The Best of Us (Love in Isolation 2)

“Fuck,” I moan, and it only encourages her to keep going. Kendall smiles and topples onto my chest as she tries to catch her breath while wearing a satisfied smile. I wrap my arms around her and hold her.

“You’re mine,” she says with a sigh. “I don’t like to share.”

I laugh. “Don’t worry, Angel. I don’t either.”

“Oh, since I haven’t talked to you in a little while, I’ve got some good news,” she tells me, and I can see her excitement bubbling.

“I found a place for my business and signed the lease yesterday! I’ll be able to get started sometime soon.”

I pull her into my arms. “I’m so fucking proud of you! What did you call it?”

A small grin falls on her lips, and she sucks in a deep breath. “I don’t know yet,” she admits.

“Aw. I’m sure you’ll come up with something. Just have to remember what the mission of your business is,” I offer.

Kendall tilts her head. “Hmm.”

“You’re doing it for the love of people and to help those who need it most, Angel. What about…”

“All for Love.” Her eyes go wide. “I can already imagine the logo.”

I chuckle. “It’s perfect and true. You’re doing it all for love.”

Eventually, we get up and go to the kitchen for some water. After I grab two bottles, we sit on the couch and stare out the large windows. Kendall leans against me, and I pull her into my arms.

“So when do you want to tell Cami the good news?” she asks, and I watch the blue-colored flames dance and flicker.

“I’m pretty sure she knows,” I say, smirking and turning to her.

She tilts her head, confused. “How?”

“Because I told her I wasn’t leaving that party until I found you and told you how I felt. I’m sure when the countdown happened, and we were nowhere to be found, she got the memo,” I explain. “Cami’s been waiting for this to happen for over a decade, and she promised me you’d be there tonight.”

Kendall grabs her phone, unlocks it, then lets out a hearty laugh. She shows me texts from my sister, and I snort when I read them.

Cami: You better be banging my brother’s brains out. Oh, and HAPPY NEW YEAR!Cami: Bring in the new year the right way—in a relationship with Ryan.Cami: Last text, but I expect you two to get married this year. THANK YOU!I look back at Kendall who’s grinning.

“Yeah, she knows,” I say.

“Yeah, but I’ll confirm in the morning,” she admits.

“She might not be too far off,” I offer.

“About what?” She furrows her brows.

“Marriage,” I say.

Kendall sucks in a deep breath. “A Distant Diva would never say that.”

I chuckle and pull her into my arms. “I just don’t think it’s out of the realm of possibilities, Kendall. When you know you’ve found the one, you don’t let them get away.”

She grins and smacks her lips against mine. “You just might be right. It’ll be the best year I’ve ever had.”

“Same.”

Kendall stands and grabs my hand, then leads me back to the bedroom.

“Time for round three,” she says, wearing a smirk as she looks over her shoulders.

“I’m so glad I have off tomorrow.” I laugh and follow her. At this rate, we’ll be making love until the sun comes up, but I’m not complaining.Chapter Twenty-SevenKendallONE YEAR LATERIt’s officially been a year since Ryan and I were snowed in at the cabin. I honestly can’t believe so much time has passed, but then again, it also feels like it happened just yesterday. When I think back to the past year, a smile forms on my lips.

After Ryan admitted his true feelings to me on New Year’s Eve, we officially became a couple. It was one of the best decisions I’ve ever made, and I didn’t think it was possible to ever love a man as much as I love him. Two months later, he asked me to move in, and I agreed because I wanted to spend every waking second with him. We got a bigger place, but in the same building because it’s close to his job, plus the view is to die for. While Ryan doesn’t work nearly as much, I still miss him when he’s gone.

Over the summer, he took two weeks off, and we went to New Zealand. We hiked the mountains and visited every place on his bucket list. It was an absolute dream vacation and to spend it with Ryan made it a thousand times better.

However, before we left, Cami and Eli announced they were pregnant. Of course, I couldn’t have been happier for them and am so excited they’re expecting a baby girl next March.

After I signed the lease of my new office, I went all in with my company, and it’s booming. It’s allowed me to donate to the charities I adore and give more to the local food banks and community in an even bigger way.