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“Wait? What happens tomorrow?”

He kisses me gently, and then whispers against my lips, “We start our new life.”

35

Nick

Six months later. . .

Tomorrow turned into forever.

Not legally. At least not yet. Emotionally. Universally. Spiritually. Our souls have already committed. Sure, we skipped a few steps in the making-up process. I don’t think anyone is surprised by that.

Something else that won’t come as a shock is that we didn’t pass over reconnecting physically. We’ve ended up right back where we started—in each other’s arms. But Natalie has a theory—we were great before the contract debacle. So I’ve promised not to let her distract me when dealing with business, and she’s promised not to walk around naked when I’m working from home.

Seemed like a good deal at the time.As she would say, spoiler alert:It sucks.I miss her gracing me with her bare body while I’m working. She has always been a fantastic distraction. It may have gotten us in trouble, but the time apart made us realize that we were worth fighting for and that we’re in this for the long haul of life, plus forever.

I can’t think of a better way to spend eternity than holding this beauty in my arms. Her fingers trace letters on my chest. I’m supposed to be guessing what she’s spelling, but my lids are heavy, exhausted from a long day at the office and then our activity tonight. She asks, “Any guesses?”

“No,” I reply, half-asleep.

“With you.”

I like her answer. Peeking an eye open, I look down at her snuggled to my side. “What was the question?”

“You once asked me where I want to live. My answer iswith you, wherever that may be. That’s the only place I care to be.” She’s the most forgiving person I know. I know that wound of betrayal ran deep, but she believed me, and I’ll never forget that. I’d never purposely hurt her, though, and she realizes that as well.

“I discovered where I’m meant to be. That’s with you.”

“Sweet-talker.”

“Sweet on you, but can we sneak in a nap? I have plans for you later and I’m hoping to wake up early to go for a run with you in the morning. All this pasta you’ve been cooking is packing on the pounds.”

Her hand runs over my abs. I tense them for her. She lifts up to see my eyes and says, “You literally don’t have an ounce of fat on you.”

“I’m hard for you.”

“And here I thought I did a good job of wearing you out.” She sits up to get out of bed, but I catch her hand.

“Don’t leave me.”

“Ever, or just not to the bathroom? I’m hoping you mean in the forever sense because I really need to go.”

I release her, chuckling, and ogle that incredible ass of hers. Grabbing her pillow, I cover my face and inhale her lingering scent deep into my lungs. If the perfect wave had a scent, it would smell like Natalie. I don’t even care how creepy that seems.

She’s gone just long enough for me to doze off. When she climbs back into the middle of the bed, I turn to hold her. It’s our favorite way to fall asleep, and just like in Catalina, I find peace with her.

“Nick?”

“Hm?” I mumble.

“I don’t want to go back to New York without you.”

Lifting my head from the mattress, I crack my eyes open again. “I wanted to talk to you about that.” I’m exhausted, but I hate that look of worry in her eyes.

She replies, “Now, if you’re not too tired.”

“I’m never too tired for you.” I rub the corners of my eyes and sneak out a yawn before moving to sit up. I had hoped for a nap before the big plan, but this is more important.She is more important than anything else.