Page 82 of The Temporary Roomie: Extended Edition

I watch closely, hardly believing I have him here to experience this with me. Two months ago, I thought I’d be alone in this moment. But instead, I have a man I love and a best friend at my side.

His eyes drop to my baby girl squirming against my chest, and he rubs his hand over her sweet little back. “Well? Who do we have here?” he asks, and the final pieces of my heart left intact burst like confetti at the wordwe.

“Jane Alexandria Barnes,” I say, tossing a brief smile and wink to Lucy, who inadvertently helped me name my baby girl.

Drew’s smile widens and his eyes pool with tears again. He bites his bottom lip and runs his knuckles ever so delicately against her little spine. “Well then,” he says, sniffling adorably. “Welcome to the world, Jane. I already love you, sweet girl.”

The rest of our stay in the hospital is a blur of sleepless nights, snuggles, visits from family and friends, and lots and lots of doting from Drew. He never leaves my side, taking the whole week off to stay with me and Jane. One of my favorite sights in all the world is waking up from a nap to the sight of Drew shirtless and rocking my baby girl against his tattooed shoulder while the sun spills over them through the window. He sings to her constantly—usually made-up songs about how precious she is or how hot her mama is—and there’s a certainty in his love for us, a finality I don’t have to question. Because somehow, it’s as if Drew and I were always meant to be. When Drew loves, he loves fiercely. He’s not going anywhere, and if there is one thing I’m certain of, it’s that Drew Marshall would move heaven and earth for me and my daughter, and I would do the same for him.

But I willnevertell him where I hid the Frosty mug.

EPILOGUE

Drew

It’s been eight weeks since Jessie brought Jane into the world, eight weeks since my universe turned on its end in the best way imaginable. Don’t get me wrong, I’m exhausted. It’s nothing compared to how exhausted Jessie is since she’s the one having to wake up what feels like every hour to feed Jane, but we’re happy, that deliriously tired happy that comes with building a new family. And a family we definitely are. Jessie and I might not have had a conventional start or middle, but in the end, we are a family.

After we left the hospital, Jessie officially moved in with me, and now it’s not my house, it’s our house. I’m sure some people think we are insane, but we can’t get up the energy to care. Possibly because we’re too tired? What does it matter what other people think when we are so happy together?

Jessie’s house hasn’t gone to waste, though. After meeting his new great-granddaughter, Jessie’s grandaddy decided it was time to part with his old home. He packed everything up, sold his house in record time, and bought Jessie’s from her. It’s all come together seamlessly, and I can’t help but think it’s because it was always meant to be. He didn’t sell the plaid couch, though—that fantastic piece of furniture is sitting smack-dab in the middle of Jessie’s trendy living room.

Shortly after giving birth, Jessie texted her ex and told him he had a baby girl. He texted back asking for a picture and a name, and although she wanted to just text him a picture of her middle finger, she did send one of Jane. He actually came to visit once a few weeks ago. It wasn’t anything groundbreaking, and sadly, I don’t foresee him being in Jane’s life much, but Jessie did open the door in case he wants to be around in the future.

It’s okay, because Jane already has a man in her life who loves her and will spoil her rotten for the rest of her days. Which brings me to now.

Currently, Jessie is asleep, rolled over to face Jane, who is asleep in the bassinet beside the bed. The sun is up and warm, spilling through the window and casting a bronze glow over Jessie’s mostly bare shoulder, only covered by the thin strap of her nursing tank top. I was going to wait for her to wake up naturally, but I can’t wait any longer.

“Jessie,” I say, running the back of my knuckle gently down her arm. “Jess, wake up.” I kiss her neck softly.

She makes the sweetesthmmnoise as she stirs and rolls over to face me, eyes still closed, a soft smile on her full pink lips. I trace my finger across her Cupid’s bow, making her smile widen.

“Wake up,” I say gently. “I have something to ask you.”

She takes in a deep breath and finally her eyes crack open. They blink a few times before they land on the open ring box lying between us on the mattress. I smile as I watch her eyes immediately shut tight and then fly back open like she’s making sure what she’s seeing is real. Suddenly, she shoots up in bed, clutching the sheets to her chest and whipping her head around to stare at me expectantly.

“Is that what I think it is?!”

I grin and sit up, set the ring box in her lap, and then lean in close to kiss her shoulder before looking into her glittering green eyes. “Jessie, it’s no secret that I love you with everything I am. Inever saw you coming, but you and Jane are the best thing that’s ever happened to me, and I never,everwant to let you go. We did everything backward and out of order, but I wouldn’t change it for the world.” I raise her hand and kiss her knuckles. “Marry me, Jess. Live with me and let me love you for the rest of our lives.”

Her hand has been covering her mouth for half of this speech, and the moment I finish talking, she starts nodding emphatically.

“Yes?” I ask with a hopeful smile.

More nods, then her hand drops away and I can see her beautiful smile. “Yes! Of course, yes!” Jessie tackles me back onto the bed and starts lavishing ridiculous kisses all over my face, each one punctuated by the wordyesover and over.

I laugh and wrap my arms around her, flipping over so I’m pinning her in. I reach back for the box and remove the ring. I look down at Jessie, blond hair fanning out around her face, soft smile on her lips, camisole askew and showing off her smooth, gorgeous skin, and I memorize every detail before I slip the ring onto her finger.

I lean down and slowly kiss her lips, leisurely lavishing her with affection and trying to savorher.

Later, standing in the kitchen, Jessie looks down at her ring, and I see a mischievous smile settle in the corner of her mouth. She lets out a strangled laugh.

“What is it?” I ask, frowning at the sight of her laughing at the diamond ring I spent hours deciding on.

Her shoulders are shaking. “I was just thinking about the ring you gave me for the first proposal!” She pauses to fully laugh now. “Your colleagues are all going to think I made you buy me a better ring!”

When Jessie and I started dating, we decided I wouldn’t correct her prank or tell my colleagues the truth. After my grandgesture proposal at the gala, word of my engagement spread fast around the hospital, and thankfully, no one has come on to me anymore at work. Neither Jessie nor I minded the title either. It feels good that it’s official between us now too.

My smile falls, and I narrow my eyes dangerously on her. “I forgot about that tiny damn ring. You know, I don’t think I ever properly paid you back for that little prank.” I set my coffee cup down gently on the counter, and Jessie stops laughing.

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