“I missed you.” I probably should have led with something cool and breezy, but the confession just slipped out. Besides, with the emotions raging through me, I didn’t think I could achieve breezy if my life depended on it.

He moved closer, and closer, and then I was in his arms, and I couldn’t see anything beyond the tears filling my eyes, blurring the world around me.

He didn’t kiss me. Instead, he held me in his embrace as though he was afraid that if he let go, I’d disappear.

“I missed you, too,” he whispered, his voice rough. “So much.”

I pulled back slightly so I could see his face, needing to read the emotions in his eyes so I could understand.

“Why are you here? Why now?”

“I woke the fuck up.” His eyes clouded. “I’m so sorry. You were right all along. I should have believed in us. In the me I am when I’m with you. I should have known that we would be better together. I was trying to do the right thing, and I was wrong. I’m sorry.

“I’m sorry I let you go. I should have fought for you. I should have realized I was throwing away the best thing that had ever happened to me. I was scared, and I thought I was doing the right thing, thought that I needed to give you a chance to find someone who was better for you than I was.”

“I wanted you.”

He swallowed. “I know. I should have listened to you. I did what I thought was best for you without listening to you when you told me what you wanted. I was wrong, and I’m so sorry.”

I swallowed past the lump in my throat. “What now?”

He brushed a strand of hair from my face. “Well, I heard you were looking for a fresh start. That you might be interested in leaving D.C.”

Surprise filled me. “Where did you hear that?”

“Your sisters.”

“Kate and Jackie talked to you?”

He nodded. “Kate apologized for Capital Confessions. And I think she and Jackie wanted to see for themselves that I was good enough for you.”

That sounded like Kate.

“And?”

“And they both told me that I was an idiot if I let you go, so I figured they approved. And they were right.” He released me and ran a hand down his jaw, his expression nervous.

“I’m thinking of moving to Boston,” he announced. “I need a fresh start. For the second time,” he added. “The press here is a bit more than I’d like if I’m going to go into private practice again.”

I froze. “You’re going back to private practice?”

He nodded. “I have a friend from law school who runs his own firm. He’s looking to take on a partner. Illinois and Massachusetts have reciprocity, so it’s not like I’ll have to retake the bar or anything.”

Boston wasn’t that far. I mean long distance would be a pain, but we could make it work. I understood his reasons for wanting to leave town better than anyone.

“I want you to come with me.”

What?

“To Boston?”

He nodded. “If Boston doesn’t work for you, we can find something else. Kate and Jackie mentioned that you’re looking for a job. There are a ton of nonprofits in the city, but if you want to go somewhere else, I’ll go with you. I just want to be with you. It doesn’t matter where.”

I was so ready for a change. I needed one. And I saw the life he offered me—could imagine coming home from work and cooking dinner for us, cuddling on the couch, falling asleep in his arms. This was my happy.

“If you don’t want to leave, we won’t,” he added. “But if you’re looking to start over, to get free of all of this political shit, I’ll be there with you. I love you.” His voice cracked. “You’re my home.”

A tear slid down my cheek.

“I love you, too.” I answered, my mind made up from the first moment I saw him standing in front of me. “Yes. I’ll go to Boston with you.”

“You’re sure?”

More tears fell. “Yes, I’m sure.”

I shook my head, emotion pouring through me with each word that left his lips.

“I want you. Only you. We work in a way that I’ve never worked with anyone else. Just love me.”

“I’ll spend every single day of our lives loving you,” he vowed.

Gray pulled me into his arms, his mouth finding mine, and gave me everything, his kiss, his heart, my future.

I kissed him on the sidewalk, on a busy street, in the middle of D.C., in the light, not caring who saw us or what they thought.

It was the best kiss we’d ever had.

Epilogue

This blogger has just received some documents that will make several members of a certain intelligence committee cringe. Ready for the latest scandal to rock D.C.? You’ll hear about it here first  . . .

—Capital Confessions blog

Blair

Six Months Later

“Hi honey, I’m home,” I called out, shutting the front door behind me.

The sound of nails clattering across the hardwood floors hit me first, followed by the sight of a ball of fur hurtling toward me. I bent down and scooped the puppy up, letting her shower me with kisses.

Our town house in Boston had a small courtyard, and I’d always wanted a puppy, so a trip to the shelter had been a priority once we’d settled in. Her name was Gabby, and she’d been abandoned in a box behind a restaurant with four of her siblings. She was a Lab mix with a penchant for chewing on my heels, and her favorite activity was playing fetch with Gray in the park. We both adored her.

I set Gabby down, placing my keys and papers on the table near the entryway. I kicked off my shoes, shrugging out of my jacket, and went in search of Gray. I froze as soon as I hit the dining room.

The lights were off, candles lit on the table, soft music playing through the speakers. I grinned as I recognized the opening strains of “All I Ask of You” from Phantom of the Opera. It was half private joke, half our song, and totally us.

Gray stood next to the table, his tie and jacket off, the top button of his shirt undone, two glasses in hand, his feet bare. I didn’t drink in the house since I didn’t want to give him the added temptation, and by the look of things, he’d bought some kind of sparkling nonalcoholic drink. Seriously loved him.

“Happy anniversary.”

I blinked.

“What?”

He grinned, walking over to me and pressing a soft kiss against my cheek.

“It’s been a year since we met. Since the first day of classes when I saw you.”

Ohmigod.

So it had.

I wasn’t sure I would ever get used to how sweet he was. I’d seen pieces of it when I was falling in love with him, but it only grew the longer we were together. It was as though our relationship gave him the confidence to let his guard down and finally let me in.

It was better than I’d imagined.

We’d moved to Boston in March. Five months later, I still loved it. I’d been back to D.C. a few times to visit my family and friends, but it felt good to spend time with them and then return home with a buffer between us. I loved them, but Boston had become a sanctuary of sorts for me, and I couldn’t deny that I loved that, too.

“Happy anniversary,” I whispered, leaning in again for another kiss.

Gray nodded toward the table. “I ordered takeout. I figured it was safer than me trying to cook.”

I grinned. “I concur.”

This was my favorite tradition we’d started since we moved to Boston—eating dinner together and talking about our days. We didn’t manage it every day; there were still the odd times that one or both of us had to work late, but we made a point to be home to spend time together.

“So how was your day?” he asked after we’d sat down, digging into the salad I recognized from one of my favorite restaurants in the North End.

“Good. Busy. I’m working on a new proposal for more funding. We’re hoping to expand the center soon.”

I’d gotten a job working in children and family services for a small nonprofit. It was the perfect fit for me and I loved getting to work with the kids. Surprisingly, I’d even been able to put some of the things I’d learned in law school to use. Gray volunteered sometimes—hanging out with the kids or offering pro bono legal services.