Page 163 of A Little Tempting

“Hello, Raine,” Everett says, oblivious to Dylan’s presence. His greeting is tight and forced, making him sound like he’s about as comfortable as a guy who’s been told to sit in on a pap smear. Slowly, he reaches out his hand for her to shake, but she only stares at it. Like it’s a snake. One ready to lash out at any second.

“Raine,” I interrupt, “Everett can help you with your…issue.”

“Issue.” A quiet scoff echoes past her lips. “So that’s what we’re calling him.”

“Look, I gotta go, but, uh, you two chat. Figure shit out. And, Ev? If you need anything, let me know.”

After officially passing the torch to him, I turn on my heel and jog toward a waiting Dylan.

“Everything okay?” she asks, eyeing Raine and Ev behind me.

“Not yet, but it will be.” I wrap my arm around her waist and guide her around the corner so the two can have some privacy. “She’s Ev’s first client.”

“Client?”

“Yeah.”

“Oh.” Her eyes spark with understanding. “As in…”

“Yeah,” I confirm.

“She’s pretty.”

I nod. “Yeah, she is.”

“You sure Everett’s ready for this?”

“He’s always had a God complex. Might as well let him lean into the role, right?”

She rolls her eyes. “You’re insane.”

“Nah, I’m a genius.” I grip the back of her jersey and tug her closer to me. “I do like you in my jersey, though.”

“Mm-hmm. Of course, you do.”

“Might have to buy you a few more.”

“You’re gonna plaster me with your name every chance you get, aren’t you?”

“Actually.” I lean forward and drag my nose against hers in an Eskimo kiss. “I think it’s a great idea.”

“You’re insane,” she repeats.

“I think you mentioned that already.” I kiss her nose one more time, then stand to my full height. “Now, let’s get out of here.”

She rises onto her tiptoes and drags me back down, planting a kiss against my lips. “Deal.”

EPILOGUE

DYLAN

Warm lips hit my cheek, and my mouth spreads into a smile as I tilt my head, giving Oliver better access to the side of my face. “Merry Christmas, Pickles.”

With a yawn, I cover my mouth and roll onto my back. I’m greeted with…my glasses?

“Here.” Reeves slides them onto me, and I grin even wider as I look up at the most handsome man in the world. It’s so surreal. To think he’s mine and I’m his. The boy I found a little too tempting in my photography class. The boy who hates miscommunications and loves old movies and television shows. The boy who’s a sucker for peanut butter and cosplay. The boy who loves me.Me.Seriously. I still can’t believe I call him mine. It’s been a few months since we started seeing each other, and every single day is better than the last. My family loves him. I love him. Things are just…great. Well, they would be if he’d actually let me sleep in this morning.

His hair is still mussed from sleep, but his eyes are bright with enthusiasm as he stares down at me.

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