Page 160 of Some Like It Hot

“I actually meant should we intervene with Blake. Maybe try to distract him so he doesn’t have a heart attack before he gets to enjoy his retirement?” Simon asks.

I grin. “Now that’s not a bad idea.”

“Any suggestions about how to do that?” Simon asks with a little smirk.

I spot my husband across the room. He looks so good in the dress pants, and button-down shirt, one hand tucked in his pocket, a bottle of beer in the other. He is laughing, relaxed, surrounded by people he loves, clearly happy.

God, happy and relaxed looks good on him.

“Well, I have it on good authority that the storage room is the right size for two people, including a hockey-player-sized person, and is fairly private,” I say.

“Well, I can say, with authority, that the coat room is also very private and is a little more…intimate,” Simon says, lifting his glass for a nonchalant sip.

“Oh, you can say with authority?” I ask, nudging him. “And experience perhaps?”

He grins. “Yes.”

“And I didn’t get invited to the coat room party?”

“You were busy. And it was rather…spontaneous.”

I laugh. “Got it. So the coat room, huh?”

“Yes. I think Blake would enjoy it. It’s about the size of, oh I don’t know, an elevator car?” He smiles. “But there’s not much light in there.”

I laugh. "You don’t say. Well, I think I can work with that." I get up from my chair and lean over to kiss Simon on the cheek.

“I’ll send Aidan in to rescue you if you’re not back in ten minutes,” he says, giving my ass a little squeeze.

I laugh. “Don’t you dare.”

I take my phone from my purse and text my husband.

We need to talk.

I watch him check his phone, grin, and then lift his head to search for me.

I tip my head toward the hallway.

He immediately excuses himself from the group he’s chatting with and heads in my direction.

That, in and of itself, makes my heart flip. He will always be looking around any room for me. He will always want to be with me more than anyone else. He will always come to me with a simple tip of my head.

God. That is more of a gift than I ever expected to be given from any person. And I’ve been given it times three.

I hold out my hand as he draws close and he links his fingers with me. “Hey, Sugar.”

“Hey. I need a few minutes with you.”

“Only a few?”

“Yeah.” I give him a sly little smile. “For now.”

“I’m all yours.” He leans in and kisses me. “Thank you for this celebration.”

I smile. “I didn’t do much. I just made the reservation and talked to the catering department.”

“Not talking about just the party,” he tells me. “I’m talking about the celebration. I’m celebrating the start of the next chapter of my life and all the good things coming up have to do with you.”

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