Page 154 of Take What You Want

“Fuck,” Hallie whistles. “Well, I doubt there was going to be an easy way for him to find out that his buddy is clapping his sister’s cheeks.”

“Hallie!”

She laughs and I join her, lightness flooding my chest.

As that dies down, she shifts topics. “So Chester really just pulled you into the office to fire you?”

“Yep.”

“I’m surprised he didn’t send you an email and call it a day.”

“Me too.” I snort. “I was going to quit anyways, so honestly, it’s the least of my concerns lately.” I already had my plans lined up so the panic of being fired never fully set in. Plus, Arun sent me an email, reassuring me of my new position and giving me an official office number to set up in on Monday, so I’m good.

“You’re not coming back to Boston, are you?” she asks sadly.

“No,” I whisper. “I’m sorry.”

Hallie audibly swallows before she clears her throat. Her voice shakes slightly when she speaks. “Don’t apologize. It’s what’s best for you. It’s Chester’s loss and he’ll see that eventually. You deserve to be out there where you’re happiest. I just wish we didn’t have a six-hour flight between us now.”

“I’m still going to come visit,” I promise. “And I’ll fly you out here anytime you want. Our house is always open to you.”

“Ourhouse?” Her voice rises with excitement. “As in, it’s officially yours and his and not just his?”

I can’t stop the smile that breaks out. “Yes, it’s ours. I’m not going anywhere.” We wasted almost ten years being apart, and we don’t want to waste anymore. Last night, he went into my bathroom, scooped up my things, and swiftly took them into his. He was so deliberate about making sure everything had a spot while I watched on.

“Your room is going back to a guest room, and this one is ours now.”

I kept my clothes in the guest closet because he has far too many in his own, but that’s a problem for another day.

“I’m happy for you, Janie. I’m going to miss you like hell out here, but truly, I’m excited for you.”

I’m excited for me, too.

We chat for a few more minutes before hanging up and I make my way into the garage. I heard the door open when I was on the phone, but Nikolai never appeared. As soon as I open the door, I find the man I love leaning back against his bike with my helmet in one hand and his leather jacket in the other.

His lips tilt at the corner as he croons, “Want to go for a ride, LJ?”

I squeal excitedly as I bound across the floor and kiss him. It’s been a while since we’ve been on a ride together and I didn’t realize how much I missed it. He tastes like spearmint and I nip at his lip playfully before pulling back.

“Someone’s in a good mood,” he says and holds out his jacket for me to slip into. Once it’s on, he turns me around and zips it up to my chin.

“Is that a bad thing?”

His eyes sparkle as he looks at me like I’m the only person in the world to him. “No. I love seeing you happy.”

You make me happy.

He kisses my forehead before he hands me my helmet and I pull it on. I lift my chin so he can do the strap. He quickly fastens his own and we hop on. As he backs us out of the garage, he looks over his shoulder at me.

“Remember how resistant you were to getting on this with me just a few months ago?” he teases, squeezing my thigh with a gloved hand.

I wrap my arms around his waist and lean my chin into the crook of his neck. His body is warm against mine, and I smile as I say, “I know you’d never let me get hurt. I trust you.”

EPILOGUE

NIKOLAI

Six Months Later

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