She looked up at him.
“Whatever they are, tell me, babes. It’s like I said last night. This time I’m going to fight for you. No matter what you think might stand in the way, I won’t let it.”
She smiled.
“What?”
“You. Always ready to fight. You don’t need to. We already won.”
He sank his fingers in her hair and kissed her. She made him feel like he’d won. He’d won the most important fight of his life.
When he lifted his head, she smiled. “If you keep kissing me like that we won’t be going to work anytime soon.”
He chuckled. “I should probably call Dan and tell him we’ll be a while—we have to take a shower before we can go anywhere. And I don’t think you want to walk into the office in my sweats and T-shirt, do you?”
“I might. I think it’s a good look on me.” She laughed and scrambled out of bed as he chased after her.
“No way! I’m the only one who gets to see you dressed like that!”
Chapter Twenty-Five
Dan leaned back in his chair and smiled at them. “So, can I breathe easy again now?”
Leanne laughed. “You can. And you can tell Missy that I agree with her that you’re a hero.”
He waved a hand at her. “I wouldn’t go that far. I just knew that all it would take was forcing you to be in the same place for long enough.”
Ryan nodded. “Thanks, Dan. Though thank you seems like such a small thing to say.”
Dan shrugged. “I was being selfish, too, you know. I wanted you both here. I wanted you both to work with me. And I wanted to see you back together.” He smiled. “My world feels like it’s complete now.”
“Complete, and a lot less stressful once Cal comes in, right?” asked Ryan.
“Yeah.” Dan glanced at Leanne. “And you’re good with that?”
“I am.”
Ryan turned to her. “He always liked you, you know.”
She laughed. “I know. It was me that had a problem with him. I thought …” She stopped herself. She didn’t want to go there. What she’d seen last night had proved that Ryan hadn’t cheated on her, but it hadn’t explained who had sent those texts. But all that was behind them now. There was no point dragging it back up.
Ryan raised an eyebrow at her, but she shook her head. “I think he’ll be great.”
“Good because he wants to come this weekend.”
Ryan laughed. “I thought he said Monday.”
“He did. But I spoke to him again this morning and he said he’s just killing time until he comes. His decision is already made. He’s all in.”
“So,” Leanne said, “ss everything set up? Are we officially in business?”
Dan grinned. “We are. I think we should wait until the beginning of the month before we go live, but we’ll have a full caseload right out of the gate.” He checked his watch.
“Are you ready to go?” asked Ryan.
“Yeah. If we’re good?”
“We are,” said Leanne.
When Dan got to his feet, she gave him a hug. “Sorry. I had to.” She stepped back with a smile. “You’re the best, Danno.”
His eyes twinkled when he smiled. “It’s my pleasure, and I’m not just saying the words. It’s true. I’m happy for you guys, and I’m happy for me.”
They followed him out into the main office. Then Leanne went to find Donovan. She felt bad that she hadn’t made much time for him since Tuesday and it was the weekend already.
He grinned when he saw her. “How’s it going, boss lady?”
“Couldn’t be better. Though I want to apologize for abandoning you.”
He laughed. “Not a problem. I’m finding my feet. Thanks for bringing me with you. Are we going to make it official at the firm—that we’re not going back?”
“I am. Do you want to?”
“Err, yeah!”
She laughed. “Okay. We’ll put a call in on Monday morning. What are you doing this weekend?”
He grinned. “Don’t worry about me. I’m good. I’m hanging out with the guys, and Brayden introduced me to Austin—he’s a realtor, he’s going to help me find a place.” He shot a glance at Ryan who was coming toward them. “I’m glad the two of you figured it out.”
She smiled. “Thanks. I am, too.”
Ryan came and slung his arm around her shoulders and grinned at Donovan. “Are you coming to the Boathouse tomorrow night?”
She was surprised to see the look they exchanged.
“I’ll be there.”
She looked up at Ryan. “Am I invited?”
He laughed. “Of course, you are. I thought you knew. Everyone’s meeting up for dinner.”
She rolled her eyes at Donovan. “Get this guy. He’s organizing my social life for me already.”
Donovan laughed. “Don’t look at me. I’m not getting in the middle of it. You both scare me.”
Ryan laughed. “Well, now you know you don’t need to be scared. But I appreciate that you were willing to step up for Lee like that—when she still thought I was the big bad wolf.”
She laughed and pushed at his arm. “I didn’t ask Donovan to protect me from you. I’m quite capable of doing that for myself.”
Ryan rolled his eyes at Donovan. “Don’t I know it. But come on. We’re heading home.”
“See you tomorrow, Donovan.”
Leanne glanced back at him as Ryan led her away and he smiled. She was glad she hadn’t needed his help with Ryan in the way she’d thought. But she was still glad he was here.
Ryan opened the door to his truck for her and put his hand on her ass to give her a boost as she climbed in. She turned around and slapped at his hand. “I liked it better when you used to kiss me when I got in.”
He grinned and held his hands up. “What can I say? I’ve missed your ass!”
She laughed. “Aren’t you the mad, romantic fool?”
“I am. I’ve missed your kisses, too.” He blew her a kiss. And added, “But, man, that ass!” before he closed the door.
She was still laughing when he came around and got in the driver’s side.
“Home?”
“I feel like I am.”
He leaned across the console and kissed her. “I do, too. We might have taken a roundabout route, but we’re exactly where we said we would be when I got out.”
“I guess we are, aren’t we?”
He gave her a look she couldn’t fathom. “Well, not exactly, but almost.”
“What do you mean?”
“You’ll have to wait and see.”
~ ~ ~
Ryan felt for the little box in his pocket before he pulled away. He’d been carrying it with him ever since Wednesday morning. There had been so many times over the years that he’d almost convinced himself to throw it away. But he could never make himself do it. Now, he couldn’t be happier that he’d kept it. He wanted to believe that part of him had always known.