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“Cade,” she said, her voice soft as she stroked her fingers along my cheek. “I could never forget about last night. Ever. Last night was…it was everything.” Her voice hitched and I saw tears in her eyes.

“I know this is new. I know I’m probably rushing. I know logically, that none of this makes sense or was in my plan. But I have to tell you. Cadence, I love you. I think I have for a while, but I wouldn’t let myself. You’re in my thoughts, constantly. It’s been nearly impossible to focus on work when you’re there, and even when you’re not. You make me laugh and you made my world bright and I can’t imagine life without you in it. I want you. With me. I want us.”

Yeah, my heart definitely stopped and then started pounding double time as if to catch up.

“This can’t be fucking real,” I said. “How are you saying these things right now?” The tears that I’d managed to hold back earlier spilled out and rolled down my face.

“Oh, Cade,” Eloise said, pulling me closer. It was a bit awkward with the console between us. It dug into my hip, but I didn’t care.

“El, I love you. I do. I realized it this morning when I looked at you and I was so scared that this was all going to be over. I’ve loved being your assistant. I love the work, but I love being with you. If I have to give it up to have us, then I’ll do it. I’ll do it. I love you, Eloise.”

She shushed me with a kiss.

“No, no. You don’t have to give up being an assistant. I’m not sure if you know this, but I happen to know a lot of authors. You have skills and you’re excellent at your job. I’ll find you another. I promise. I owe you at least that much.”

Our faces were so close that she was blurry, but that might have been a fresh wave of tears.

“You’re so wonderful. I can’t believe it,” I said.

“Believe it, Cadence,” she said, pressing her forehead. “And I’m the one who is grateful. You set me free, Cade.”

Well, now I was really crying. She didn’t seem to mind as she kissed me and kissed me in a gas station parking lot. Not the most romantic of venues, but it was right for us.

“Do you want to see my apartment?” I asked when we parted.

She smiled. “I’d love to.”

Epilogue

Eloise

“Cade. You’re not going to need that many shoes,” I said as I went through her suitcase. We were packing for my tour, except this time she wasn’t coming as my assistant. She was coming as my plus one. My girlfriend.

“Yeah, but what if I get blisters from all the walking? What if I lose a pair? What if I don’t have the right shoes for the right occasion?”

She was pacing and cracking her knuckles. Not a good sign.

“Cade. If you need more shoes? We can buy you more shoes. I happen to have a lot of money,” I said and she stopped.

Initially, Cade had been reluctant to let me spend certain amounts of money on her. She was fine with some things and balked at others. I couldn’t figure it out, so I usually just kissed her until she gave in. That strategy had worked well so far.

“Okay, fine. Okay.” She let me remove half the superfluous shoes from her suitcase and then I went through her clothes. She wanted me to assure her that everything was appropriate. I loved everything she wore, but I pretended to go through it all and scrutinize her wardrobe.

“Just so you know, when you unpack everything, I’ve made you room in the closet,” I said, looking up to get her reaction. She loved doing the same to me, so I relished the opportunity to turn things around.

“What do you mean?” she asked, looking up from where she’d been fiddling with some of my skincare on my nightstand. Most nights she chose to stay with me over her own apartment. I’d been there many times to stay with her, but we both knew that my bed was bigger and more comfortable. And I didn’t have to worry about neighbors banging on the wall when she wouldn’t stop screaming my name.

“When we come back from tour, I think you should move in with me,” I said, enjoying the little squeak of surprise she let out before she covered her mouth in shock.

“You want me to move in with you,” she said. “Are you sure about that?”

I nodded and sat down on the edge of the bed. “Oh, yes. I’ve wanted it for a long time.”

Cadence stepped toward me and I widened my legs so she could stand close.

“You want me to move in with you. Me and all my stuff. Does that include my haunted shit?” she asked, grinning down at me.

“We’ll negotiate the haunted shit,” I said, tilting my face up as she leaned down to kiss me.