Page 109 of A Moment In Time

She put her hand on the doorknob. “Just don’t look at my messy house.”

“I’m not going to be looking at your house.”

She turned the knob and opened the door, then took his hand and led him inside. It was dark, and she put a hand on his chest.

“I’ll get the lights.”

He put his arms around her. “We don’t need the lights.” He pulled her in for a kiss.

She whispered in his ear. “Does this mean you’re ready?”

He kissed her again, conveying just how ready he was.

They kissed their way across the living room and down the hall to her bedroom, leaving a trail of clothing behind them.

As they lay in the dark, Sydney whispered. “You finally did it.”

“Did you think I wouldn’t? Or couldn’t?”

She laughed. “No. That’s not what I meant. You reached perfection.”

“How do you figure?”

“Well, if that wasn’t perfection, I don’t know what is.”

“Hmm. I disagree.” He kissed the back of her neck. “But I promise I’ll keep trying to get there. No matter how long it takes.”

“Okay. Maybe I’m wrong.”

“But right now, I need to get some sleep.”

“It has been a very long day. Exciting day. Interesting day.” She rubbed his arm. “Wonderful day.”

“Shh. We’ll continue this conversation in the morning. I have a feeling perfection might be a little more attainable when I’m not so tired and didn’t eat and drink so much.” He kissed her again. “It’s okay if I stay, right?”

“Of course. You can stay forever.”

He yawned. “I will definitely consider that.”

Chapter thirty-one

"Selfies aren't an acceptable form of photography."

After a couple tries for perfection, Gage and Sydney were sitting in her kitchen eating breakfast. She made them waffles with strawberries and whipped cream. They were wearing minimal clothing. Him in just his jeans, and her in a t-shirt and her underwear.

Sydney sipped some coffee. “We should work on your acceptance speech.”

“For the paper?”

“For the paper and for the town meeting in two weeks.”

“The paper will be more of an announcement.”

“Right. With a lovely picture of you.”

Gage blew out a breath. “I love taking pictures of other people. But I’m not so fond of having my picture taken.”

“I’ll take it. It’s that or a selfie with your phone.”

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