“No. I was the issue for me. I mean, I’m sorry I didn’t tell you about my life and my dad sooner. I shouldn’t have been ashamed of—”
“No.” He brought the glasses over and handed her one. “That’s not the issue.”
“No?”
“No. I was the issue. I didn’t understand how important it was that you did tell me. It was a big risk for you, a huge show of trust in me. I took it the opposite way, and I was wrong.”
“Oh. So...” She frowned at him. “What’s the issue?”
“As far as I’m concerned, Allie, there isn’t one.” He leaned in to kiss her, a slow, sweet kiss that made her heart rise up and threaten to spill over like champagne poured too quickly.
Allie looked up into his handsome face, so close in the dimming light, completely undone. “Oh my goodness.”
“Yes.” He held her gaze, and this time she felt totally at ease. He could look inside her and see whatever he wanted. “I agree.”
“With what?”
“What you said.”
“What did I say?”
“You said―” he took her champagne, set it on the kitchen table “―that we are really, really good together, and that after this somewhat bumpy start, we should be thinking about getting serious.”
Allie put a hand to her chest. “I said that?”
“Uh-huh.” He drew her into his arms, bending her back in the crook of his elbow, and kissed her until she became somehow disconnected from the planes and right angles of her regular life.
“Wait, wait.” She pressed a finger to his lips to stop his next kiss. “There is an issue. I just remembered it.”
“What?”
She pointed between them. “Boston, you, New York, me. You have a job and I just accepted one.”
“What job?”
Allie looked at him in concern. “The one I was just offered.”
“No, I don’t have a job.”
Her eyes shot wide. “You don’t have a job?”
“I submitted my resignation, effective immediately.” He drew her close, his hand at the back of her head, kissing her temple and ear. “Right after they fired me.”
Allie drew back again. “They fired you?”
“I told them what I thought.” He chuckled and took her hands. “You and Sandra were right. Telling the truth is very freeing.”
“So...so...” Allie was unable to take the next logical step.
“So I’m not anchored in Boston.” He started kissing each of her fingers. “Though it would be the best place for me to start a new company. You can decide what you want to do.”
She managed to tear her eyes away from his lips on her skin. “Well I mean it’s not really a decision. I accepted the other job. I start a week from today.”
“Or...” He took her hands and clasped them at the back of his neck, moving her flush against him.
“Or what?” she whispered.
“Or you can call them up and say ‘sorry, I got a better offer.’”
Allie moved back from his descending mouth. “Okay, but...I haven’t gotten one yet.”
“Give me a minute.”
“Oh.” Her voice sounded very small. Butterflies invaded her stomach in enormous quantities and fluttered up a tornado. She had no idea what to expect, but she had a feeling it was going to be big.
“Allie McDonald, I am offering you my condo to move into, to see how it goes for us until we decide to buy our own house.”
“You want to—” Her mouth dropped open. “Our own house? What?”
“Hmm.” He frowned. “That didn’t go over so well, huh.”
“No, I’m just. Wow. I mean, I didn’t expect—” She broke off and clasped her hands to her cheeks, trying to take it all in. Jonas smiled, a faint curving of his beautiful lips that warmed his eyes and made her feel he absolutely adored her, and that maybe the idea didn’t seem quite as crazy as it was. “Do I have to give you an answer now?”
“No.” He lowered his mouth half an inch from hers. “There’s more.”
“Uh-oh,” she whispered. “Will I like this?”
His lips grazed hers. “I have no idea.”
“Go on.”
“Both of us will be trying to start new businesses. My place is paid for, and yes, as hideous as you are going to think this sounds, I can cover expenses while you get on your feet and—”
“No.” She drew back, shaking her head emphatically. “No, I can’t let you—”
His first kiss shut her up. His second kiss made her incapable of speaking. He dazzled and dazed her with his mouth. If they were really starting a new relationship she’d have to watch that or he’d get his way every time. “Let me finish, Allie.”
“Mmm.”
“Here’s the deal. I will make a ledger and put down every expense. If we break up, you owe me every penny back. If we get married, it’s our money anyway, and a moot point.”
“Married.” She gasped.
“Oops?” He looked at her quizzically. “Did I leave out that part?”
“Jonas!” She shoved him, laughing, feeling her face flushing, joy filling her. She had to be nearly as nuts as he was.
“Hey.” He hauled her back against him, grinning. “I would not ask you to move in with me just to try things out. This would be a serious commitment.”
“But we’re not ready for that.” She shook her head. “Are you even in love with me?”
He grimaced, squeezing his eyes shut. “Did I forget that part, too?”
Allie threw up her hands. “That’s it. You’re hopeless.”
One blue eye opened. “Did I mention Erik and I decided not to sell the house?”
She turned her back on him, her hand raised. “Stop talking. Stop now. You’re making me completely nuts.”
“Okay.” Strong arms lifted her and turned her back around. “No more talking.”