Page 94 of The Fate Factor

“Mmm. Two starving artists.”

He lifts his head and grins, eyes brighter than I expected for how close to sleep he just was. “I’ve been eating well lately, haven’t I?”

I gasp playfully. “Fresh. And in my grandmother’s house.”

“It’s your house, baby.”

I smile at the ceiling. My house.

“I’m getting an award,” Jamie says later as we drive out to the ice rink. It’s a full moon, and all of the hard surfaces downtown shimmer with light hitting frost. Like magic.

I turn in my seat to see his quiet little smile. “What award?”

“For my fall ale. Best in Industry.”

“Jamie! That’s amazing.”

He touches the brim of his hat, cheeks coloring. “Thanks.”

“Will there be a ceremony?”

“I think so. A dinner reception.”

I nod, mentally picking out an outfit and planning some sort of private celebration for afterward. I’m so grateful for this win for him. There’s been a noticeable anxiety coiling in his muscles the closer we get to the end of the year. Except for the small detail of not being able to get a hold of my mother again to tell her the news about the condo, everything seems to be falling into place for me, but Jamie still has a decision to make before we know what his career future looks like, and the magic hasn’t been cooperating. I don’t know what to make of its sudden disappearance.

When he pulls into the parking lot at the ice arena, I stop him before he can open the door, climbing over the console to sitin his lap and take his face in my hands. “You’re brilliant and inspired and loyal. You deserve it all.”

He looks at me with open affection, drawing me closer by my hips. “I love you, Noe. Tell me you love me back and I’ll already have it all.”

I pull in a surprised breath, and he swallows.

“I’ve wanted to say that to you for a while.” His hand on my chin trembles so slightly that I’d have missed it if I wasn’t so in tune with his touch. He’s nervous, and wow—for once, I’m not.

I feel like a child tucked safely in my bed, warm and ready to dream. I’ve phrased it a hundred safer ways over the last few weeks. I adore him. I admire him. I miss him. Iwanthim. But no. That’s not even close.

“I love you back,” I say.

Jamie’s eyes have always been his softest feature but right now they’re nearly liquid. Pools of honey staring back at me with overt longing. He pulls me flush against him by the lapels of my winter coat, and kisses me deeply.

After the game, most of Jamie’s hockey team comes back to Fortune, filling in the row of booths by the back window. Em tips her head to the ceiling, looking like she’s praying for patience.

“Do you have a reservation for a party this size, sir?” She glares at Jamie when we break off from the rest of the group and meet her at the bar.

Jamie flashes his dimples. “No, but if you pour everyone a round, I’ll get you in on the pizza I’m ordering.”

“Deal.”

“I’ll order it,” I tell him, pressing my palm to his cheek and catching the edge of that smile with my thumb. It’s easier for me to work out how much to feed all of these men, plus me and Em.And if he’s drinking, he didn’t take his meds. He’s likely to forget he said this, leaving us all starved.

“Use my app.” He hands me his phone and kisses my jaw. “Thank you,” he whispers.

“I’ll be over in a minute.” I linger at the bar while I pull up the menu to his saved pizza place.

Em pours my beer before she gets started on the guys’ order. “Are you going for sainthood hanging with these idiots all night?”

“Fun fact: I was canonized as a child.” I scan the bar. “Where’s Cara tonight?”

“She’s catering a dinner for the mayor.”

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