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“The coffee smells good.” She chuckles, her eyes sparkling with the afterglow of our connection.

Leaning toward her, I tickle her ear softly with my lips. “We should drink up. We’re going to need it.”

Her skin pebbles with goose bumps, and she breathes out, long and heavy. “Yeah?”

“Yeah. I have the whole day off, and I want to spend as much time as possible inside you.”

She captures my gaze, the intensity in her eyes so raw and pure, my heart races. “I’ve been dreaming about this, being here with you. I thought I ruined it.”

“I haven’t been the same since you left,” I admit.

“Me either.” She kisses me. “This time will be different, I promise. Now that I know what life feels like without you, I don’t ever want to go back.”

Her words make my knees weak, and my chest ache. I want so badly to believe her. Whether her promises ring true or not is inconsequential because it’s clear I’m going to love her anyway.

CHAPTER19

LEXI

“Have fun at work. Be safe.” I lean across the center console and press my lips to his.

“Always. You too.” He gives me a side-eye, which I know comes from his worry over the bachelorette party tonight.

I kiss him again. “You don’t have to worry about me. I’m serious. After a respectable amount of time out with Claire and the girls, I will be back in bed loving you. Okay?”

“Okay.” He nods, every inch of his face so beautiful, he makes my heart flutter.

I hate leaving him, especially when things are going so good. Better than good—perfect. When he’s not at work, we've spent every spare second in each other’s arms. There have been hours of talking, cuddling, laughing, and of course making love.

For the first time in my life, I can say that—making love. Because he loves me. Boss isn’t the type of guy to say something that isn’t true.

He loves me, and I love him…and it’s…surreal.

I can’t say I ever saw this coming. Sure, I’ve seen examples of real love. I lived with two of the best examples my whole life, but I didn’t see it happening to me. A part of me was convinced I didn’t need it. I suppose that was my own self-preservation hard at work. If I don’t want something, it won’t hurt as much when I don’t get it.

My mom always said that love would find me when I was least expecting it, and I guess she’s right. When I first saw Boss in Cam’s bar months ago, I wanted to go home with him and have lots of sex. I mean, sure, who wouldn’t? Yet that was my pattern. Lots of sex. Loads of fun. No commitment. I never planned on falling for him. Boy, did I fall hard.

Since meeting Boss, visions of him have occupied all available space in my mind, every moment of the day. I think of him constantly. It’s an obsession, really. I started wondering if something was wrong with me. Now, I know, it was love.

Love makes us crazy.

I’m totally cool with that because it turns out, he’s crazy for me, too.

I don’t know what I did to deserve his love, but I’m not complaining.

We’ve yet to discuss what’s going to happen when I fly back to Florida after Claire’s wedding this weekend, but for me, it’s clear. I’m going to pack up what little I need from home, and I’m coming back. If Boss and I are going to have a real chance at making it, I have to be here. I want to be here. Unfortunately, it won’t be immediate. I’ll have to get a job and save money for a place up here, but I’ll make it happen. I’ve always been good at getting what I want. I’ve just never wanted anything that really mattered until now.

With a final kiss, I exit Boss’s car.

Watching as his car drives away, I let out a contented sigh…

When Boss’s car is no longer visible, I make my way into Cam and Claire’s building and up to their apartment. Today will be jam-packed with tying up last-minute odds and ends for the wedding, while tonight will be dinner and dancing to celebrate the bachelorette. It’s going to be a busy day for sure, which is good. Hopefully, it will fly by.

* * *

The bass pounds loudlyfrom the speakers to a perfect dance rhythm. It’s some mash-up with two top forty songs and lots of beats, and I’m digging it.

“Here you go!” I hand the tipsy bride-to-be a bottle of water before handing the rest of bottles out to the other women in our group.

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