Page 78 of Fixer for the Billionaire

Alton shakes his head with a smile. "No, just an added bonus for you. The next part of your initiation begins much later."

"Let's just say it involves a lot of alcohol and some questionable dance moves," Derek smirks.

"And maybe a few embarrassing photos that will definitely surface at your wedding reception," Killian adds with a grin.

"We'll give you two some privacy to catch up," Alton says, gesturing for the others to leave.

I groan but laugh along with them. With a few raised eyebrows, they all file out of the room, leaving me alone with my thoughts and Carmina.

As Carmina makes her way over to me, her eyes locked on mine, I can't help but feel like everything in my life has led up to this moment.

The good and the bad, the heartbreaks and triumphs—they all brought me here, to this beautiful woman in front of me.

Still seated, I glance up at her, taking in her lovely features. She looks just as nervous and excited as I feel.

"So," she says, playing with a loose strand of hair. "I guess you had a talk with the guys."

"More like they gave me a crash course on the secret society I apparently just joined," I reply with a small smile. "The society of being a jackass in love."

"Mmm." She walks in closer. "Were you a jackass before or after you fell in love?"

I lean back, pretending to think. "Definitely before. Falling in love just made me a bigger one."

She gives a regretful smile, her eyes sparkling. "Well, I guess that makes two of us then."

"Two jackasses in love," I say, holding out my hand for her to take. She takes it with a laugh, and I pull her onto my lap. She straddles me, her arms wrapping around my neck, and we sit there in comfortable silence for a few moments, just enjoying being close to each other.

"I can't believe you're really here," she says softly, tracing patterns on my hand. "I almost thought we would never get to this place again, the place where we can be together like this.”

"Me neither." I tighten my hold on her. "We made it here, Carmina. Against all odds. And I don't want to waste another second."

She nods, and for a moment, we both just bask in the wonder of it all. Two broken people who somehow found their way back to each other.

Tears unshed, Carmina looks up at me, brown eyes glistening. "I'm sorry for how things ended between us, Quentin. I never should have pushed you away like that."

"You had your reasons, and I had mine. But I forgive you. And I hope you can forgive me too, for all the stupid mistakes I made."

"Of course I do. I always have." She swallows. "I love you, Quentin. I've been in love with you for so long, even when I was trying to deny it. And now...now I don't want to hide it anymore."

I cup her face in my hands and press my forehead against hers. "I love you too, Carmina. More than anything."

And then our lips meet in a tender kiss, sealing the promises our hearts have already made to each other without our permission. Promises to never let go, to always fight for each other, and to cherish this second chance we've been given.

We sit in silence once again, but this time it's filled with a sense of peace and understanding. We both know that we can't change the past, but we can make a better future together.

I let out a sigh of relief, feeling more at ease than I have in days. Years, really. All because of her.

I sigh. “So, you knew about this intervention all along?"

She nods, a mischievous glint in her eye. "Who do you think planned it? Or the one before it?"

"You little sneak," I say with a grin, pulling her closer to me.

"Hey now, don't be mad. It was all for your own good."

"I know, and I'm grateful." I lean in to kiss her softly, feeling all the love and happiness radiating from within me. As we pull away, my mouth pulls into a smirk. "So, what now?"

"Well, I hear there's a secret handshake for members of the society of jackasses in love. Want to learn it with me?"

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