I should have changed, I thought, as I walked into a conference room buzzing with journalists and photographers. At least my hair looked good, I thought, pushing the brown waves over my shoulder, realizing my hands were shaking. Oh god, what was I doing? Being brave, I hoped. Smoothing down my plain gray T-shirt and rubbing my suddenly damp palms on my worn, but thankfully freshly washed jeans, I scanned the room for a familiar face.

And there was Mandy, sitting towards the front with Chris. When she saw me, her face lit up like a Christmas tree and she gave Chris a nudge. He glanced back and his smile was just as broad. Some of the nervousness in my stomach subsided as they rushed over to me, both enveloping me in a hug at the same time.

“I was afraid you weren’t going to come.” Mandy was practically vibrating with excitement.

“I just got your letter,” I informed her as she began to fiddle with my hair. “Are you grooming me?” I asked, both amused and grateful.

“Oh no,” she assured me, but had opened her purse and pulled out a tube of lip gloss and mascara, which she handed to me and I immediately took. “I just thought you might want a touch-up.”

I laughed and leaned down to watch myself in the compact mirror as I applied the shimmering gloss and much-needed pop to my unadorned eyes. At least I hadn’t been crying that morning and I looked clean and fresh, not puffy and sad. But still, even the last-minute makeup couldn’t hide the nervousness written all over my face.

“Take a deep breath,” Mandy demanded, and I did. It was going to be the first time I saw Nathan since our fight and I hadn’t prepared at all. In fact, the only thing I had been preparing for in the past few weeks was the possibility that my heart was going to be completely and irrevocably broken for the rest of my life. I knew I was being dramatic, but I had fallen hard and fast for this guy and right now, his romantic note in my pocket, and I was hoping that he was ready to return those feelings.

“It’s going to be fine,” Chris added, putting a big, strong hand on my shoulder. “Dude’s been miserable since you left.”

I shouldn’t have been glad at that information but considering I had spent our time apart shoveling ice cream into my mouth and crying at my favorite romantic movies, I felt those feelings of pain were only fair considering the circumstances.

“He kept asking about you,” Mandy confessed. “Only he wouldn’t do it directly. He kept asking about the article, trying to be all subtle, but totally failing. He was completely surprised when I told him you weren’t doing the piece on him anymore.”

“I tried to tell him,” I explained, but Mandy just shrugged.

“Men.”

“Hey!” Chris objected. “I don’t think that’s fair.”

“How long did it take you to ask me out?” she reminded him. “And who had to prompt you to do it?”

Chris looked appropriately sheepish. “OK, I guess you’re right.”

“And that’s why I love you,” she responded, her face immediately going red. “Uh, I mean…” she muttered, looking down at the ground.

My eyes widened. Had she just said “I love you” for the first time? Oh my god! I moved back so Chris could act accordingly and thankfully he did.

He immediately took her into his arms.

“I love you too, Mandy,” he told her and gave her a sweet kiss. She giggled in his arms, her eyes moist and her face glowing with happiness.

I felt myself getting a little teary at the romantic gesture, and when I turned away to give them some privacy, I found myself face-to-face with a pair of Ryder green eyes.

“We were hoping you’d come,” Nathan’s mom Sara said, before sweeping me into a hug. I hugged her back, needing the comfort and security of a mom right now. Any mom would do.

“I think Nathan wanted me here,” I told her, holding up the piece of paper that Mandy had sent me with the photographs. At least, I hoped that what he had intended.

“Of course he did,” Sara took my arm and led me to the front row where she and her family were seated. They all greeted me with the same warmth and excitement that Sara had and I took a seat, feeling both welcome and nervous.

“How is he?” I asked Matt, Nathan’s dad, who was next to me.

“He’s good.” He gave me a smile. “A little grumpy, but I’m pretty sure that will change the moment he sees you.”

“He missed you.” Sara leaned towards me.

“Oh,” I said needlessly. Before I could say anything else, the entire room broke out into whispers and cameras began flashing all around us.

Sara took my hand and gave it a squeeze. “Here we go.” Her face was bright with motherly pride. I felt my own heart swell, knowing how huge this moment was for Nathan and his family.

But that same heart stopped when he stepped out onto the stage looking like he had just stepped straight out of a fantasy I never knew I had.

I had seen him in his uniform, in everyday clothes, and in the buff (my personal favorite, to be honest) but I had never seen him in a suit before. My pulse skipped as he crossed in front of me, the gray fabric perfectly molded to his body. And what a body it was, I thought, remembering the marble-cut muscles of his stomach, arms, and chest. If I was lucky, I would be taking that same beautiful suit off this evening and worshipping the body hidden beneath.

Nathan took a seat next to two other men, who I could only assume were his manager and press agent. Those green eyes of his scanned the crowd, and the tension on his face lifted when he found the row where his family was seated. And then his eyes found mine.

The entire room seemed to fade away, the flashing lights and chattering voices disappearing. For a moment it was just him and me, the two of us sharing this moment together. And I knew, without him saying anything, that I belonged here, that I belonged in the audience with his family, here to witness this incredibly important moment of his life. And I knew, without a single doubt, that I belonged with him.

He looked so handsome sitting up there, that gray suit begging to be stripped off, those lips begging to be kissed. Next time I would be patient. I would take my time with him.

His press agent raised a hand and the noise hushed to a murmur.

“We are happy to announce that Nathan Ryder has accepted an offer to join the Houston Astros as a starting pitcher for the upcoming season.”

The room erupted in applause, immediately followed by the scrambling of journalists, calling their questions out to the stage.

“Nathan! Are you excited to be returning to your hometown?”

“Nathan! How does your family feel about this new opportunity?”

“How do you feel about the Astros coach?”

“Are you worried you’re too inexperienced to be a starting pitcher?”

“Do you think the other players will welcome you onto the team?”

“How soon will you be moving back to Houston?”

“Nathan! How will this affect your personal life? You’re going to be a big star!”

He leaned forward into the microphone and the room quieted again.

“I’m incredibly grateful and excited for this opportunity. While Austin has been nothing but wonderful and supportive of me as a player, I am looking forward to returning to Houston, which will always be home to me.”

Clearly his manager had him prepare a speech. Very smart.

“I won’t be answering any questions today, but I will be holding a fundraiser for the Austin Animal Shelter next month and all of you are welcome to come—and donate. Raising money for my favorite charity tends to put me in a talkative mood.” He glanced at me when he said that and gave me a wink. “Thank you all again for your support, and I’ll see you in Houston.”

There was an audible groan of disappointment as Nathan waved and stood, following his manager and press agent off the stage with flashbulbs popping all around him.

“Come on.” Nathan’s mom grabbed my arm, pulling me to my feet. “We’re going to meet him backstage.”

“It’s called the greenroom, Mom.” Maureen shook her head fondly.

“Whatever,” Sara waved her off. “Nathan is expecting us.” She looked at me. “All of us.”

* * *

By the time we pushed through the crowd and got past security, Nathan was already surrounded by a swarm of people. I watched with amusement as Chris crashed through all of them and grabbed Nathan in a huge bear hug, somehow managing to lift his six-foot-two friend off the floor and give him a big shake. Mandy was next, not as dramatic, but no less enthusiastic with her congratulations. Then Nathan’s family descended on him, wrapping him in hugs and proud smiles. I could see Sara wiping the tears from her cheeks as she cradled his face in her hands.

I wanted nothing more than to join the fray, but I knew it wasn’t my turn yet. That Nathan, when he was ready, would find me.

I didn’t have to wait long before those green eyes found mine. The crowd seemed to part as he came over to me, the room once again fading into nothingness as he swept me into his arms, claiming my mouth with a kiss.

Oh I had missed this, I thought, as I kissed him back, trying to put everything I had to say into that kiss. I vaguely heard the sound of cheers, but I ignored them, focusing on the wonderful, perfect feeling of his mouth against mine.

When we finally broke apart, Nathan’s eyes were starry and I’m sure mine were too.

“Hi,” he managed.

“Hi.” I smiled up at him.

“You came.”

I held up his note. “How could I not?”

He grinned. “I’m very glad you did, Ms. Hall, since we never really got that final interview.”

The cheeky bastard, I thought. But I could play along. “I’m glad you reminded me, Mr. Ryder.” I put my hands on my hips, enjoying the way his eyes drifted down the length of my body. My clothes might not have been new or fancy, but they fit me exactly right. “Am I to assume these answers will all be off the record?”

“Actually.” Nathan took my hands. “I was thinking I would be the one asking the question this time. Entirely on the record.”

My heart was in my throat.

“Sophie Hall.” He was completely serious now. “I love you.”

“That’s not a question,” I told him, my heart racing in my chest.

He smiled at me. “No, but I wanted to say that part first. My question is—Sophie Hall, will you move in with me?”

I was speechless, but he wasn’t done.

“I know we’ve just met and there’s a lot we still need to learn about each other, but I can’t think of anything I want more than to come home to you every day and spend each night with you in my arms. So what do you say?” He looked adorably nervous.

I cleared my throat. “This is on the record, right?”

He nodded.

I flashed him a huge grin. “Yes! Of course, yes!”

Then his mouth came down upon mine and the rest of the world disappeared as I kissed the man I loved.