Page 86

Switching on my laptop, I pretend to focus on my computer screen as it boots up, but I listen in to the conversation between Joseph and Arianna as he hooks his arm into hers and leads her toward the kitchen, leaving a stream of really loud whispered questions from Joseph floating through the air.
When did this happen?
Are you going to marry him?
I want all the details.
I’m as excited about Arianna and me as he sounds, and he makes me chuckle to myself.
And even though there were many of the senior-level team who saw me kissing Arianna at the ball at the weekend, they would never say anything to anyone until I did.
That’s what I like about my senior team. They don’t gossip and gather around the watercooler fishing for the lowdown on who is doing what with whom.
They’re professional and they respect my privacy.
Are you going to have lots and lots of babies?
My ears prick up when Joseph asks Arianna, and something shifts within me again.
I may never have wanted kids before but now I can see myself having a family—with her.
I want to ask her to be my forever.
What the hell is she doing to me?
32
NATHAN
For the last three months Arianna and I have been living in what she calls a happy bubble.
We cook our evening meals together between my place and hers, and we watch television series I’ve never heard of on one of those subscription channels everyone talks about at work, and in between that, I’m still working hard.
And I’ve yet to figure out how I take more time off, but I’m sure that will come eventually.
I’m still having weekly massages and both Arianna and I have started cold water therapy. On those days, I feel Zen-like as if I’m floating, and I don’t know why I haven’t tried it sooner.
I do know why I haven’t met someone sooner; because I now realize Arianna was made for me.
Looking back, I can’t believe how narrow-minded I was to think that having someone living in my pocket twenty-four seven sounded awful. Now that Arianna is in my life, eating, sleeping, and working together is perfect.
Our lives fit seamlessly together, and we just work.
I like having her in my home, and I love it even more that she makes herself comfortable at my place and even invites her friend Maeve over for wine on the weekends.
Life is good and somehow, everything makes sense.
Like the stars have aligned or some cosmic shit I have no control over.
I’m all in with her.
A million percent.
“Nathan.” She moans my name, arching her neck back as I slide slow, deep thrusts in and out of Arianna’s wet heat.
“Come for me, baby,” I breathe against her lips.
She gently brushes her fingertips across the skin on my back, causing goosebumps to rise across it as our tongues delicately twist around one another.