All Summer Long (Fool's Gold #9)(93)

Charlie gave a strangled laugh. “We wouldn’t want that, would we? Fine. I’ll meet you in Times Square at three o’clock.”

“Take a cab. You don’t know the subway system and I don’t want anything to happen to you.”

“I can handle myself on the subway.”

Dominique sighed. “You’re so stubborn.”

“I get that from you, Mom.”

“I know. It’s a point of pride. See you at three.”

“Okay. I love you, Mom.”

“I love you, too, Charlie.”

Charlie hung up the phone. She’d been in New York for three days and couldn’t wait to leave. Sure it was a terrific city and her mother’s apartment was spacious, bright and had views of Central Park. But none of it was Fool’s Gold. She missed her friends, the town, the mountains and most of all, Clay.

Coming here had allowed her to catch her breath, though. She no longer cried all day. She’d even slept a little the night before. Maybe later she would order takeout and eat something. Progress, she thought. Baby steps, but still, progress.

She owed Dominique, she thought. Her mother had arranged for a private jet to fly her to New York. A town car had whisked her to the apartment. The privacy had allowed her to cry, to feel her pain and hopefully figure out a way to endure it until it faded.

Company wouldn’t be a bad thing, she thought as she walked into the guest bathroom and washed her face. They could talk, maybe go out to eat. Being around her mother was actually kind of nice. Three months ago, she would have sworn she couldn’t stand to be in the same room. Now she was looking forward to spending time with her.

She changed into a slightly less ratty shirt than the one she’d had on. She should probably put on better jeans. Dominique was always dressed so nice. But it would take more effort than Charlie could manage. Later, when they’d come back here, Dominique would guilt her into different clothes. She would face the issue then.

A little after two, she left the building and decided to walk. It was a crisp, clear fall day. The leaves had started to change and all of the city was vibrant with reds and golds, and pumpkins on window ledges and in doorways.

She went south on Broadway and saw the triangular shape that was Times Square. She walked toward the Starbucks. There was a large Sephora nearby, but it was the toy store that made her want to stop and look around. With so many of her friends having babies, toys were going to be a big part of her gift buying.

“Hello, Charlie.”

The familiar voice caused her to spin until she found herself looking into Clay’s handsome face. His eyes were warm, his mouth smiling. Her stomach flipped and her breath all rushed out. For a second the world seemed to tilt as she wondered if she was going to faint.

“What are you doing here?” she asked.

“Waiting for you.”

Her mind was thick and uncomprehending. “I’m meeting my mother.”

“No, you’re meeting me. She helped me set this up.”

Dominique wasn’t in New York? “I don’t understand.”

He took her hands in his and stared into her face. “I’m sorry. I’m so sorry. I was wrong and selfish and I hurt you. I didn’t want to. I wasn’t thinking about you or anyone except myself. I was scared, Charlie. So damned scared. That fire. You could have died.”

She didn’t know what he was talking about. Part of her wanted to hope but the broken bits hurt too much.

“I’m not making sense, am I?” he asked, then released her only to turn her gently. “Look,” he said, pointing at the massive electronic billboard in Times Square.

The picture shifted. Lights went on and off, finally reassembling in a picture. A photo of the two of them, together.

Clay was beautiful, she thought, staring at the image of him twenty or thirty feet high. His face, his smile. Then she blinked, not sure she was seeing what looked like—

“I love you,” he told her, standing behind her, his arms wrapped around her. “Can you see it? I should have realized it sooner. I should have known you’d get to me. I should have been prepared. But I thought I knew how love happened. I didn’t know it was also something that could grow from friendship and respect. I wasn’t looking, so I didn’t see what was right in front of me.”

He turned her toward him. “I love you, Charlie. I’m sorry I got scared, but I won’t again. I’m here for you. I want to be with you always. I want to marry you and give you those babies you were talking about. Please give me a chance. Please say you still love me.”

She stared at him, afraid to believe but knowing she would never let him take the words back.

“I’m a forever kind of guy,” he murmured, right before he kissed her. “That’s how long I want.”

“Me, too,” she whispered and pressed her mouth to his.

They were still kissing when the billboard lights changed to three words.

Marry Me, Charlie.

Around them the crowd started cheering. People were yelling.

“Did she say yes?”

“Are they here?”

“What did she say?”

“I’ll marry him if she doesn’t.”

Charlie raised her head and laughed. “Sorry,” she said, staring into his eyes. “He’s taken.”