Page 103 of The Chase

I moved to my side and smiled at him. “Your dirty girl.”

“Damn right!” he cheered, but I saw him wince from the bruising on his lower abdomen.

I slid my hand down his torso and lightly grazed over the bruised skin. He flinched at my touch. “It hurts?”

He shrugged it off. “Nothing I can’t handle.”

I got out of bed and threw on his t-shirt. I ignored him asking where I was going while I went downstairs into the kitchen. I realized we never put away the lasagna, so I did that first and made sure the pan was soaking in the sink. I went into the freezer for an ice pack and wrapped it in a dishtowel.

Back upstairs in my room, TJ laid in my bed, scrolling through his phone. He smiled at me when I crawled into bed and placed the pack on his injury.

“Thanks, baby,” he said with a dopey smile.

“I hate seeing you in pain. I know you can take it, but I hate seeing you wince like that.”

His hazel eyes sparkled at me. “See? I love that you take care of me.”

I gave him a grin. “Kei says you love that I baby you.”

He laughed. “It’s nice to be cared for and know someone will always be there for me when I need it.”

I pressed a kiss on his forehead. “I’m glad you gave me a second chance.”

“Of course I did. I told you, you’re my girl. When you smile at me, you make my whole day brighter. Now get over here and give me cuddles.”

I smiled at him. That was one thing that surprised me about TJ. He could be such a cuddle monster.

I let him wrap his arms around me, and I was careful not to jostle him. I knew his bruises weren’t major, but I still wanted to care for him. He kissed the top of my head. “I love you, Maxine. And I’m done chasing you.”

I grinned at him. “Well, good, because I’m tired of running. I love you, Tristan James Desjardins.”

“Ha! Nobody ever asks what the ‘J’ stands for!”

“I asked Rox.”

He grinned again and brought me down for another searing kiss.

I didn’t know what the future held for us, but my heart was about to burst from happiness that he was by my side again. Things could only get better from here.

EPILOGUE

TWO YEARS LATER

TJ

“Are you sure about this?” my twin sister asked me for the third time.

I paced in the room Max and I were sharing this week at my parents’ cottage. Hockey season was over, and our family was spending a week of relaxation and fun at the lake.

Except for me. I was having a tiny meltdown about what I planned on doing this week.

“Do you think she won’t like the ring?” I asked.

I opened the box and looked down at the simple princess cut engagement ring. The square-shaped diamond wasn’t too big, but it was elegant and pretty, just like Max, and not too showy. I wanted something that symbolized my love for her but also matched her down-to-earth style.

Rox shook her head. “Max will love it. It’s classy yet simple. But are you ready for this commitment?”

“Roxie, I want the two-point-five kids and the white picket fence. Maybe even the big house in the suburbs, too.”