“You’ve gone a little overboard, I’d say,” Jake muses, flirting with a smile. Or is he about to laugh in my face?
“Only because you are worth it,” I say, wincing inwardly.
He does laugh, but it’s full of affection that’s like a salve to my frantically beating heart. “Jake, I, uh… I really want to give us a go. Your dream to open a restaurant just made it easier for me to come up with a deal you’ll hopefully have a hard time turning down. But I’m only doing it because I believe your business idea will be a success.
“You know,” he crosses his arms, smirking. “I didn’t think I had a chance with you beyond a hookup. So, I decided a fling wasbetter than nothing… Except it didn’t quite work out the way I thought it would.”
I’m not sure what he’s saying. “I don’t follow.”
He leans in, cradling my cheek with his hand. It’s heaven. I sigh and lean into the touch, shivers dancing across my back. “You are made for me, babe. There’s no way I was going to let things between us just end.” He captures my lips in a soft, light kiss. “Even if I had to beg you to take me with you.”
A cluster of stars explode inside me. Joy blooms in my chest, driving a new wave of butterflies to my stomach. Oh God, this is… “So, you are… coming then? And giving life in Miami a try?”
He kisses me again, this time thoroughly but fast. “Hell yes, I am. There’s no way in hell I’m turning down the chance to be with the man I love. But then you had to throw in making my dream a reality into the mix, too? It’s basically a no-brainer. I’m all in, no second thoughts. I just hope you are ready for it.”
I hug him tight, kissing his cheek.
Am I ready for the whirlwind that Jake is? For my life to change into something unpredictable where every day will be a surprise? I don’t know. But as long as I have this man by my side, I’m not afraid to give it a go.
Epilogue
Six months later.
JAKE
I can’t believe thisis happening. I’m opening my own restaurant at one of Miami’s top locations. A bunch of reporters have come to take pictures, too. But that’s not even the best part. Nah. What has my heart fluttering and my chest feeling like it will explode is the fact that my fiancé is here.
“Ethan, babe, are you sure? I know you prefer to remain on the sidelines. I’m perfectly happy to do the interview on my own.”
He appears from the kitchen, wearing one of the beautiful aprons Phoebe and I designed together for theSnow & Sunshine. “It’s your big day and I want it to be perfect. I can handle an interview. Besides, showing my face in front of the camera is guaranteed to increase the public’s interest by thirty-forty percent. I have fans. In turn, I’ve projected an increase ofat least fifteen percent for our first month’s revenue. It’s a win-win.”
I love how dedicated he is. When I just up and left North Hut to chase my dream in Miami, I was a little apprehensive about his interest in the restaurant. But he’s proven me wrong at every turn. He loves the place as much as I do. He lets me run things of course, just like he promised, but he’s always excited to hear about my day or offer an ear or discuss things with me. Likewise, I’m happy to be his sounding board or brainstorm through business scenarios.
I wrap my arm around his waist and pull him close. He comes willingly, and I maneuver us until he’s caged between the bar counter and me. Nipping along his bottom lip, I drag my fingers along his crease, looking for the telltale hardness of the vibrating plug he’s wearing. I have the remote, so I can turn the toy on whenever I feel like it. Ethan loves it, and so do I, because he’s always ready for me no matter where we are.
Part of me still can’t believe I did such a crazy thing and moved to Miami practically with a stranger. Or that he wanted me so much, he made me an offer I couldn’t in sound mind turn down. But it felt as right then as it feels now. That hasn’t changed. Everything just slotted into place the moment we got off the plane. I haven’t looked back. We have our differences of course, but we’ve already settled into a comfy domestic life together. I didn’t start living with him immediately—I was renting for two months and only sleeping over… most of the nights—but we’ve been smooth sailing the whole time.
It’s mind-blowing how easy everything has been. It’s even scary sometimes. Having Ethan has changed my life, and I’m pretty sure that having me has changed his. He’s a lot more hands-off at the company nowadays, helping me here at the restaurant instead of doing late nights at the office.
Speaking of his office. I glance out the one-way tinted window at the glass high-rise where Ward Security’s HQ is. It’s right across the street.
“I can’t wait for tonight,” I say, nuzzling his neck. It’s one of his weak spots, and he goes feral when I touch it in a certain way.
“Behave,” he scolds, but pushes against my fingers.
“From one to ten, how horny are you right now?”
He hums, thinking. “Six and a half. Seven if you don’t stop rubbing.”
I kiss his nose. “I promise it will be worth it. You know I never disappoint you.”
“I do.” He kisses me back and steps away, adjusting himself. He’s wearing one of those jockstraps with the front pouches, so even when he’s hard, it won’t show.
There are another twenty minutes before the official opening, so I use the time to reorganize the glasses and plates for the umpteenth time. It helps me relax. Ethan watches me silently as I do it, not butting in. I love that about him. It’s like we have this understanding without ever talking about it. I do it at home too, and he’s more than happy to roll with it.
Five minutes before opening, Charlie and Ben arrive. Charlie is Ethan’s pro gamer little brother and Ben is a CEO, like Ethan. He’s also Charlie’s husband. I’ve met both of them only once, but we clicked immediately, especially with Ben.
“Hi, lovers, I hope you are ready. The queue is massive,” Charlie says by way of a greeting, throwing himself at me. He’s so tiny, I can lift him with one arm. But despite his deservingly inoffensive size and cute smiles, he’s a real devil. The story about his ex still brings a smile to my face whenever I remember it.
