Page 120 of Body Shot

“Yet?”

I kiss her forehead. “You’re in my life now. They’re going to have to know about you. Any skeletons in your closet you haven’t told me about? Because chances are good they’ll do a background check on you.”

She chokes on a laugh. “I have nothing to hide. But if they say one fucking word against you, I will lay into them like you’ve never seen.”

Her fierce tone fills my chest with soft warmth. “I think I made it clear I don’t care what they want. I want you and that’s all that matters.”

She gives a sigh of contentment. “I never would have thought this would happen. We didn’t seem to be a very likely couple.”

“You thought I was some playboy bartender.”

“Yes.”

“Well, I am.”

She tries and fails to stop her smile. “And cocky too.”

“You love that about me.”

“I do.”

I grin, but my then my smile slips. “Actually, that’s what I wanted people to think about me. Like you hid behind your work—I hid behind having fun.”

“Well, youarefun-loving and spontaneous, and I’m all serious and nerdy and rigid. But yeah . . . we both kept ourselves apart from any real relationships. We were both afraid to show our real selves.”

“But we also both live life with a purpose that’s bigger than ourselves.”

She nods, her eyes wet and shiny.

“We both overcame obstacles. I’m sure there’ll be more. But I have that same feeling I have with Marco and Cade—together, we can conquer anything. I know life’s not just fun and games. Despite what you first thought about me.”

“I know.” Her smile is luminous. “And I love that about you, too. And I love how you showed me we can have fun even when we’re trying to do some good.”

“What I want the most? To make you happy.”

“Oh.” Her bottom lip quivers. “I want that too, for you. So much Beck. I hope I can do that.”

“I know you can. Just be with me.” I kiss her nose. “I’m not really sure how to do a relationship. I’ll probably fuck this up again. Just tell me, Hayden. If I close off. If I say something idiotic. Just tell me.”

Her smile makes my heart clench. “Same goes,” she whispers. “Don’t let me hide from life behind my work. Make me live it.”

“I will.”

EPILOGUE

Hayden

Three months later

“I need to have a word with that man.” Carrie and I stride toward Conquistadors, me outpacing my friend in my haste to get to the bar.

“Calm down,” Carrie urges me. “Maybe you should stop and think about exactly how to handle this. You know what happened last time.”

I pause. I eye my friend. “Okay, yeah. Maybe you’re right.”

“I know you’re surprised by this, but remember what he said before? He was only trying to help.”

I suck in a big breath. “Right. Right.”

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