Page 39 (2/2)

"For what?"

"For bailing on you"

Confused, she frowned at him "You showed up today Even with a car accident My God, Drew, you ran three blocks"

"Not that The advertising caa for soaze to hers "I blaed "Because you were as convenient an excuse as anything else So the season is bad luck"

"Oh And you think I’ like that"

"Okay" So this was his breakup conversation At least she was getting honesty from him, a reason behind his recent behavior It didn’t make a whole lot of sense to her, but it was better than a disappearing act with no explanation

"The problem was, it wasn’t you It was all me" He pointed to his temple "It was all inroad garasped her hand "I’m sorry I let you down, Lina I’m sorry I wasn’t there for you when you needed ive me"

Oh So it wasn’t a breakup conversation It was an apology, and one she hadn’t expected froive"

"I know you had to scramble to find someone else to do the photo shoot"

"Drew, I--"

"I know it caest debut of your life"

"Drew, really, I--"

"And that makes me the shittiest boyfriend in the world"

Boyfriend? He’d called himself her boyfriend? They’d never once defined their relationship

"You’re uy who’s in love with you Whatever you want to call me, I suck at it"

She shuddered in a breath He loved her? "You love me?"

"Shit I told you I suck at this" He took her hand "Yes I love you I should have told you sooner, Lina Not that I deserve to have your love after what I did to you I wasn’t there for you when you needed ain I’ive me for that?"

She was so overcome by his words that all she could do was stare at hiht it would You could say soo fk hed "I’m sorry I was just stunned there for a s that are tough and emotional, and sometimes we take them out on the people we care about the most First, I haven’t done the photo shoot yet"

"You haven’t?"

"No I decided to delay it until after Fashion Week I did find someone else to do the shoot, but Drew, no one could replace you Not in my head I could only see you in those shots You’reyou’d come around and maybe that’s why I delayed it until after the show I kept hoping you’d change your mind"

He lifted her hands and kissed thehed "No, you’re not Okay, sometimes you are Sometimes I am, too I can be self-absorbed and too intothat has consumed me for the past several months, sometimes to the detriment of my oork, has been you I’m in love with you, Drew I think about you all the tiot up and came around to her side of the table, then pulled her into his arms and laid a kiss on her that left her breathless and dizzy And despite being in a public restaurant, he continued to kiss her, fra her face with his hands, until she was certain that he was most definitely in love with her, because no enuine feelings for her Because there was suddenly applause and catcalls and whistles, and when he pulled away, he ignored the only on her as he s as if this day couldn’t possibly get any better "I love you, too, Drew"

The waiter brought her food Funnily enough, her near starvation of a few o had dissipated But she ate anyhile Dreatched her

"You’re watching me eat," she said

"Yeah So?"

"It’s a little disconcerting"

He picked up the fork and scooped rice onto it "Now I’ you Better?"

He slid the fork between her lips She closed herher mouth

"Now it just looks dirty"

"Stop, or you’ll hed, pushed him away, and finished her meal They left the restaurant and went back to her apartaht"

"Road gaame New Jersey"

He helped her with her coat She turned to face hiether"

He slipped his ar since ere together I’ve missed you"

"I missed you, too Now kiss me, undress ave her a wickedly sexy half sed at her insides and turned her into mush

He brushed his lips over hers, then pressed harder, opening her ue over hers She wound her hand around the nape of his neck to draw hi his hands, his ed that was e his hands over her body as if he were exploring her for the first tis into overdrive Her niles peaked hard and tingled as he wound his hands down her sides and over her butt

He dragged his lips over her jaw and across her neck, his hand roa up her back to reach for the zipper on her dress She shivered as he pulled the zipper down