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It was painful to hear him say that and I tried to push his hands away, but he tightened his grip, leaning to rest his forehead against mine.

“I love you and I won’t let Val dictate who I spend my life with. I’m not willing to give you up.”

Hope surged in my chest, battered and bruised from the week of pain and turmoil. I didn't know if I could trust it, but I desperately wanted to.

“What about Sophie?”

“I told you, that’s not going to be a problem anymore. We figured it out. I’ll pick her up again on Friday, just like normal. And I’ll call Val over the weekend to discuss a new schedule. I shouldn’t have let her dictate that time in the first place. If I want to be a good father to Sophie, I need to stand up for myself.”

Resting my hands on his wrists, I shook my head. “What are you saying?”

“I’m saying if you take me back, I’ll get to have both. You and my daughter. I love you, Hendrix. I don’t want to lose you.”

A lump in my throat choked back any words I wanted to get out and tears burned in my eyes. I wanted him back more than I wanted my next breath, but I couldn’t get past the lump to tell him that. Instead, I pulled him closer, sealing my lips against his. It was every bit as perfect as I remembered. I kissed him frantically, desperately, until we fell back onto the mattress and he laid on top of me. The feel of his body against mine was like coming home, and I hugged him tightly against my chest, my face buried against his shoulder.

“I’m sorry. I’m so sorry,” he whispered hoarsely.

“Don’t. I get it. I love you. I love you so damn much.”

We stayed that way, wrapped around each other, going back and forth on apologies and I love you's, until it got to be too much and we both had to laugh. Kissing me softly, Art leaned back to look me in the eye.

“Tell me what a mate is.”

My breath caught in my chest and my mouth fell open. “How–”

A slow smile took over his face. “You don’t remember? You told me when I called you last night. You said I was your mate. What does that mean?”

Aw damn. I didn’t remember any of last night, but apparently in my drunken stupor I told Art what he was to me.

“It’s uh… sort of like soul mates, I guess. A deep connection linking two people who love each other. Demons only ever get one. You’re it for me.”

His smile was soft and warm and so damn happy. I loved that smile. It was the smile that made me fall in love with him. It was hard to believe that I could keep him, that our relationship wasn’t going to tear apart his life. But Art didn’t lie to me. He was good, down to his core. And he loved me. I could see it in his eyes.

“Laz said you had an important gig tonight. Are you gonna be up for it?”

It took me a second to remember what gig he was talking about, but I sucked in a breath, giving Art a wide eyed look when I remember. “Oh shit. Yeah. I wanted to tell you about that. Someone from Envision Records contacted us. They heard our music and want to meet us. We might get a deal with them.”

Art smiled brightly, but his lack of surprise confused me. I studied his face, my eyes narrowing slightly.

“Did someone already tell you?”

He lifted a shoulder nonchalantly. “I heard a rumor.”

He was being too damn casual about it. I knew him. He was fighting for us to get a contract with a label and Envision was the best of the best. He wouldn’t be this calm unless–

“You called them.”

He scrunched up his nose, shifting his glasses a little. “Sort of? My coworker’s older brother works for them. I gave him the demo from the studio. He told me earlier this week that they were interested.”

“Holy shit. It was you! You got us a fucking record deal!” Yanking him against me, I rolled us over, caging him with my body as I peppered his face with kisses. He laughed, looping his arms around my neck to keep me close. I knew Art wanted us to succeed. He went above and beyond to help us. I never thought he’d go so far as to put us on Envision’s radar. That was the dream. And he went out and got it for us.

I stared at him, wide eyed and gaping, until he chuckled and drew me closer, kissing the side of my mouth.

“I’m proud of you, Hendrix. I might’ve sent over the file, but it was your music that caught their attention. I told you, you’re gonna make it big someday. And I’m going to be there to see you do it.”

My chest tightened, and I almost started sobbing like a baby. This man was beyond perfect, and he was all mine. I kissed him softly, trying to memorize the feeling of his lips on mine, until he drew away enough to whisper against my lips.

“You know, I think this calls for a celebration. I think it’s your turn, isn’t it?”