Page 106 of The Assist
“Yeah,” I whisper. “I do.”
There’s a pause on the other end of the line. “Then you do it,” Sophie says fiercely. “You go all in. But you be smart. You protect yourself. You don’t let anyone make you feel guilty for choosing happiness.”
Tears prick the back of my eyes. “I love you,” I say, my voice thick with emotion.
“I know,” she says smugly. “Now go kick some ass.”
We hang up, and I sit there for a long moment, staring at nothing.
The risk is real and the fallout could be messy. My career, my reputation; they’re on the line. But so is Dylan’s. And for the first time in a long time, I’m not willing to play it safe. Not when it comes to him.
Once I’ve eaten and cleaned away everything in the kitchen and loaded the dishwasher, I drag out my contract, highlighter in hand, and start marking up every vague word, every technicality. Because if I’m doing this, I’m doing it properly.
I’m protecting us both.
By the time I finish, the sun’s high overhead, and my stomach’s rumbling again.
I shoot Dylan a text.
Mia: “You around later?”
The reply comes almost instantly.
Dylan: Always. You okay?
My heart gives a little kick.
Mia: Better now.
Dylan: Come over. Bring that ridiculous unicorn. I miss it.
I laugh out loud. And for the first time in days, the weight on my chest feels a little lighter. Maybe love isn’t about being fearless and more about being scared shitless, but still choosing to stay anyway.
CHAPTER FIFTY-ONE
MIA
By the time I pull up outside Dylan’s house, the sun’s slipping low, washing the sky in streaks of pink and gold. The unicorn is crammed into the passenger seat next to me, its ridiculous pink horn bent at an awkward angle. I can’t believe I actually brought it. I can’t believe hewantedme to.
I grab the unicorn by its neck, laughing under my breath, and climb out of the car.
The second I knock, the door swings open and there he is. Barefoot, in grey sweatpants and a plain black t-shirt, fresh from the shower. His face breaks into the kind of slow, devastating smile that punches all the air from my lungs.
“You actually brought it,” he says, grinning. I shove the unicorn into his chest.
“You demanded it,” I say primly. He catches it easily, tossing it onto the sofa behind him before reaching for me. And just like that, I’m in his arms, my face pressed against his chest, the scent of his clean skin, and soap, wrapping around me like something I’ve been missing my whole life.
“I missed you,” he murmurs into my hair.
“It’s been six hours,” I tease.
“Still missed you,”he says, his voice that familiar rough tone.
God, I missed him too. I missed the way everything in me settles when I’m near him. The world can spin however it wants but I’m exactly where I’m supposed to be. He kisses the top of my head, my temple, my jaw. Soft, greedy presses of his mouth that make my knees weak.
“C’mon,” he says, tugging me gently inside. “Let’s eat before I end up taking you apart instead.”
The words spark through me, hot and bright. But I follow him into the kitchen, heart hammering stupidly. He’s got takeaway containers spread across the counter. Thai food from the good place near the rink. A bottle of wine breathing on the side, and two glasses already set out next to dinner plates.
