Page 159 of Before We Break

“Thank fuck.”

I kiss her hard, and she returns it with just as much intensity. All tenderness flees, replaced by frantic need and months of pent-up longing. She tastes faintly of birthday cake and cherry lip gloss, but most of all she tastes like the love of my life.

Minutes pass, and I somehow muster the wherewithal to let her go, both of us struggling to catch our breath. “Happy birthday, princess.”

“It’s about time,” she says, smiling from ear to ear. I never stood a goddamn chance against that smile. “I’ve been waiting all day.”

“I was playing the long game.”

“Clearly.”

She gestures around the yard, at the fresh landscaping with newly planted flowers in vibrant colors I knew she’d love surrounding us. As long as we’ve been standing here, I’m surprised she hasn’t noticed what’s beneath our feet. “Look down, baby.”

Her eyes lower to the walkway and she gasps. “Is that⁠—”

“Pennies. I thought we could try again with a little luck on our side.”

“I don’t need luck. I just need you.”

Her eyes narrow like she’s thinking hard about something. “Wait. Was that a dog in the painting?”

“Yes.”

“You and a dog.”

“Sounds perfect, princess.”

FORTY-SIX

SO MUCH BETTER

♫ Feels Like Home - Bonnie Raitt

CLIO

Noah strides up the walkway with yet another box of crap, stopping to give me a peck on the cheek as I head back to grab more supplies out of the truck.

“Are you delegating?” he asks.

I give him my most innocent eyes, batting my lashes. “Yes.”

“No,” Lexi shouts from inside the house. “She’s being a control freak as usual.”

“Traitor,” I call back.

She peeks through the open door and sticks out her tongue.

Noah barks out a laugh. “There’s a whole army of people at your beck and call, princess. Let them help.”

“They don’t know how I want it set up.”

“So, tell them. You don’t have to do everything yourself.”

“You’ve been really annoying ever since I agreed to move in with you.”

He kisses my cheek once more. “I annoyed you long before that, baby.”

As Noah disappears inside the house, I walk out to the truck and grab the extra cans of paint, then head back inside where all the action is.