Saylor

“Don’t apologize. You’re totally fine, I promise. And you know what?”

“What?” I ask.

“We deserve this.”

“Ya think? Personally, I’m kinda, sorta waiting for the other shoe to drop.”

“It won’t.” She squeezes me a little tighter, then pulls away. “We deserve our happily ever afters, Saylor. And now that we have them, we need to appreciate them and not take them for granted. Deal?”

I nod. “Deal.”

“Good. Now, I’m going to go shower because apparently, I smell like sex.”

A light laugh slips out of me. “But was it good sex?”

That familiar blush spreads across her cheeks. “Maaaaybe.”

“Then, it’s worth the shower,” I quip. “Want me to wait for you?”

“Nah, I’ll drive separately. No worries. See you at school!”

“See ya,” I call back as she retreats to the bathroom. With a big, dopey smile, I lift the mug of my morning coffee to my lips and breathe deep. For the first time ever, everything feels like it’s falling into place, and instead of dreading it, I decide to welcome it with both arms.

Because Skye’s right. We deserve our happily ever afters.

Right?

A strong set of arms wraps around my waist and pulls me into a hard chest as soon as I climb out of my car in the school parking lot.

With a gasp, I glance over my shoulder then melt. “Why, hello, stranger.”

“Good morning, Beautiful,” Owen greets me. The warmth from his lips brands my cheek before he puts a bit more space between us. And even though I miss it instantly, it’s probably for the best. We’re in the parking lot of the elementary school, for Pete’s sake. Still, that freshly shaven jaw is begging to be licked, and the scent of his aftershave wafts through the air. Unable to help myself, I run my fingers along his chiseled cheek.

“You look handsome today,” I mention before registering an adorable little kid beside him. As I drop my arm back down to my side, my smile widens. “And so do you, Grady. Hi. How are ya, bud?”

With a quick wave, he returns, “Hi, Miss Swenson.”

“We’re not in the school quite yet.” I wink. “You can still call me Saylor.”

He grins back at me. “Deal.”

“Hey, Grady, why don’t you go into class?” Owen interrupts. “I want to ask Saylor a quick question before the bell rings.”

“Okay.”

He takes a couple of steps toward the school’s entrance before Owen calls him back and squats down. “Wait. Where’s my hug?”

“Oops.” Grady’s tiny arms wrap around Owen’s neck in the sweetest bear hug I’ve ever witnessed.

“Be good,” Owen murmurs.

“I will.”

“Love you.”

“Love you, too, Dad.”

After releasing him, Owen adds, “I’ll pick you up in your classroom, okay?”