Julie Anne Long

“Of course,” she said, finally, softly.

“Of course?” he repeated tenderly. Already cherishing those two words as the first she’d said to him. They seemed to capture everything about the moment. Of course. Of course it’s you I’ve waited for my entire life. Of course we’re meant to be together forever. Of course.

“Of course I’ll dance with you, Mr. Redmond. It’s why you’re here?”

He recovered quickly. “Among other reasons.”

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I can’t remember the last time I so egregiously abandoned my manners. It’s just that I . . . that it seemed important to reach you before you could disappear.”

That little hesitation charmed her. “Disappear?”

He paused again. “The way dreams do, when you wake in the morning.”

The words were gruff. She knew them to be truthful, because she sensed they’d caused him a great measure of embarrassment.