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“What?”
“You think this is it?” He chuckled. “Nope. I’ve got to keep my streak.”
“You’ve got your work cut out for you.”
“I know. But I’m confident I’ll get a hat trick of six stars.”
“Pretty sure that’s not how hat tricks work.”
“Probably not. Maybe I should stay away from sports metaphors.”
“Might be a good idea.”
“Come on.” He blew a raspberry against my nape.
“Eek!” I let out my second shriek of the night and wriggled out of his arms.
He caught my hand. “Let’s go say hi to people, eat some food, and hydrate in anticipation of tonight.”
I let him pull me toward his work friends, barely able to contain my grin.
The past two years had been a rollercoaster of ups and downs in both our personal and professional lives, but we’d come out on the other side stronger than ever.
Unfortunately, Caleb had been forced to go no-contact with his mother. Russ hadn’t reacted well when they’d found out about us. The only good thing that had come out of that situation was Russ was completely out of mine and my brother’s lives as well. It would seem his hatred of us being queer exceeded his desire to get a piece of whatever we accomplished in life.
I still worked with Zane and River, but now Stone was our boss. He’d started a contracting business about six months ago, and we’d signed on as his first employees. He now had two full crews and enough contracts to keep us busy.
My meal prep business had evolved over the years, and now I made and delivered meals for seniors and other people who needed a little extra help to live independently. I loved the challenge of finding meals my clients enjoyed that fit within whatever dietary restrictions they had.
I’d had to quit dancing last year because my schedule had been too busy and I’d been on the verge of burning out, but I still did featured slots at the club every few months for fun.
Caleb had switched from being an ED nurse to working as a surgical nurse. He loved his job, and while it was still insanely stressful and he worked far too many hours, he was happy, and that was what mattered.
We’d decided to move in together when Caleb’s lease ended. And now, eighteen months after that, we had a home that was filled with love and laughter. We constantly hosted people for dinner, and our spare room got a ton of use between my little siblings having sleepovers, and our out-of-town friends crashing with us when they visited.
Life with Caleb was everything I’d ever wished for but never thought I deserved. He loved me completely and unfailingly, the same as I loved him. Things weren’t perfect and they weren’t always easy, but we made sure to put in the work to keep our relationship strong, and we’d made a deal to never go to sleep mad.
Two years ago I’d been a lonely, angry, and floundering mess with no hope or aspirations beyond making it through each day. I’d been convinced I was broken and that no one could ever love me.
Now I was happy, in love, and flourishing. I had my best friend and biggest cheerleader by my side, and I still got butterflies whenever Caleb walked into the room.
He was the best thing that ever happened to me, and I couldn’t wait to spend the rest of my life loving him.
* * *
