Page 62 of Executive Benefits

“That would require getting out of bed,” she whined as I took my hand away from her breast.

“Yup, it would. But we do have all the time in the world, since you’re going to give me another shot.” I plopped down next to her and laid my head on her chest as her arm wrapped around my shoulders.

“Is that your way of asking me to give us a chance again?” I tipped my head up, placing my chin on her chest so I could look at her.

“Yes. Totally,” I said. “I didn’t forget about that.” I grinned. I had because my mind was still charged up with dopamine. Plus, she told me she loved me last night, so I kind of assumed instead of asking.

“Uh-huh.” She laughed.

“Fine, you caught me.” I made my way up her body and placed my forehead to hers. “Would you consider giving us a chance?”

She rolled her eyes like she was thinking about it. “Mmm, yes. I guess so. Although we are still naked and you’re offering to feed me, it is as good of a time as any.” She sighed.

“You’re hilarious,” I said and fell back into the cuddle.

“I’m glad you think so. It’s smart of you to know.”

“I think the smart thing was realizing how much I wanted you in my life and making sure that I don’t fuck it up again.”

“That’s sweet of you to say.” She combed her fingers through my hair.

“Thanks. I like hearing that too.” I chewed on the inside of my cheek because I didn’t want to scare her away, but I also didn’t want to wait for too long to talk about it. I was trying to learn from my mistakes. “Do you think, if this works out between us, that you’d want a family? Children?” I scrunched my eyes and waited for the answer because I didn’t ask Kendra until it was too late, and it might be too early for Julia and me to think about kids, but it was something I needed to talk about.

“Actually...” She rolled to her side, looking me straight on. “I do want kids and a big family. My mom died when I was too young and my father kind of shut down. I want the opportunity to give my kids the life I didn’t have.”

Happiness splayed through my veins, and I kissed her with everything that I was feeling. “Good,” I said when I pulled away. “Not that I want to start right now…” I did, but again, I didn’t want to scare her off.

“It’s okay.” She chuckled. “We have time.”

30

EPILOGUE: JULIA

“Ican’t believe it’s been a year,” Mia said, handing me another pink balloon. I looked around Gray’s at the staff our company had acquired in the last year. We were still a small, but a mighty five, and I couldn’t have ever guessed our business would have grown so much.

Especially because I moved away from the city and found a home in Heart’s Creek. But the amazing thing about our company was that we could pick up clients everywhere. We could travel to other cities for openings and still make our way back to the small town we loved.

If I'd have stayed in Buffalo, I might not have thought bigger than what I was doing because I was surrounded by city life. I was truly getting a chance to spread my wings and I loved it.

I couldn’t imagine it any other way.

“Yeah, me either, but I’m more than happy with how things turned out,” I said as Nick walked through the entryway from the kitchen. My smile grew as his eyes found mine, and I hung up another balloon.

“My God, your face looks dopey,” Mia said, and I climbed down the ladder.

“Please, it isn’t anything compared to how you look when David comes around.” They just started dating, and Mia assured me that he wasn’t anything but sweet last year when he took her home. Even if she wanted him not to be. I always rolled my eyes when I said it, but I was grateful she’d found someone to be herself around.

Mia pointed her finger under my nose. “You cannot see your face. You have no idea how it compares to mine.”

I laughed. “Doesn’t that mean the same thing for you?”

“No, I always make sure I can see myself somehow.”

“That is a wild and weird statement to make.” I tugged on her finger and walked over to Nick, leaving her with the ladder and balloons.

The smile on his face probably did rival mine because he did look dopey. As I thought about what Mia said, my smile grew.

“What do you think?” I said, waving my hand around the space. “Valentine’s and a one-year anniversary all in one.”

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