Sadie gasps as she unfolds the piece of paper she pulled out.
"Tell me you did this, and it’s not just my being in Mage that makes puzzles appear."
Instead of answering, I shrug, then bend down to press a kiss to her forehead.
"Max… seriously."
I slip out of the bed, giving her a view of my bare backside before stepping into the attached bathroom and turning on the shower.
"We can talk about it in here if you’d like!" I holler above the sound of the spray tinkling off the tiled floor as I step inside.
"Two questions…" Sadie pops her head around the shower curtain. "Did you actually tell your mom about Howard?"
Her eyes trail the length of my body while I lather soap over my torso. She is just as addicted to me as I am to her, and I love it.
"Yeah. But mostly because I know how worried you are about him." I tug her hand, pulling her into the shower with me. "That was only one question."
Water cascades down her face, dotting her eyelashes and lips with tiny droplets that look like diamonds sparkling in the warm lighting over our heads. I bend to kiss her, peppering each spot that’s shimmering with my lips.
Sadie lets out a small whimper. "Did you make that puzzle because you were nervous I’d say no later, or because you know I don’t like surprises?"
She grips my biceps, almost as if she’s nervous for the answer, and it makes me smile. I’m completely enamored with every single thing about her, including her unique ability to over-analyze every detail.
"Honestly?"
"Always."
"Both." I grip her hips as I stabilize myself—and my nerves. "There’s no doubt in my mind that you’re it for me. From the moment I met you, all the way back in high school, I’ve been completely captivated by you. I know four months is not a long time. Hell, it’s probably not long enough for most people to even put a label on things…" I clear the emotion from my throat. "But the way I see it… you’ve had a piece of my heart for over a decade. I’m hopelessly in love with you—"
"I love you so much, Max."
Her interruption, while great to hear, also settles the nerves in my stomach before I continue, "I know you better than anyone, and I didn’t want you to feel obligated to say yes in a room full of people. But also, I wanted you to know that this is more than just a title. It’s a promise."
Sadie nods her head, a single tear streaking down her cheek as she acknowledges the commitment she’s making. "I know. And my answer is one to you too."
I scoop her up, kissing her hard as I walk her backward, only stopping when her spine is pressed to the tile wall.
"What do you say, Sade? Will you be a member of baby O’Reilly’s Cool Aunt's Club? Group? Whatever the fuck it’s called."
"On one condition." Sadie laughs as she runs her hands through my wet hair, pushing it out of my face.
"Name it."
"When you actually make me her aunt—officially, not just because I’m your, well whatever I am—make the puzzle harder to solve. I got that in like two seconds."
We never officially had the conversation about what we are, but she feels like so much more than a girlfriend—she feels like my whole heart, my soul, walking around outside of my body.
"You’re my…everything. And deal."
A deep rumble of laughter bursts from my chest as I tickle my girl. I may never be as smart as she is—or as good at solving puzzles. But the privilege doesn’t come with being the one who fixes every problem. It’s the honor of watching her unravel each clue. The gift of walking alongside her, ready and willing to lend a hand or lift her up when she needs it. Because she’s the star of the show—the main character in the only story I’ve ever wanted to read.
