"I know." He's grinning so wide it must hurt. His hands are fisted in my shirt, pulling me closer. "I can't believe—Devan, we did it."
I kiss him. It's messy and desperate and tastes like joy. He makes a sound into my mouth—half laugh, half moan—and wraps his arms around my neck.
"We should celebrate," he gasps when we break for air.
"We should tell the others."
"We should do both." He pulls back, eyes bright. "Group text. Then your room. Then we don't leave for at least twelve hours."
"Deal."
He pulls out his phone, thumbs flying.
Sam:WE GOT IT. BOTH OF US. JOINT INTERNSHIP. NOT A DRILL.
The responses come immediately:
Braiden:OH MY GOD
Braiden:I'M SCREAMING
Braiden:WES IS SCREAMING
Braiden:WE'RE ALL SCREAMING
Jionni:called it. told toby you two would burn the system down
Toby:Congratulations! This calls for a celebration. Daily Grind, 7pm?
Wes:??????
"Seven gives us..." Sam checks the time. "Six hours."
"More than enough," I say, and drag him toward my building.
***
Clothes come off in a trail from the entrance to the bed—his jacket by the door, my shirt over a chair, his pants somewhere near the desk. By the time we hit the mattress, we're down to boxers and I can't stop laughing.
"What?" Sam asks, grinning up at me from the pillows.
"Nothing. Everything." I hover over him, taking in the sight—his flushed cheeks, his wild hair, the mark on his neck that's faded to a pale pink but still mine. "I just can't believe this is my life."
"Believe it, big guy." He hooks a leg around my waist, pulling me down. "Now stop being sappy and start being sexy."
"I can be both."
"Prove it."
I kiss him slow and deep, savoring it. There's no desperation tonight, no fear, no ticking clock. Just us and time and the sweet certainty of knowing we made it.
"I love you," I murmur against his jaw. "Have I said that today?"
"Only about twelve times." He tilts his head back, giving me access to his throat. "But I'm not tired of hearing it."
"Good." I kiss down his neck, pausing at his pulse point. "I love you." Lower, to his collarbone. "I love you." Across his chest, tongue flicking over a nipple. "I love you."
"Devan—" His voice hitches. His fingers card through my hair. "Stop teasing."
