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“That sounds like a great plan.”
“I’m good at planning.”
He smiled. “What do you have planned for the rest of the night?”
“Besides holding onto you and never letting you go?”
“That’s a good start, but yes…”
“Well, first,” I began, “I’m going to tell you how much I love you, then I’m going to show you how glad I am you’re home and how much I missed you.”
“That sounds like a great plan, too.”
“Told you I’m good at that.”
“You, Ronan Pak, are good at a lot of things.”
I slipped my arm from around his shoulders, got to my feet and held out my hand.
As soon as he took it and rose to his feet, I pulled him into me and whispered, “I love you. I’m glad you’re home and I missed you more than you’ll ever know.”
His amazing blue eyes crinkled at the corners. They held a sheen and his nostrils flared slightly. “I love you, I can’t wait for us to make a home together and I promise you’ll never have to miss me again.”
I didn’t want to assume our relationship would be perfect.
I thought that before and learned the hard way I was wrong.
Nothing was perfect.
At twenty, I had stars in my eyes.
Now at almost thirty-three? I had stardust.
But we’d continue to build on what we had until I could clearly see those stars once again.
EPILOGUE
WHERE IT STARTED
Tate (A year later)
I pulled my Toyota Highlander beneath River View Heights and parked it next to the Maserati.
I was home much later than normal since my boss had pulled me into his office as I was getting ready to leave for the evening. He had given me the news I’d been hoping for and I couldn’t wait to share it with Ronan.
I grabbed my phone off the passenger-side seat and figured I’d let him know I was on my way up to our penthouse, in case he had dinner already warming in the oven.
I texted, I’m home. I’ll be up shortly, then hurried to get out of the car. While jogging up the steps to the door, I got an answering text. I glanced at it quickly as I pushed my way into the lobby.
Once the door closed behind me, I paused and read the text again because there was no way I read that correctly the first time.
Meet me on the roof. Be on your knees willing and waiting.
My eyebrows pinned together and I scrubbed a hand over my hair.
What the hell? What was Ronan thinking? It wasn’t even ten o’clock yet so the other residents would still have access to the roof. Plus, I was still wearing a suit.
I was also tired to the point I decided to skip my swim tonight. Really, all I wanted to do was head upstairs, get undressed, grab something to eat and then curl up with Ronan for the rest of the night. After telling him the news first, of course.
When the exterior doors opened, I saw the Callahans and Mr. Pibbles heading inside.
Shit.
I stabbed the elevator button a dozen times to hurry the car along, even though I knew that wouldn’t work. But desperation made one do desperate things.
As soon as the doors slid open, I just about threw myself inside and frantically pushed the button to close the doors.
I breathed a sigh of relief as my view of the Callahans was cut off before they made it from the vestibule into the lobby. I didn’t want to fight off the little shit Mr. Pibbles while he snapped at my ankles. I didn’t think my head could take his obnoxious yapping, either. Nor did I want to deal with Mrs. Callahan’s sneer that she always pointed our way once they realized Ronan and I weren’t only roommates.
I stared at the numbers on the display above the doors as they ticked up one floor at a time. Finally, it arrived at the roof access level and as soon as they opened, I stepped out of the elevator, out of the exit door and onto the roof into the slightly chilly night air.
I glanced around and was relieved the space was empty of any of our neighbors. I’m sure none of them wanted to get to know us any better than they already did.
The regular lights were off and only the pool and string lights were lit, giving the area a soft glow.
I automatically went to the pergola I had kneeled under the time Ronan had used the Grindr app to message me and demand I meet him on the roof.
The hookup app had long been deleted from both our phones. We would never need it again. If something ever happened between Ronan and me, I swear I’d become a monk and only concentrate on my children.
My lips twitched at my own lie about becoming a monk. Or even becoming celibate. I’d eventually implode if I tried.
