Page 117 of Matchmaking the Rival

Epilogue

Cade

"Meredith, you needa break.” I walked up behind my fiancée in our new kitchen, putting an arm around her waist. She wanted to prepare everything herself for our housewarming party. I'd tried to warn her that with so many people, it was going to be a massive undertaking, and we should at least cater part of it, but she insisted. We spent all morning prepping ‘finger food.’

I kissed the side of her neck. She was tense, so I stepped back, putting both hands on her shoulders, massaging them.

"Oh yeah. You can do that any time you want," she murmured.

I groaned, imagining what other sounds I could get out of her. That desire only intensified when she bit her lip.

"You think they’ll like it here?" she asked.

I bunched her dress, putting my hand on her leg. I loved feeling her skin. It was soft and so damn kissable.Shewas kissable. "Of course they will. Why are you so nervous?"

"I don't know. I just want everyone to be happy in our home."

I kissed the back of her hand. "I know they will be."

"Thank you," she murmured, "for finding this gorgeous place and indulging me."

"Meredith, indulging you is my honor." I lived for the moments when her face lit up. I made myself a promise to give her at least one reason to be happy every day. "I love you, Meredith."

She sighed, putting her hands on my neck. "How can you make me melt every time you say that?"

My chest was bursting with pride. That was exactly the effect I wanted to have on her.

As I kissed her forehead, the doorbell rang.

I groaned. “How can they be here so early?”

“I bet it’s my family,” she replied.

"Ready?"

She nodded excitedly. "Yeah."

Meredith was right. Her mom and dad had arrived along with Everly, Derek, and their daughter, Kate. Everly had the baby the day after Christmas, which made the holiday even more special for everyone.

“I love this house so much,” Meredith’s mom said.

“You two did a great job with it,” her father added.

Everly kissed my cheek. “And you keep doing a great job of making my sister happy. I’m a big fan of yours, just so you know.”

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