“And I’ve been waiting longer.”
At that, I can’t resist another moment. I launch to my toes, my lips finally meeting his. It feels like home, like something I never knew I was searching for but now that I’ve found it, I never want to let it go. I never want to lethimgo.
His hands unwrap from around me, trailing up to my jaw and cupping my face. His kiss lightens as he pulls away, his long lashes still fanning across his cheeks as he starts to smile. When his eyes open, he examines my face like he’s memorizing it.
“Lena, I’d relive the gala a hundred more times if it means this is the outcome.” He smiles, broad and sincere. “Yeah, it sucked, but we both got the time away we needed and we still found each other. You wouldn’t be my Lena if you didn’t bring me back down to earth in that unapologetic way only you can.”
“Someone’s gotta do it,” I grin.
He presses a kiss to my temple, and I savor the feel of his soft lips on my skin. “And I’m glad it’s you. It’ll always be you.”
EPILOGUE
SIX MONTHS LATER
DECKER
Lena smirks,the new pink streaks in her dark hair flopping wildly as she throws her head back and freezes center stage. An ear-splitting roar emits from the crowd when she steps out of her ending pose, blowing kisses and waving before darting off stage into the exposed wings flanking either side of it and straight into my arms. We’re on the last leg of her tour on this side of the ocean. In a few days we’ll be heading overseas to meet her international fans.
After officially retiring from my football career following the Kings Super Bowl win this year, I never thought I’d be the boyfriend getting hauled around from place to place and waiting in the wings. Given all those years of trying to keep out of the limelight outside of football and interviews, being a backstage boyfriend sounds right up my alley. However, I gave up any hope of privacy when I gave Lena my heart.
She leaps into my arms, crushing herself against my body. Her smile is infectious as I spin her in a little circle beforeshe plants a swift kiss on my lips. Another berserk response from the crowd, and I look over to see us both on the big screens positioned around the arena, the rest of the cameras surrounding the stage all swinging to face us. Case and point, this exact moment. Goodbye, low profile, hello, Lena Lukowski.
“Ready?” she asks loud enough so I can hear her over the roar.
Ready? I’ve been waiting all night to finally be alone with her. I nod, and we both turn one more time to wave to her faithful fans. Lacing her fingers through mine, she tows me to her dressing room, promptly propping herself onto her vanity counter and pulling me in by my shirt collar.
“Well, hello,” I say, stepping closer so I’m positioned between her knees. The beaded fringe of her skirt rattles against the counter as she makes room for me.
“Hello yourself,” she says softly, her nose grazing mine.
She loops her arms around my neck, frowning as I break free and take a step back. I reach for the thermos of water I always make sure is filled for her when she comes offstage.
“Drink. We’re not having a repeat of last time. Your charley horse scared Princess out of her mind,” I say.
"I didn’t know she was so skittish," she giggles, "or that I was so dehydrated."
“I think anyone would be skittish with someone collapsing and screaming like that out of the blue. Dramatic much?”
She rolls her eyes, but takes a long swig, caps the bottle, then pulls me back in. “You better kiss me before my mom barges in on us again.”
I brush a piece of hair from her face, it’s always a little wild—and a little sweaty—after her three-hour shows. “Say no more.”
I brace the back of her neck, tilting her head up to meet my mouth as her fingers dig into my shoulder blades. Even after six months of being officially—really—together, this never gets old.
Like she was waiting for this exact moment, there’s a knock, and her mother’s nasally voice penetrates through the closed door. “Your flight back to Vista is in two hours.” She shoves open the door, marching in like we aren’t partially tangled on a makeup vanity. “Your tickets are printed, bags are packed and loaded, and Gustav is waiting with your ride.”
Antonia appears behind her. “Vital Reign reached out about squeezing in a couple’s shoot while you’re in Vista. I’ve been in touch with Jason.”
Blythe clucks like an offended chicken. “I thought we agreed she wasn’t going to be partnering with them.”
“She won’t be, it’s a one-off shoot with Decker since he’s the partner.” Antonia doesn’t look up from her screen.
Her mom’s eyes dart from Antonia to the two of us. “I thought?—”
“I proposed the idea a while ago, but I didn’t think they’d take me up on it,” Lena says.
Blythe frowns. “Of course they’d take you up on it. You’re the only marketing they’ll ever need.”
