“It’s just hair,” he said, grinning. “It would take a lot more than that to make you look bad. And anyway, it’ll grow back.”
“I look like an orange wicked witch.”
He laughed and shook his head, “No, Kara is the wicked witch. I’m so sorry I didn’t realize what she was like. Can you forgive me?”
“Sure, but...”
“But what?”
“Well, Kara mentioned something about you going back to Los Angeles to get a job.”
“Don’t believe anything she said. I’m not going to Los Angeles. Don’t worry. I’m staying right here in New York City.”
“Okay, but don’t you need to move somewhere in order to move up?” Grace sat up straight, holding herself stiff and unyielding with a scrutinizing gaze as she awaited his answer.
Brad considered how he should respond. He knew she wouldn’t want to stay in a long-term relationship if he left the city, and he loved New York. He had no desire to leave, especially since his brother was making noise about moving there. In fact, he knew he had a good chance of eventually making chief of the Emergency Medicine Department at Mercy General. Most people assumed Josh would eventually snag the job, but he knew Josh had become enamored with surgery and had plans to work a few years in emergency medicine before doing a cardiac surgery residency. This was privileged information, and he couldn’t share the secret with Grace. But all he really needed to do was assure Grace he wouldn’t move away from New York City.
“I might be able to move up at Mercy General.”
“But what if the only way you could advance was to move somewhere.”
“Look, I don’t want to scare you again by ta
lking about us in the long term. But if we stay together, I promise not to move from New York City.”
“But that’s the thing, I’m telling you I’d be willing to move if we stayed together.” Grace’s eyes were wide and she had a stubborn tilt to her chin.
“But Grace, you wouldn’t be happy if you left the city—all of your family is here.”
“I’m telling you, I’d be fine. I would even move to Los Angeles if I needed to.” Why did she look so frantic? Why was she so concerned he would break up with her and leave the city?
“No Grace, you wouldn’t be happy, at least not in the long term. But I understand that, and I would never ask you to leave. I’m not planning to break up with you for any reason. I’ll keep working at Mercy General. If I get an offer from some other city, I won’t accept it. In fact, I had a good offer last month and turned it down.”
“But what if it was your dream job? What if it was exactly what you wanted? What if it was the best job in the country, with really good pay and really good hours? Then you would need to move somewhere, and I’m telling you I’m perfectly willing to move. I could Skype with my family every day. I would be happy. You don’t have to sacrifice your happiness for mine.”
Now her eyes were shimmering with tears and her breathing was rapid. Why was she so upset about this issue? He had to reassure her somehow. He reached out his hand to cup her jaw gently, smoothing her tightened lips with his thumb until he felt them relax. He gradually slid his hand around to the back of her head and pulled her forward as he leaned in to place a chaste kiss on her soft, pliant lips. He willed her to feel all the assurance and security he could give her in the promise of his kiss. He held his passion in check. Perhaps the hair mishap had made her feel more insecure. She mustn’t think his sentiments were built on base, physical desire and attraction. She needed to know his feelings wouldn’t change if she gained weight or changed her hair. He put all of his love and devotion into the caress of lips against hers.
He could sense when the tension left her body and she began to lean into him, responding with a sincere, urgent passion. His heart exulted. He’d done it—he’d broken the anxious barrier she’d erected. Her lips parted, and he heard the faintest of whimpers. He deepened the kiss, unable to resist her earnest invitation. Her hands rose to lock around his neck, holding tight as if to keep him from moving away. When he felt her tongue teasing tentatively against his, he couldn’t help the groan that erupted from his chest. He could feel his hunger building into a threatening tidal wave, and he broke the kiss before he lost control. But instead of pulling away, he wrapped his arms around her and pulled her trembling body into a sweet embrace.
Holding her as his heart pounded against her and her breathing began a gradual slowing from frantic pants, he chuckled. “Wow Grace, I have to fight with every ounce of strength to keep control with you.”
“Me too,” she whispered, with her head still relaxed against his chest.
“So we’re good right?” Brad spoke the words into her hair. “You just need to know, as long as we’re together, I won’t even consider taking a job away from New York. I won’t apply and I won’t look at any other offers. No matter what. Even if it’s my dream job. Okay? So just quit worrying.”
As he spoke the words he felt her stiffen in his arms, and he heard a small sob escape her lips. How did he mess up this time?”
Chapter Seven
“She refuses to talk to me,” Olivia told Brad when she returned downstairs. She saw the hope drain from his expression, and she felt a wave of sympathy. “What happened?”
Kara had left, albeit unwillingly. Josh and Ben, who volunteered for the duty when Brad had interrupted dessert in a panic, begging for help, had escorted her home.
“I have no idea what happened.” Brad rubbed his hand on the top of his head, pulling in frustration at the cropped hair. “One minute everything was fine, and the next minute she told me we couldn’t see each other anymore.”
“Did you scare her off? Were you talking about marriage again?”
“No, I swear! I didn’t even say the word love. She seemed really worried I might want to leave New York City. I thought I had her convinced I wouldn’t move.”