Page 114 of A Real Good Bad Thing

And I’d let her get away.

“When you left me,” I said, “I realized you’re what’s most precious to me. You’re…everything.”

“Jake,” she said, softly.

Holy hell, was that a glimmer of hope?

I took another gamble, stepping closer to her, still speaking my heart. “I fell in love with you, Ruby. And I want to keep loving you. Please let me love you.”

There. That was all I could do.

Her eyes shone with emotion. “You,” she said, frustrated but affectionate at the same time.

“Me?” I asked, hopefully. Happiness surged through me, but I sternly warned myself that I hadn’t won her yet.

“You make it so hard to be mad at you,” she said, scowling, almost petulant.

“Do you want to be mad at me?” I teased.

“I did,” she muttered. Then she shook her head. “But I don’t. I can’t.” She gave a shuddering sigh. “I missed you.”

Three glorious words, and they felt like sunshine. I drank her in, the golden-blonde hair, the ocean-blue gaze, the adorable constellation of freckles on her nose. I wanted to kiss them all.

Most of all, I wanted to earn her.

“Give me another chance,” I urged, gentle but firm.

She closed the remaining few inches between us, uncrossed her arms, and cupped my cheeks in her hands. “I love you too,” she whispered.

Then nothing else mattered in the world but her.

I reached for her, unable to resist touching her warm skin. “I’m so in love with you.”

In seconds, her arms were around my neck, and her lips were on mine, and all the past was erased in a kiss that marked this starting over. Tender and warm, it melted my heart.

She broke the kiss and pressed her forehead to mine, keeping her arms laced around me. “I’m so glad you’re here, and I can’t wait to see you back home in Florida. And maybe to see you again in your room tonight?” She lifted a naughty brow.

“Makeup sex is a promise,” I said.

Then her gaze drifted to my hand holding the bag. Curiosity sparked and spread across her face. Right. Yes. My plan for the day.

I’d realized from the start that if my words didn’t win her back, this gift wouldn’t win her over either. I would have given it to her anyway, but now we could both enjoy it.

I offered it to her. “You left this in my room,” I said. “But I made a small addition.”

Her eyes widened, and she eagerly reached into the bag and pulled out a chocolate bar, laughing. “I left a chocolate bar in the room?”

I shrugged with a sheepish smile. “I’ve heard that chocolate goes well with apologies.”

“And remembered that Ghirardelli is my favorite.”

I grinned at her delight. “The real gift is in the little bag.”

“Oh?” Her tone turned serious as she fished inside the canvas tote and pulled out a blue velvet pouch.

“I had this made for you. Today,” I said, nerves racing, worried I’d overstepped.

Ruby tugged on the bag’s drawstring, dipped two fingers inside, and pulled out a silver necklace with a small charm.