Snowflakes brushed against her nose as she walked to her office on her first day back to work. Her apartment was now clean as a whistle as sleeping wasn’t possible for her. Now it was time to go, but everything about her life felt empty.

In Miami, the sunshine had been warm and inviting. She closed her eyes and imagined Peter again.

Someone threw snow at her feet, and she opened her eyes to see the city cleaners hard at work trying to keep the roads clear. She hugged herself. This was hard.

She threw the door to work open, and no one greeted her. She proceeded to the elevator and hit the button to her office floor.

The secretary at the front desk nodded, but she spoke to someone on the phone.

Belle went to her office and saw the huge bouquet of flowers. She grabbed the card and read Peter's note, Thinking of you, always yours. Peter Morgan.

She picked up her phone to call him, but then froze. She stared at the clock. It was New Year's Eve. He was at his party. The flutters inside her grew, outweighing the emptiness as she thought she'd tell him she loved him too.

She had a chance with him.

This job offered a big office with no one in her life. This wasn't the best choice. She turned on her heels, flung open her door, and almost ran into the senior partner.

He said, "We're so happy to have you back."

Peter loved her. Leaving him for this cold place was the stupidest thing she had ever done. She needed to throw her arms around him and be willing to change.

"I'm not staying. I have a plane to catch."

Her boss nodded, but then asked, "Why? Are you needed for a deposition or something?"

She'd not lose out on love a second time because she had to work. Her shoulders felt surprisingly light as she said, "No. Consider this my verbal two weeks notice. I quit."

She had clearly surprised him. Her boss's voice had a higher pitch as he said, "You quit? Why? We can offer you a substantial pay increase."

She threw her arms around him and hugged him. This was the last time she'd walk in this office. "Thank you, but I can't accept. I have to take a chance on love and see where this leads."

She flung open the door. Her boss's voice behind her said, "I don't understand."

She grabbed her pocketbook and raised one of her shoulders. "Goodbye. Take care of yourself."

She flew out the door and raced home to get the picture of her mother and then to the airport. If Peter loved her, then it had to be enough. She'd move. She'd change. There was no other option.

---

The taxi had to call the house for permission to drive past the street. As she rounded the corner, her heart hammered. She had to see his face the moment she arrived. If he loved her, she wanted to see it for herself.

She shook her head no. "Let me out."

The driver waited for her to pay him and then took off. She straightened her knee-length dress. The evening sky in Miami was warm. She wore her white and red work dress as she hadn't wanted to stop to buy a gown. As she stepped onto the lawn, she squirmed in her shoes. Elegantly dressed people in ball gowns lingered on the lawn. Her slightly scuffed work shoes weren't up to snuff.

She kept her head level and marched to the front door. There was no time for fear, not now. She'd tell him that she loved him. She had to. This was it.

She went to knock on the door, but the maid threw it open and said, "Ms. Jordan, you're here."

"Caro, right?"

"Yes, ma'am. Mr. Morgan has been miserable without you."

This was a better welcome than she'd expected. She hadn't really spoken to his staff. She went inside the front door and asked, "Where is Peter?"

The maid swung her hips as she walked. "With his mother near the bay. Come with me. I'll bring you to him."

She saw how her work dress made her seem like the hired help as she followed the maid. No one stopped her until they crossed the threshold to the outside, and Jennifer left Rafe's arm.

The maid tapped her foot as Jennifer brushed against Belle's arm. Then Jennifer said, "I wanted to say I am sorry."

With a nod, Belle checked out of the conversation for a moment. She tried to find Peter in the throngs of people. She pressed her lips together and then glanced at Jennifer. "For what?"

Jennifer looked at Rafe and nodded her head. "For trying to sabotage you. I've promised I'll try to be nicer to people from now on."

Belle pulled her arm out of reach and took a step toward the bay. "Good luck with that."

The maid continued to lead her closer to the yacht. “For the record, I like you better.”

“Thanks.” Belle's heart beat in her chest fast and goose bumps grew on her arm. Peter was closer. She licked her lips and searched the crowd for him.

Then her gaze saw Peter, and euphoria was the best word to describe how she felt. The moment he turned and saw her, he left who he was with and met her halfway. The maid excused herself as Peter leaned forward.

Her lips tingled for that kiss again, but she placed her hands on his shoulders and said, "I love you. I quit my job because I want to see where we stand."

He wrapped his arms around her waist. She was home as he said, "Then you'll marry me and stay by my side always. I love you and need you in my life."

Her lips parted. The world seemed to snap into place as she asked, "What? You want to marry me?"

He nodded his head like he would agree with anything. "Yes, if you'll have me."

She was hyperaware only of their hearts and how she felt with him. This was it. She gave him her heart.

"Of course I will. I love you."