Page 88 of Starlight Bay

“Well, it’s not my career, exactly. It’s a job. There are more out there, but there’s only one you.” She smiled up at me, her cheeks flushing a soft pink.

“I mean, that part is true. There is only one me. But I can’t let you do that. If HR won’t relax the co-worker clause, we can hold off on us for now. I only signed a two-year contract. Sure, it seems like forever right at this moment, but I’ll wait for you. You’re worth it.”

Sydney smiled again, and this time it reached all the way to her glittering eyes.

“Thanks, Nick. But after being apart while you were in Arizona, there is absolutely no way I’m making it two more years. The last few months were some of the loneliest, worst months of my life and I don’t want to be without you again. Even if it means losing my job.”

I bent down, taking Sydney’s face in my hands, and pressed my lips to hers in a soft, slow kiss. “I love you,” I murmured against her lips.

“I love you, too.”

We kissed on the beach until both of us were shivering. “I have your coffee in the car,” I said, wrapping my arms aroundher petite frame, trying to keep her warm. “It might still be lukewarm.”

She laughed. “Okay. What about the bike?”

“I can fit it in the back. C’mon, let’s get home and see if we can work something out with HR. Then let’s celebrate Christmas.”

“Sounds good.” Sydney stood on her tiptoes, placing a kiss on my lips, and I knew I’d just received the best Christmas gift ever.

CHAPTER 19

SYDNEY

Turns out, we worried a lot about HR for nothing. As soon as we got back to Nick’s house, he called HR and left a message. Within an hour, we’d chatted with various members of the legal team and the head of the HR department herself and it was decided we could continue dating as long as I agreed to fair and equitable treatment for all team members and we both signed an addendum agreeing to keep our behavior at work professional.

Nick screwed up his face at this last part, but a swift elbow to the ribs changed his attitude and he came around. The team emailed us the paperwork, we both signed electronically, and the matter was put to bed.

Then later that night, so was I.

“You’re so amazing,” Nick said, his voice ragged as he rolled off my spent body. “I’m glad we got the HR thing squared away. I really didn’t want to have to wait two years to do that again.”

I giggled, nuzzling into his broad, firm chest. “There was no way I was letting that happen. I’d work at the local coffee shop if I had to.”

He leaned down, holding my chin in his hand. “Well, I’m glad you don’t have to do that. Although I do like coffee, especially free coffee.” He placed a firm kiss on my lips, his teeth teasing the seam of my lips until I opened to him.

Our tongues tangled together, our breathing synced, every part of our bodies and our lives perfectly aligned for the first time since we’d met.

“I’m glad you didn’t give up on me,” I whispered, breaking our kiss.

He brushed the rough skin of his thumb over my cheek, his eyes burning into mine. “I never will, Syd. Quitting you wasn’t even an option.”

I blinked, holding back tears, my throat tight. Nick sensed my emotions, gathering me up in his strong, warm embrace, holding me against his chiseled body. “I’ll always be here for you, babe,” he murmured into my hair.

I inhaled, his spicy, masculine scent comforting and exciting all at once. “I love you, Nick Milton.”

“And I love you, Sydney Porter.” He glanced over at the clock just as the hands clicked over to midnight. “Merry Christmas, Syd. Good news—your deal with me as my fake girlfriend is up. It ended at midnight.”

I smiled. “I don’t think I’ll ever agree to being a fake girlfriend again. I wasn’t very good at it.”

Nick chuckled. “I thought you were great. Just like the real thing.”

He brushed his lips over mine and I knew I was finally where I was meant to be. Nothing between Nick and me had ever been fake, no matter what we told ourselves. He may have been wrong about a few other things, but he’d been one hundred percent right about us.

Itwasfate—we were destined to be together forever.

“Merry Christmas, Nick.”

“Merry Christmas, Syd.”

We drifted off to sleep in each other’s arms, exactly where we were meant to be.

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