Chapter 9

9

MATTHEW

" M y old boss. He wants to offer me my old position back."

I'm back in the truck, white-knuckling the steering wheel, my mind racing, my pulse pounding wildly in my temples.

I don't know what to think or feel at first, but then, I realize I tried to clip her wings and imprison her in this town by proposing even before she's ready. No, fuck. I won't do that to her again. I won't put her in that position and lay the blame on her.

If she wants to go back, I will go with her. My general manager, Jack, can take care of everything here and just send me earnings from the different buildings I own in town, plus the ranch.

In case she wants to leave ASAP, I can promise to follow her in three days. I still need to close up the cabin, maybe turn it into a rental, or let Milo borrow it. Goldie's definitely coming with me. Dan and I can look for a two-bedroom apartment near her office. That way, it won't be such a long commute.

I can find new things to occupy my time, maybe open a furniture shop if that's a thing there. These aren't final, of course, but one thing's for sure, I'm not going to just sit here and watch her leave.

I'm still going through some plans when the door opens, and Dani slides onto the passenger seat. "Hey, Matt."

"Hey." My throat is dry, like someone rubbed sandpaper on it. Why am I scared and nervous? Is she about to say she's leaving … alone? Or is there something else? I did leave after hearing her say her company wanted her back.

"You heard us?" she asks, eyes searching my face.

"I did. Congratulations, Dan. You're amazing, and it's stupid of them to take this long to realize how valuable you are in their company."

She laughs softly and tucks a stray hair behind her ear. "Matt…"

"When are you leaving? Because the earliest I can leave is three days. There's still stuff I need to?—"

Dan touches her parted lips. "Wait, what?"

"Wait. You don't want me to go with you?"

Her eyebrows squish together, and she tugs on her ear. "I am so confused right now, Matt. Don't you hate the city?"

"Hate is a strong word, Dan. I don't like it, but if you do, it might eventually grow on me too."

When she realizes what I'm trying to tell her, her eyebrows shoot to her hairline. "Matt, are you … telling me that the whole time I was still inside, you've been making plans to follow me?"

I have no idea where this conversation is going, but what the hell. "Yeah, why?"

"But the cabin…"

"I can turn it into a rental place or let Milo use it."

"Goldie…"

"She's coming with me, obviously."

"Matt…"

Something flares in my chest, and a heavy weight settles on my stomach. "Unless you don't want me to. Jesus Christ, here I go, making the decisions again for you without asking you what you want. I'm sorry, Dan. Fuck, that was?—"

"I'm not going."

I'm feeling so dumb and stupid right now. "What?"

Dan rests a palm on my chest and smiles. "I'm staying here for good."

"What about your work?"

She pins me with a look. "They were willing to let me go when the manager's nephew breezed in with nothing but his connections, and now they want me to go fix his mess? Good fucking luck."

I howl with laughter, relief washing over me in waves. "Didn't you tell that girl with red hair in high school the same exact words?"

She smirks, a smug look on her face. "I did when she said she'd make you leave me for her."

I grab her closer to me and kiss her like I'm about to lose her. "I love you, Dan. God, I fucking love you. I never stopped."

"Good because I love you too. My life is here. It just took me a while to realize that."