Hard Limit (St. Louis Mavericks 2)
“Ooooh…” Hadley’s voice turned playful. “Does that mean there’s a little Lars or Sheridan to look forward to?”
I laughed, looking over at Lars again. “We haven’t gotten that far. We’d like kids someday, but we haven’t discussed timing or anything. First, we’re going to find a house and I’m going to start my new business. We’ll see about everything else later.”
We talked about a few less serious topics and then, finally, it was over.
“You were very good,” Lars said, coming over to me and leaning down to lightly kiss me.
“Thanks. I was nervous.”
“You did great,” Hadley said. “And I’ll let you listen to the finished product before I upload it.”
“Thank you. This means so much to me.” I reached out and hugged her.
“Anytime.”
“I wish we could have talked about all the shit Hugh did,” I said ruefully, “but it’s honestly better that we didn’t. I wanted to explain that damn video, so people would understand how awful it was for me, and now it’s done. I don’t ever intend to talk about it again. I’ve hired a crisis management publicist to help bury the whole thing, and for the first time in my life, I don’t wake up in the morning afraid of what he’s going to do to me next.”
“And you never will.” Lars wrapped his arms around me and kissed the side of my face. “Not as long as I’m breathing.”
I smiled up at him. “Have I told you how much I love you lately?”
He smiled back. “Yes. Often. But you can tell me again. Is nice to hear the words.”
“You guys want to open a bottle of wine or run upstairs real quick first?” Wes asked, arching a brow in our direction.
“We can do this?” Lars asked, his face a mask of nothingness. “Go upstairs?”
Everyone was silent for a beat and then Wes laughed. “You almost got me, buddy.”
Lars just smirked.
I slid my fingers through his. “Did I tell you I heard from Nellie today?”
He frowned. “Your old assistant?”
“Yes. She’s been giving me all the gossip and she quit today.”
“Yes? What happened?”
“Apparently, Vanessa and Hugh melted down during a staff meeting and the rest of the executive staff walked out. Lenny and Marnie had already quit, and everyone else did it today. So she has literally no one to help her run the company. And the best part is, even if she hires people, there’s no one there to train anyone.”
“This is good news.” He squeezed my hand. “The new company will be amazing. Even better than Sheri Lee.”
“I had a thought for a name. Hey, Hadley? Wes? I was thinking of naming my new company Annie’s Closet.”
“Oh, I love that,” Hadley said. “I think she will too.”
“It is very sweet,” Lars agreed.
“Just make sure she’s on board,” Wes said. “You know how private Sawyer can be.”
“Don’t worry. I will.”
We sat in their family room in front of the fireplace and Wes poured us all a glass of wine.
“I can’t believe Christmas is in three days,” Hadley said, looking over at the tree. “You think we overdid it on gifts for the kids?”
“No?” He grimaced as he said it.
They laughed.
“To first Christmases,” he said, picking up his glass as he looked at his wife. “Our first Christmas as husband and wife.”
“And as parents,” she agreed, holding up her glass.
“Our first Christmas together,” I said to Lars, lifting my own.
“The first of many,” he said, nodding.
“Cheers.” We clinked our glasses together.
Epilogue
Lars
* * *
Mavericks Group Text
* * *
Boone: Hey, I know it’s Valentine’s Day, but it’s opening day for my buddy Cal’s new bar. He was supposed to open in two weeks, but renovations got finished early. He’s a good dude who’s putting his life savings into this place. I’d appreciate it if any of you could stop by. It’s called Calypso and it’s on Cherokee St.
Drew: Sounds like fun. Nina and I will come by after dinner.
Konstantin: I’ll be there.
Wes: Hadley and I are staying at a hotel tonight, but if we’re up for a break from our sexathon, we’ll drop by.
Lars: Sheridan and I will come, but it may be late.
Nash: Yeah, I’m in, and I’ll tell you guys tonight about the news I got this morning. It’s fucking epic.
* * *
“Mr. Lars, put salad on table,” Rosalina said in a scolding tone.
“I do not want it on the table.”
She shook her head and opened the lid on the marinara sauce she’d made from scratch. “Salad eat first, Mr. Lars.”
“I know, but that doesn’t mean it has to go on the table. I only want the champagne on the table.”
“You make apartment pretty. I make apartment clean, and I cook food.” She glared in my direction. “Next time, you do all yourself.”
Tonight was a special occasion—the first Valentine’s Day for Sheridan and me. Rosalina had been on board with helping me make a special dinner for her, but she wasn’t one to do anything without a little bickering. I was just glad to have something to keep my mind off of how nervous I was. I wanted everything to be perfect tonight.