"Wait, I almost forgot," I say, breaking the moment. "I think I solved the puzzle, and that fucking key Olive and I found… you’ll never believe where it led me."
Max smiles in a way I know he reserves just for me—and maybe Poppy. "Tell me everything."
I recount the day I’ve had, sparing no details.
"— so now I know the whole thing was made for me to find you. Every clue, every adventure… it was all about you, Max."
"Well, what are you waiting for? Let’s open our present then."
Grabbing the book from my bag, I scribble in the last two words and watch as they melt into gold script. As I go to close the book, it vanishes as if I had never been holding it at all. Max and I look at each other, clearly both confused. But I reach into my bag and pull out the gift box. The white bow has been replaced with a small ribbon made of twine—almost identical to the knot that held the puzzle book closed. And when we untie it together, a book sits inside.
"Would it be funny or infuriating if this had more clues in it?" Max asks with an eyebrow raised and a dimple on display.
"Infuriating."
"Definitely hilarious."
We speak at the same time, and I roll my eyes. I’d probably laugh, but I’m ready to move on from the magic—to live a life where I’m not searching for the next answer because I already have everything I need—because I have him.
I unclasp a small gold push lock that sits at the center and secures a purple strap that matches the jade leather binding, gasping when I open the first page. It’s our story. Each piece ofparchment is complete with the clue and answer we found, with a picture of the adventure we had that helped to solve it.
"It’s our story, Max."
"Nah, Sade. It’s our fate found in clues."
Epilogue
3 Months Later
Sadie
"Are you ready to go?"
Max pokes his head into my office, smirking at me with his perfect pouty lips and coiffed hair still styled back out of his face. The suit he’s wearing fits his impossibly sculpted body like it was painted on, and the slight flush to his cheeks from standing by the ice is endearing as hell. I can’t help the smile that tips my lips up, or the way my heart still skips a beat seeing him—even if it happens every day.
When Max agreed to take the job working for the Flames instead of booking it to Washington, I was excited but also a little nervous about putting so much togetherness into our relationship so soon. Yet, since that day I’ve never once questioned if being with him was the right move.
For the first time in… well, ever… I have my person—my best friend—beside me, at home and at work. And honestly, it hasn’t made things harder. It’s made them fun.
Spinning in my chair, I close my laptop and grab my bag to stuff it inside. "Yep." I can feel my face shifting into a frown with the same question that’s been lingering on my mind for the last two weeks hitting replay. "Did you try asking him again?"
Max steps fully into the room, a regretful expression lingering on his face. "Yeah." He runs a hand through his hair. "He said to tell Sam and Ollie he’s team boy, and he’s sorry that he couldn’t make it."
I slip my toes into my flats, stand, and round my desk, practically slumping into Max’s awaiting arms. He wraps them around me, bringing his hands to my shoulders and kneading lightly.
A rush of relief zips through me as tension seeps from my body. "I know he’s hurt…"
Max nods and finishes my sentence. "But we can’t let him abandon his people just to avoid her."
"Exactly." I press up on my toes to give him a quick kiss. "He has to face the music, eventually. Time off doesn’t last forever."
Max bends down, kissing me more thoroughly this time, and when we break apart, we both laugh. I’m not sure why—maybe because this is all so effortless. It’s so simple. Or maybe because we’re the lucky ones who aren’t staring down the barrel of a misguided attempt at putting space between something clearly meant to be.
"Sade… I have a tiny confession to make." Max’s face morphs from one of bliss to another suspiciously close to naughty.
"Is Howie in your trunk?"
"What? Jesus." He runs a hand along the back of his neck, scratching lightly as he shakes his head. "You have to stop assuming I’m into breaking the law. First drugs, now kidnapping."
