She’s so spent, she only manages to mumble something incoherent.
“Come on, sunshine. Let’s get you cleaned up, then I’ll feed you. I’m sure you’re hungry after all of that. Let me take care of you.”
Her smile is soft and trusting, and I can’t hold the words in any longer. Not for another second. So I let them out as I scoop her up into my arms.
“I love you, Mira. So fucking much.”
Wide green eyes blink up at me, colored with something that looks like shock. “You love me?”
“Yeah, baby. For a while now.”
Mira’s breath catches, then she wraps her arms around my neck and presses her face into the space between my head and shoulders. “I love you, too, Griffin. I love you too.”
I’m not sure how we make it into the bathroom, or how I manage to turn the shower on with my wife cradled in my arms, both of us stealing desperate kisses from the other, but we do. Maybe we float there. Who the hell knows? All I know for sure is that I’ve never felt happier. Nothing has ever felt so right. And we stay up far later than we should as we show our love for each other over and over before falling into the most peaceful sleep I’ve ever experienced.
Tonight, I told my wife I love her. Tomorrow, I propose.
forty-one
MIRA
Despite yesterday beingthe most fun I’ve had in ages—not to mention some of the best sex I’ve ever had—it does nothing to calm my current nerves. Because today is my first big pitch to an organization that could change the course of my business.
Yes, I’ve worked with some relatively high-profile athletes from the Rogues, and yes, I finally completed the job for the baseball team in Georgia, but this is next level. This is a NCAA Division 1 hockey team at a major university, and it could lead to working with their football team and possibly other teams in their athletic program. And if I do a good job? Who knows what it could lead to? This is a potentially life-changing meeting, and I can’t seem to stop overthinking it.
“Hey.” Griffin grabs my hand as he drives to the university. “You’re going to kill it, sunshine. You have no reason to be nervous.”
I know he believes that, which is the sweetest thing ever, but I’m not so convinced. “It’s a big deal. What if I mess it up?”
My husband rolls his eyes. “Baby, you won’t mess it up. You’re smart, talented, and insanely creative. These guys will belucky to bring you on for this project. Just remember that. Plus, I’ll be there for moral support. Not that you need me.”
He’s wrong, though. Idoneed him. More and more each day. And knowing he’ll be there, sitting beside me as strong, silent support, is everything. I just wish his own meeting wasn’t before mine. He offered to bring me with him, but I’ve decided to have him drop me off on the campus. I’ll grab a coffee and walk around for an hour or so. I want to get a better feel for the vibes and culture of the place so I can make last-minute tweaks to my proposal if necessary.
“I wish I didn’t have to leave you for my meeting.”
That makes me smile because I know he means it. Griffin has been almost more excited about this opportunity than I have been. He’s so supportive and sweet. I’m not sure how I got this lucky. He really is everything I could want or need in a partner. And he’s mine.
“I know, but this deal is important for you too. I’ll be fine on my own for a bit, and you’ll be back in time for my meeting.”
“Of course I will. I wouldn’t miss it.” Eyes still on the road, Griffin lifts my hand to his lips and kisses it. “I’m so fucking proud of you, sunshine.”
His praise makes me light up. I’m practically glowing from within. “I’m proud of you too. And thanks for believing in me.”
“I’ll always believe in you. I’m your biggest fan. I hope you know that by now.” Griffin gifts me a radiant smile that I want to lose myself in. And I probably would, if not for the buzzing of his phone in the center console of the car we’ve rented. “Can you see who that is and what they want?”
I tap on the text that popped up on the screen and see that it’s from my brother. “It’s Maddy. He wants to do a guys’ night when we get back. And he wants to know if you’ll plan his bachelor party.”
Griffin chuckles. The sound rolls through my body and lights me up. “Tell him to name the time and place for guys’ night and I’ll be there, and of course I’m gonna plan his bachelor party. Who the hell does he think I am?”
Sniggering, I type out a response to my brother and hit send. As I do, Griffin’s phone flashes a warning that it only has twenty percent battery life left.
“I think you’re a guy who didn’t charge his phone last night.”
With a wince, Griffin glances at his phone in my hand. “Ah, shit. I got distracted by your pretty cunt and forgot to plug it in.”
“At least you have a good excuse. I guess we’ll have to refrain from texting each other all morning so you don’t end up with a dead phone.”
“Probably shouldn’t be texting while I’m in that meeting, anyway. Though, for my wife, I’d leave any meeting to respond to a text.”
