Hate That I Still Love You

Tatiana's Point Of View

I stared at the screen, blinking. Then again. And again. I hit refresh. Then again. No. Freaking. Way. Landmark Studios-Official Offer Letter. I let out a scream so loud it startled the birds off the roof."AHHHHH!!!" I bolted out of the home office like I was on fire, practically sliding across the polished hallway tiles in my socks. The maids glanced at me mid-dusting, wide-eyed and frozen like they just saw a ghost in heels.

I didn't care.

I burst into the bedroom where Scott lay half-reclined, fingers tapping away on his laptop. Typical. Man wouldn't even notice an earthquake. Without a word, I launched myself on top of him, knocking the laptop off his thighs."Tatiana!" he gasped, catching me. "You trying to kill me?"

"Oh no, not yet," I smirked, snatching the laptop and slamming it shut with a dramatic click."Give that back-" He started to rise, but I jumped off the bed, holding it behind me like a hostage negotiator.

"Not until you listen!" I grinned.

Scott narrowed his eyes and stalked toward me in mock slow-motion. "You're playing with fire, woman."

"Stay back!" I warned, half-laughing, half-panicked. "I mean it!" Too late. His arms wrapped around my waist like a vice. I squealed as he lifted me effortlessly, spinning me around like a rag doll."Scott!" I screamed, laughing. "Put me down, you brute!"

"You kidnapped my laptop. I'm pressing charges." He dropped me on the bed and hovered over me, grinning as he planted playful kisses all over my cheeks.

"Stop it! You're tickling me-Scott!" I thrashed beneath him, laughing so hard I almost forgot the news.

Almost.

"Okay, okay, get off me. I have to tell you something!"

He froze dramatically. "You're not pregnant, are you?" I stared at him. "Seriously?"His hopeful grin faltered. "Well... you said it like it was big."

"It is big," I said, sitting up, my heart still pounding. "I got the job."

"What job?"

"The job." I paused for effect. "Landmark Studios. They want me as a lead designer!"His eyes widened. "Wait... Landmark? As in-Landmark? The Landmark?"I nodded, breathless from both excitement and his wrestling. "They emailed me an hour ago. It's official."

Scott blinked, then let out a loud, proud whoop and pulled me into a hug so tight it nearly cracked my ribs."Tatiana! That's insane! You actually did it. You're in!"

"I know!" I grinned into his neck. "Can you believe it? My name-next to Landmark's brand line."

"You earned it," he said, drawing back to look me in the eyes. "They'd be idiots not to hire you."

"Tell that to my anxiety," I chuckled, brushing hair out of my face. "I've been refreshing my inbox every three seconds."

"We're celebrating tonight. No work, no emails-just champagne and your favorite pasta."

"You're cooking?"

He grimaced. "Okay, no. But I'll order it like a gentleman."

I giggled, hugging him again.

*********

Later That Night

*********

Dinner was warm, soft-lit, and peaceful. Heidel, our ever-stoic maid, had prepared her signature baked chicken and garden vegetables. Scott and I sat across from each other, wine glasses half-full, the mood still glowing with the aftermath of good news.

"To your new beginning," he said, raising his glass."To our beginning," I corrected with a smile. We clinked glasses."I mean it," he said more seriously. "This isn't just your win, it's ours. Every late night, every rough patch-this is the payoff."

"You always believed in me," I said softly, brushing my thumb along the stem of my glass, "even when I didn't."Scott didn't reply immediately. Instead, he reached across the table, fingers brushing mine, warm and steady. His eyes-usually mischievous, teasing-held something else tonight. Something quiet. And intense.

"I believed in you," he said, voice low, "because I saw the fire in you before you ever did. You have no idea how beautiful that kind of strength is, Tatiana." I blinked. My throat tightened. "You're being awfully poetic tonight."

He chuckled under his breath. "Maybe I've had too much wine."He hadn't. I knew that look in his eyes. Still holding my hand, he stood. My brows furrowed as he came around the table and lowered himself to one knee.

My heart froze.

No.

No, he wouldn't. Not now. Not like this."Scott," I breathed. "What are you doing?"He reached into his pocket and pulled out a small, velvet box. Oh my God."Tatiana Wilson," he began, gaze never leaving mine, "I have loved you since the moment you insulted my suit at that ridiculous charity gala."

I choked on a laugh. "It was ugly."

He grinned. "Yeah, and you were the only one bold enough to say it to my face." The box opened with a soft click. Inside, nestled in midnight velvet, was a ring so stunning it stole the breath right from my lungs. A gold band wrapped around a teardrop diamond, shimmering like it was holding its own little galaxy.

"I knew then," he continued, "that you weren't like anyone else. You saw right through the act-the business front, the calm smile. You saw me. And you still stayed."I was shaking. God-I didn't even realize my hand was over my mouth until I felt my own tears.

"So now," he whispered, "let me stay. Through every chapter. Through the chaos and the quiet. Through the mistakes and the milestones. Marry me, Tatiana."

The room blurred.

My chest tightened. I hadn't expected this. Not today. Not tonight. And yet, there he was. On one knee. Looking at me like I was his whole world.

My lips parted.

But the words didn't come. For a split second-one terrifying second-my silence stretched too long. He stood slowly, slipping the box back into his pocket. "It's okay," he said gently. "You don't have to-" "Yes." My voice cracked. "Yes, Scott."

His eyes snapped up.

I launched myself into his arms, nearly knocking the chair over behind me. "Yes, yes, yes!" He laughed, spinning me around in a blur of warmth and perfume and candlelight. When he set me down, I kissed him-desperately, fiercely.

"I was just... shocked," I gasped against his lips. "You caught me off guard."

"That was the plan," he smirked, slipping the ring onto my finger. "And you're stuck with me now."