"The best kind, businessandpersonal."
She's quiet for a moment, thinking. "You know what else we should talk about?"
"What?"
"Living arrangements."
My heart kicks up. "Yeah?"
Her teeth worry her bottom lip. "I mean, we're still in the early stages of our relationship, but we've known each other forever. I love it here and Admiral really likes his spot in the corner."
We both glance at the dog, who's snoring contentedly.
"Are you saying what I think you're saying?" I ask carefully.
"I'm saying maybe Admiral and I should move in with you. If you want us to, that is."
"If I want you to? Merri, I've been trying to figure out how to ask you that without sounding like I'm moving too fast."
She grins. "So that's a yes?"
"That's the biggest damned yes of my life." I pull her in for a kiss, slow and deep, savoring the taste of her.
She settles against my chest, fitting perfectly as if she was designed to be there. My muscles have gone loose and heavy, that bone-deep contentment and relaxation I haven't felt in a very long time.
Through the window, moonlight spills across the water in a silver path. Admiral's snores rumble from his bed in the corner, steady as a metronome and Merri's breath warms the hollow of my throat with each exhale. I close my eyes, letting the steady weight of her body anchor me to this moment.
"Hey, Wyatt?" she says softly.
"Yeah?"
"I love you."
I kiss the top of her head. "I love you too, Merri. Always have."
And for the first time in my life, everything feels right.
Chapter 16
Merri
One week later
The Pelican Point Community Center is packed, and I watch from behind our table as representatives from beverage companies, restaurant chains, and distribution networks mingle with the locals. I can barely contain my nerves.
"Breathe," Wyatt says, his hand warm on the small of my back. "We've got this."
"I know." I gesture at the crowd. "There are just a lot of people here."
"Yep, and they're all about to taste the best fucking beer on the East Coast."
I can't help but smile at his confidence. "You're not even a little nervous?"
"Maybe. But I'm a Marine, baby. Never show fear in the face of the enemy."
"The judges are the enemy?"
"Anyone standing between us and victory is the enemy."
