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I pinch him again, and this time, he laughs.

“I’ll think of something,” he says. “I’m not worried.”

“Well, I was thinking,” I start carefully. “I’ll be getting a promotion soon…and they’re going to be looking to fill my spot. Might even ask me to recommend someone. I could put in a good word for you with a certain junior partner, if you’re interested.”

“Mm. Nepotism at its finest.”

“I’m going to pinch you again.”

“Stop it, I’ll bruise.”

“Stop being an idiot.”

“Hm. I rather like the idea of working under you.”

“This is not a sex thing.”

“Everything can be a sex thing if you just believe,” he teases.

“I’m dangerously close to rescinding the offer.”

“I’d love to work with you,” he chuckles, kissing my forehead. “With you, under you…doesn’t make any difference.”

“Idolike the idea of being your boss,” I say thoughtfully.

“Mm. You just wait. It’ll be a sex thing eventually. I love role-play.”

“And…you’d really be okay with that? It could get awkward if you were to…change your mind about me one day.”

“Dani.”

I have to force myself to meet his gaze again, my chest fluttering with nerves. “Yeah?”

“You’re being stupid again.”

I narrow my eyes, but he just laughs, pulling me up for a hard kiss.

“I am never”—his lips press to my cheek—“ever”—they briefly touch between my eyes—“changing my mind about you. You’re stuck with me, Sour Patch.”

I hate how needy my voice sounds. “Forever?”

“Abso-fucking-lutely,” he says firmly. His lips find mine again,holding them for so long he’s practically breathing me in. “There’s never going to be a ‘last time,’ Dani. Not for you and me.”

I feel the last few bricks of the careful walls I’ve built around my heart crumbling away with his words, and even though I might never fully understand how we got here—I’m happy to just be grateful that we did.

There’s never going to be a “last time,” Dani. Not for you and me.

I smile against his mouth, and for maybe the first time since I met him…I don’t feel an urge to argue.

Not even a little bit.

Epilogue

Dani

Ten months later

“Thank you somuch again, Ms. Pierce,” Mrs. Lyndon says with tearful eyes. “I feel like I can finally relax.”