Page 108 of Up All Night

Slowly, I lowered my head to hers, our lips almost touching. “I love you, Halle.”

It was probably too soon to say those words, but I couldn’t keep the truth from tumbling out of my mouth.

“I love you, too, West.”

I captured her mouth with mine, moving and exploring, having missed the taste of her. Kissing her now, I knew I could never go back to not having her in my life.

We moved together, the song long over, but our mouths seemed to know a dance all their own. She had woken me up, quite literally, and shown me that the life I had been living was a mere shadow of the life that I could have with her.

Yes, Halle had woken me up with her rays of sunshine, and I couldn’t wait to see what adventures we’d have in the days ahead—planned and unplanned.

Epilogue

West

Three months later

“West you freaking cheater Vanderhall,” Halle exclaimed.

I’d heard those words before, and just like the first time I heard them, a huge smile spread across my face.

We’d been sitting on the couch in my apartment watchingCelebrity Jeopardy(like the exciting, cool couple that we were) while I massaged her feet where they rested in my lap, when a category about state capitals led to Halle challenging me to a head-to-head competition of who-knows the most state capitals.

I put up my hands in defense. “Hey, it’s not my fault my mom made me memorize a song about the states and their capitals.”

She rolled her eyes, sitting up and removing her feet from my lap. “Who even knows about a song like that?”

I shrugged. “It was from some old show calledAnimaniacs.”

She folded her arms. “I still think you cheated.”

To prove I had in no way cheated, I started to sing. “Baton Rouge, Louisiana, Indianapolis, Indiana, and Columbus is the capital of Ohio—”

She smacked my chest, interrupting my song, but before she could pull her arm back, I grabbed her wrist, pulling her toward me. Her body came to sit on mine, her legs straddling my waist as she looked down at me.

“I guess I’m just not used to you winning,” she said cheekily.

I shook my head, smiling. She could win every competition because at the end of the day, having her in my arms every night made me feel like the real winner.

The past three months had been the best of my life. I’d told my dad I would no longer be available on the weekends and that I’d be leaving the office at six every evening. He’d harrumphed but was also glad I had not only found someone I wanted to spend my time with, but that I was doing what I needed to do to continue to find joy in Vanderhall Capital and be the best venture capitalist I could be. I understood there might be times when I would have to work late, but I would make sure those were few and far between.

I was also finding immense joy in watching Halle fulfill her dream. Her dance studio, Dancing Dreams, had opened two weeks ago, and things were going better than she had imagined. There was still more work to do to continue building her business, but she was happy and only working one job now.

I placed my hands on her waist, loving how I was the one who got to touch her in the simple, everyday sort of way. The simple gestures here and there showed we meant more to each other, we were a couple, and we were so crazy about one another we were like two magnets being drawn together.

“Now that I know you’re securely mine,” I gripped her waist, “it’s time I stop letting you win.”

Her mouth fell open, her indignant shock making me laugh.

“Let me win?” Her feisty voice rose a level.

“Are you being a repeat offender?” I teased.

I had never let her win—she’d always won fair and square—but I loved getting her all riled up.

She pursed her lips, but there was no real heat in her look. “I think the only way to settle this is with another competition.”

I grinned up at her like a giddy fool. I was so gone for this girl. “Yeah, and what do you challenge me to this time?”

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