His Temporary Assistant

I stared at the middle of his chest as everything blurred. “She sounds so scared. That’s not like her.”

“Whatever it is, we’ll help her. I promise.” He gathered me close.

I looped my arms around his waist, one hand still clutching my phone. I pressed my cheek to his chest. “No one has ever stood up for me before. And you’ve done it quite a few times now.”

“And I’ll keep doing it. One of these days, you’ll trust that I always will.”

I held onto him tighter. “I do believe you. I’m sorry it takes me longer to trust.”

He pressed a kiss to the top of my head. “I know. Doesn’t make me love you any less.”

I shifted away enough to go up on my toes and kissed him gently.

He cupped my face and wiped away my tears with his thumbs. “Now let’s go get our girl. I know just the room to put her in.”

“One that’s not too close to ours, right? I mean yours.”

He grinned down at me. “No, opposite end of the house.”

“Good.” I twisted my fingers in his belt loops. “Maybe we could stop at my place first. I’ll get some stuff.”

He grabbed my hand and squeezed hard. “You got it.”

I glanced over at our massacred breakfast. “And maybe we can pick up the real Moons Over My Hammy?”

His lips quirked. “You got it, Miss Moon.”

Epilogue

For Real This Time

It was just past the lunchtime rush, and foot traffic was at its lightest on Kensington Square. Delivery trucks chugged their way down the side streets, and busy moms were doing last-minute errands before school let out.

I loved this area. Fall was in full swing, changing the park from lush green to leaves tipped in red and gold. Japanese maples with their glossy purple leaves stood sentry along the sidewalk to prove the town could have beauty and commerce side by side. The ever-changing storefronts dotted with crazy colors were jammed next to traditional mainstays like Connor’s Drugstore with its sturdy air of responsibility and Jimmy’s Pizza with its sharp, spicy sauce scenting the air.

Kensington Square was wild and messy, comforting and stable, city and town all at once. The perfect community. Now there was a new kid on the block, and I was heading his way.

The wind whipped my hair around. My boots clicked on the sidewalk, and a whiff of burning leaves mixed with the crisp cold air. A few people bustled around me, huddled into sweaters and hoodies as they hurried into shops. The sunny day had just enough bite to remind everyone of the brutal winter ahead. I preferred to embrace autumn’s changeable whims.

I hugged my future against my chest, along with a little something for my resident sweet tooth.

Ahead, a small black and red sign stuck out from the freshly whitewashed brick building. We’d fought over the spray gun last weekend while painting the building he’d bought.

Bought, for goddess’s sake.

Normal people rented space in Kensington Square, but not my guy. Nope. He’d bought the building and jumped headlong into renovating it. I hadn’t even known he knew how to use a hammer.

Then again, was there really anything PMS couldn’t do?

He got me to date him, didn’t he?

Date. Ha.

There was no dating that man. I’d been assimilated. I should hate it. In fact, I should be running the other way. Instead, here I was, in front of that little red sign that read: Preston M. Shaw, Esq. Family Law. est. 2021.

He’d actually done it.

He had told me he was leaving his family’s law firm, but I hadn’t really believed he would actually take the leap. Even more, he’d gone after what made him happy. He’d made me believe in stepping out of my own box. One I hadn’t even known I was trapped in.