Page 129 of Not Safe For Work

“Good thing we still have time. We need to celebrate.”

“I thought we already celebrated…twice.”

“Not this.”

“Not what?”

I lay her down on the bed, hovering over her. “Our future. And for no longer being co-workers.”

“I thought you liked working together.” She pouts.

“I do. I did. I never would have gotten to know you so well if I didn’t sit across from you all that time.” I kiss her nose. “But now I can text you whatever I want. I’ll never have to see that annoying ‘NSFW!’ ever again.”

EPILOGUE

GAVIN

My eyes squint,looking down the terminal at SFO. Bright red hair floats around Liv’s head as she runs toward me, heels clicking loudly on the linoleum.

I take a few long strides to meet her, immediately catching her lips with mine.

“I made it.” She breathes against me. After three different canceled flights from LAX, it feels like a miracle she’s here. “I still can’t believe there arehurricanesin southern California. What is the world coming to?”

I grab her bags and direct her to our gate to sit down. By a stroke of luck, this flight was delayed too. I can’t even imagine how tired Liv is right now, after hosting a two-day customer event in Malibu and then another two days trying to get a flight out.

“Did you have fun with Lucy?” I ask.

“Yes! I can’t even complain about the flight situation. Not only did I have a friend to stay with but she lives in an actual mansion. The weather was horrendous, but we spent the whole time in their basement. It felt like I was at a private concert.”

“That sounds fun. I’m just glad you’re here now.”

She kisses me, a little slower this time. “Me, too. I missed you.” Another kiss. “Like…a lot. You should come with me next time.”

“Done.”

An announcement overhead grabs our attention.Flight 317 to Buenos Aires now departs from Gate G3. Guess we have to move.

Grabbing all the bags again, we walk around the terminal to our new gate. One more hour until boarding.

“I can’t believe it’s finally happening,” Liv squeals. We’ve been planning this trip ever since the day we moved in together, but it’s taken me a year to work out all the details.

“Me too. It’s weird to finally be going back after all this time. I just wish you could have met my mom.” Because that’s part of what this trip is for me, a chance to reconnect with my mother, my roots. I wish Gabby was coming but her schedule wouldn’t allow it.

“I’m going to meet her,” Liv whispers from the seat next to me. “Through everything we do. She’ll be with us.”

Fuck, I love this girl. Every time I think I’ve hit the peak, that this relationship is the best it’s ever been, she surprises me and I love her even more.

How the hell am I supposed to wait a week to put this ring on her finger? The plan is to wait until we visit the vineyards in Mendoza, but I swear it’s burning a hole in my pocket right now.

Liv’s stomach rumbles between us. “Shit. I don’t think I’ve eaten in…unclear. I’m gonna go grab some snacks. You want anything?”

I shake my head, tell her to go on and I’ll stay back to watch the bags. It feels like I need a moment to collect myself.

It’s not that I’m nervous. Liv and I are great together, and we’ve talked about the future enough for me to be optimistic about her answer. The commitment doesn’t worry me either.I’ve never been more sure of anything in my life. I want to spend forever with her.

But my nerves still arise. This has to beperfect. I only get one shot at the proposal, one chance to make it the perfect moment for her, for us. Am I overdoing it? Are the fireworks too much? What if she hates wine from Argentina and the night is ruined? Shit, what if shedoesn’tsay yes?

My fingers start dialing before my brain catches up.

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