Page 109 of Knotted Laces

“I know,” I say but then my focus is diverted.

Because my heart is now standing in front of me, held safe and protected and…in Cam’s hands.

Lex gives him a noogie. “Love you, kid.”

“Ugh.” He bats him away then smiles. “Love you too—even though you’re a pain in my ass.”

“Rude.”

But then Cam is helping me fold into the seat, and he’s saying goodbye to Lex, who says that we’ll see him later for lunch before he flies home.

And we’re heading home.

After my nap, with Cookie by my side, we hang with Lex. And after my second nap—I’m resting, okay?—he hands me my laptop and a warm cinnamon roll.

And afterthatwe spend a perfect evening killing orcs.

It’s not what I expected, or even what I dreamed of.

And it’s not perfect, but that’s okay.

Because I know that Cam and I are going to make sure it’s perfect forus.

With cinnamon rolls and whisky and a cat who makes biscuits on my face.

And each other.

That’s the most important part.

EPILOGUE

Athena, Two Months Later

“You know,”I say as I watch my man shrug into a suit jacket that should be sin personified, “you never did tell me why you call me cupcake.”

He grins as he straightens his tie. “No,” I say, “I didn’t.”

I prop my hands beneath my chin, holding still as Cookie crawls up my back, nuzzling at my hair. “Meow,” he croons, settling in for his mid-mid-midafternoon nap.

“Are yougoingto?” I prompt when he doesn’t go on.

His grin widens as he comes to the bed and puts on his shoes. “I wasn’t planning on it.”

I swat at him, disturbing Cookie, who gives me a baleful look before curling up against my side.

“Meow,” he warns.

“Cam,”Iwarn.

He leans down and kisses my temple. “You’re beautiful,” he says simply.

Those two words never fail to send my heart skittering and today is no exception. “Honey,” I whisper.

“That’s the truth”—he cups my jaw, slants his mouth over mine for a long, drugging kiss—“andthe explanation.”

He stands and starts gathering his stuff for the game, and I’m so in the haze of his pleasurable distraction that it takes me a minute to process his words. “What do you mean, it’s the explanation?”

His lips twitch as he slings his messenger bag over his shoulder then holds his hand out. “I mean what I said.”

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