“Princess, I made a spreadsheet.” He grinned at my expression. “Color-coded and everything.”
My eyes widened.
“And apartments. And pediatricians. And the best coffee shops within walking distance because you’re unbearable before caffeine.”
I kissed him because what else could I do? This ridiculous man had planned our entire future while I’d been stress-browsing studio flats.
Because he loved me.
The concept was still foreign enough to make my chest ache.
“I love you,” I said against his mouth.
“I love you too.”
I’d spent so long learning to need nothing from anyone. Griffin had slowly and patiently taught me that needing someone wasn’t a weakness. Trusting each other made us stronger.
And I really did trust him. With my future. With my whole terrified, hopeful heart.
His hands slid down to my hips. “Now, about that celebration...”
“Hazel—”
“Is asleep.” He walked me backward toward the living room. “And I have plans.”
Heat pooled low in my stomach. “What kind of plans?”
“Very thorough plans.” His mouth found my neck. “Involving you. Me. That sofa.”
“How thorough?”
He pushed me down onto the cushions and kneeled between my thighs. “Extremely.”
EPILOGUE
GRIFFIN
I’d been managing the tires for three laps, saving just enough grip for this. I had one chance into turn nine to take the lead from Callaghan.
I lined him up out of turn eight, trapped in his dirty air. It was a bad line, a stupid risk, and completely worth it. I opened the DRS and the Aedris launched like it had been waiting for the command. The blue lights seared past the pit wall, chasing that single flash of red ahead.
He braked too early. Probably gambling I’d overcommit.
But he didn’t know me anymore.
I cut inside and the tires locked for a heartbeat before they bit hard into the tarmac.
Out of the corner, I floored it. The power surged and the rear twitched, the engine howling as the tires fought for traction. I corrected the slide, caught it, and slammed through the gears.
Callaghan darted across to reclaim track position, desperate and late. The bastard still had teeth. He swung left, forcing me toward the curb, but I stayed flat, side mirrors full of his front wing. His car wobbled, rear tires shot, grip gone.
He fought back hard, but I was already ahead.
For half a second, we were side by side under the lights. Adrenaline blurred the edges of everything until there was only instinct and noise and the knowledge that if I held the throttle one heartbeat longer, I’d break him.
I didn’t lift.
And Callaghan fell away.
