by Julie Kenner
She nodded, just one tiny tilt of her chin, but he noticed, and his smile bloomed wide.
Home.
He was staying home. With her.
He loved her.
“Claire Daniels,” he said into the microphone. “This club is dedicated to you. Because I didn’t know heaven until I met you.” He found her eyes, held them. “I love you. Now will you come cut the ribbon?”
The request surprised her, but the people nearby were more than happy to urge her forward. She reached the podium, and Ty reached out, doing nothing more than brushing the tips of his fingers over her hand. It was enough to melt her.
“You’re really staying?” she whispered.
“I’m really staying.”
“Why?”
“Because I love you. And because this is home.”
“But your childhood. Your parents.”
He lifted a shoulder. “Nuisances. It’s home,” he added, firmly. “It’s home, because you’re here.”
She wanted to melt under his words, but instead let him help her stand steady.
Then he passed her the scissors, and as the crowd applauded like crazy, she cut the tape that blocked the front door, then stepped aside to let the crowd move in, right into Ty’s waiting arms.
“You’re sure?”
“I’ve never been more sure,” he said. “Although I’ll confess I don’t want the house I put the deposit on. I have a different place in mind. It’s got these really great stained concrete floors.”
She laughed. “That’s a popular place, but I have an in with the owner. I bet we can accommodate you.”
“Good.”
“You could have just talked to me alone,” she said. “You didn’t have to do this. In front of everybody, I mean. You told the whole world about us.”
“Is that bad?”
She thought about it and shook her head. “No.”
“Good. Because I needed the world to know that you’re mine. And,” he added, before brushing a kiss across her lips, “that I’m yours, too. I love you, Claire,” he said. “And I always will.”
Then, as the crowd applauded and cameras flashed, he kissed her, hard, under the soft glow of a shining, full moon.
And that, thought Claire, was one for the blogs.
ISBN-13: 9781460340660
Moonstruck
© 2010 Julie Kenner
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