“Four. I’m impressed Maddie didn’t blab.”
“That may be the one way she’s not like her mother. My sister could’ve never kept a secret like this.” I ran my thumb along her swollen lips. “How long do I have you for?”
She sank her teeth into her bottom lip as her eyes glossed over.
“Forever. If that’s what you want.”
“What…so, it’s over?”
“Yes and no. I may have to go back for a couple of days at some point, but I’m working on the book remotely from now on. So, I’m back for good. And Sabrina really liked staying in my apartment, so I thought maybe I’d let her have it.”
“Don’t play with me, Em. Are you saying you want to?—”
“Work out of the spare room, move my bookcases into your hallway, climb into bed with you every night for the rest of my life. Absolutely, yes,” she breathed out. “If you’ll still have me.”
“If I’ll— Are you kidding me?” I hauled her to me again, gripping the back of her head as I devoured her mouth, going in harder each time she’d try to pull back.
“I’m guessing that’s a yes.”
“I’ll think about it and get back to you,” I said, dipping my head to kiss her again when our heads whipped to knocking from the inside of my door.
“You know this is a family-friendly neighborhood,” Caden called out from inside. “Don’t get arrested on the first night Emily’s back.”
“I guess we have a birthday party to go to.” I laced my fingers with hers and brought our joined hands to my mouth. “And I am suddenly in a very festive mood. You didn’t cut anything short, right?”
“Why, are you sending me back?” She grinned, roping her arms around my neck.
“No way. I just… I never wanted you to miss out on anything because of me. I would have waited as long as I had to.”
“I didn’t want you to have to. I think both of us have waited long enough. But I need you to do something for me.”
“I’d do anything for you.”
A smile ghosted her mouth.
“Stop thinking I’m missing out on anything because of you. With you is the only place I’ve ever wanted to be.”
“Then I want you to stop being afraid I’m going to take it all back again someday.” I leaned my forehead against hers. “Since the moment we met, there hasn’t been a second when you weren’t all I’ve ever wanted.”
A grin broke out on her face before she cuddled into my chest.
“So, we’re good?”
“Better than good.” I breathed out the biggest sigh of sweet relief. “We’re finally home.”
EPILOGUE
EMILY
Six months later
“Time to wake up.”
I squirmed out of Jesse’s hold and shook his shoulder.
“It’s early,” he grumbled, pulling me back against his bare chest.
“We have a game, remember? And you’re my new assistant, so we have to get there early to set up and check the kids in.”
