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I turned back to Carrie, alone again. “So you wanna shack up, huh?”

“In a heartbeat.”

“Well.” I slid a strand of hair behind my ear, enjoying the way she watched me do it. “Why don’t we eat and flirt and banter and talk about the amazing quality of the food and then take it from there? Also, that’s code for likely yes. Let’s just check a few boxes first.”

She didn’t hesitate. She kissed me like a pro in that very parking lot, and not just a quick one either. I leaned back against the car, andshe melded herself to me right there in public. Everything was right with the world. I hadn’t been breathing until this moment, holding my breath until we were back where we were supposed to be. The air here was wonderful, plentiful, and the best kind of high.

“Mmm. What about a fast dinner?” I asked around the kiss. “I’m a speedy eater.”

“I vote for that. Appetizers?”

“Well, we’re not skipping dessert. How about dessert followed by…another kind of dessert.”

“You have the best brain. And lips. Come here.” The woman I loved leaned down and kissed me silly up against a car in a restaurant’s parking lot in a city in which we were both well-known. She wasn’t afraid or ashamed to do that, to pick me, to love me in front of the whole world, and that made my heart swell immensely.

After the fastest consumption of scallops and a flourless chocolate cake with two scoops of vanilla ice cream, we were back at her place in bed, battling for control.

“You’re a tiger tonight,” Carrie whispered, as I tossed the white sweater dress over my shoulder and stared down at her in the pale blue bra and panties that were about to be next. “And I’m not complaining at all.” She was right. My newfound confidence guided me forward as I worshiped her body. Slowly, deliberately, and without a shred of trepidation. We were anus, and I had this firm inkling that we always would be. There were just some things in life that felt right. You knew when that click of perfection happens, and that night, everything fell into its rightful spot beneath the watchful eyes of the fates and the stars. Our click. Hell, I even sounded like a sappy romantic but wouldn’t change a thing. We made love more than a few times that night, savoring the excitement and celebration that came with a reunion.

“I love you,” I whispered in her ear when we cuddled up in a sliver of moonlight.

“Never stop,” she said, covering my arms with hers. “Because nothing shines without you. Remember that.” She leaned back and kissed me softly. “I love you so much, Skyler Ruiz.”

I smiled, fulfilled from outside in and looking forward to every single day ahead. Judgment and scrutiny at work? Bring ’em on. I had something wonderful to come home to. A punch in the face? Lay it on me. Didn’t matter.

I had Carrie and she had me.

Epilogue

Strawberries in the summer hit the spot. Strawberries tossed into a pitcher of lemonade exploded with flavor. Strawberry cake? Excellent. Milkshakes were even better. That’s why the Peak of Berries Festival in the small town of Tanner Peak was a true celebration, especially now that I could simply enjoy the festival as an attendee and not have to cover the event. Eat the food. Play the games. Stroll the stroll.

Speaking of work, Carrie had just wrapped shooting a segment forThe Secret Sauceunderneath the festival pavilion in front of a live audience. The show had really taken off. Her viewership was through the roof, blowing past expectations, which offered the show a much bigger budget, and an up-front order for more episodes.

“Good God. Did you see the size of the strawberry milkshake? It has cake coming out the top,” Carrie asked, coming down the steps. “It was so good, too.” She shook her head in wonder. “This festival is insane. I can’t believe I’ve never attended it before. And you were right. It’s perfect for the show. Kiss me.”

I did as I was asked and grinned against her lips, tasting the strawberry milkshake. “I have a few secrets to pass on. Have you seen my family?”

Carrie nodded and glanced behind her. “Grace is walking around with Micky, who’s prancing, by the way. He adores it here. You can tell. He’s already had, like, six strawberries.”

“Love you guys,” a passerby said from beneath a giant strawberry hat. “We’re from San Diego and watchThe Secret Sauceeach week. Glad she agreed to go on that date, huh, Skyler?”

“Asking was a good move,” I called back and squeezed her hand.

“And so very public. You had guts.”

“Well, the payoff was pretty great.”

Carrie turned to me. “I’m hoping for the same payoff.”

I squinted “From what?”

She grinned. “The segment is not quite over. Did I mention we’re still rolling?”

“No.” I studied her, mystified. “What’s going on?”

“Why don’t we walk back up the stairs? Here we go.” She took my hand and led the way, as I followed, struggling to piece together the puzzle. My stomach contained a swarm of butterflies, but I wore a big smile, too. I knew I was safe with Carrie. That everything would be okay.

Moments later, we were on the small stage that they’d used to shoot the show, and to my surprise, the audience was still very much in their seats. Had that ending applause been fake? What was going on?

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