“I don’t need to think about it.”
“Seriously, Teagan, I know it’s a big deal, and I didn’t mean to spring it on you right before the first farmers’ market of the year. You can let it percolate for a while.” He brings my hand to his lips and kisses the back of it.
“Can I be honest with you?” I ask.
“Of course. Always.” His expression is earnest.
“I only have a handful of outfits left at the apartment.”
“Really?”
“And I haven’t slept at the apartment in over a week.”
His brows pull together. “That was last weekend, when we had dinner with your brother and Dillion.”
“And you stayed the night with me,” I remind him.
A slow smile spreads across his face. “That’s right. You were frisky.”
My cheeks heat with the memory, and his expression shifts back to serious. “Does that mean we’ve been living together for a while and we didn’t even realize it?”
I chuckle. “It seems that way.”
“So can we make it officially official?”
“We can.”
“And you’re not just saying yes because you feel like you have to?”
I arch a brow.
“Just checking.” His palm curves around the back of my neck, and he pulls me in for a kiss. One full of promise.
Aaron is my partner. My person. My rock.
And I know, in my heart, that we’ll love each other the most on those days when it’s hardest for us to love ourselves.
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
Kidlet and hubs, your support is unwavering. Thank you for standing behind me every step of the way.
Pepper, thank you for your insight, for your support, and most of all, for your friendship. I adore you.
Kimberly, thank you for helping me make this one the best it could be.
Sarah, you are amazing, and I’m grateful that I have you as a friend and as part of my support team.
Hustlers, I couldn’t ask for a better book family. You’re my crew, and I love you.
My SS ladies, thank you for being willing to go through the fine details with me. You’re amazing.
Tijan, your kindness is a gift. Thank you for being a wonderful friend.
Sarah, Jenn, Hilary, Shan, Catherine, and my entire team at Social Butterfly, you’re fabulous, and I couldn’t do it without you.
Sarah and Gel, your incredible talent never ceases to amaze me. Thank you for sharing it with me. Lindsey and Christine, thank you for helping me make this a better story with your insight.
To my ARC crew, thank you for always being enthusiastic about my words. Julia and Amanda, your eagle eyes are always appreciated.
Beavers, you’re my soft place to land, and you’re always excited for what’s next. I’m lucky to have you in my corner for all these years.
Deb, Tijan, Kelly, Erika, Marty, Karen, Shalu, Melanie, Marnie, Julie, Krystin, Laurie, and Angela, your friendship, guidance, support, and insight keep me grounded. Thank you for being such wonderful and inspiring women in my life.
Readers, bloggers, and bookstagrammers, your dedication and your love of books, romance, and happily ever afters are inspirations.