Page 28 of Chance Encounter

“Hey,” I release his finger and then grab onto his hand. “I’ve never let myself be open to a relationship either, but I think it’s time. While I might not be one for public displays of affection, I don’t mind if eventually, people know we’re together.”

He flashes me a wide grin. “I have to say you’re surprising me.”

“What can I say? You’ve grown on me.” Even I’m shocked, but I’m not going to fight what I feel. I’m tired of being alone, with my only interaction being my drunk brother. Chance is surprisingly good company. He’s even got me watching Schitt’s Creek with him, and he’s started reading at night when he stays over.

A tall form moves to stand beside our table and speaks with a deep, gravelly voice. “Hey, guys.”

We both turn to look and find Dash standing there. “Hey,” we say in unison.

“Chance, Maddox, this is Sloane.” We both wave as he continues. “I was just telling her how crazy it is to see you two here together when you were like archenemies in high school.”

“Yeah, it’s amazing what can happen given the circumstances and time,” I laugh. “In fact,” I look at Chance and smile. “He’s my boyfriend.”

“Cool,” Sloane says with a sweet smile on her face. Her blonde hair shimmers in the sunlight. “Maybe we can all go on a double date sometime.”

“Yeah,” Chance coughs out. “Sounds like a plan.”

“Good. We were just headed out, but we’ll see you soon. You’ve got my number, right, Chance?”

“Yeah, I’ll text you, and we can set something up.”

We wave, and once Dash and Sloane are out of sight, Chance leans forward. “You’re just full of surprises today.”

“You haven’t seen anything yet.”

EPILOGUE

CHANCE

Christmas the Next Year

I feelthe bed shift as Maddox turns over. He lets out a long yawn before he wraps an arm around my waist. “This bed is heaven. I’m going to have to thank Dash and Sloane for giving us a room at their lodge for Christmas.”

“Hmm. It is nice. We should find out where they got it and get one.” My words have their desired effect. Maddox leans up on his elbow and looks down at me with his brows knitted together.

“What? Why?” He opens and closes his mouth and then snaps it shut.

“You know, we’ve been shuffling back and forth between your place and mine for the last year, and I thought maybe it was time for us to take our relationship to the next level and move in together.”

When he doesn’t say anything and continues to stare down at me, I lean up and press my mouth to his until he slowly becomes putty above me. His lush lips start to move against mine, and when I know I’ve brought Mad back to life, I pull away.

“Will you move in with me?”

“That’s a big step,” he mumbles against my mouth.

Maybe I didn’t pull him out as far as I thought I did. “Yes, it is, but it’s something I think we’re ready for, don’t you?”

“I just… I’ve been wanting to say or do what I thought was the next step, and you blew it out of the water.”

A next step that isn’t moving in. What the hell is he talking about? “What didyouwant to say or do?”

Mad blows out a puff of air. “I don’t know why I’ve been waiting. Well, actually, I do. I hesitated because I didn’t want to be the only one feeling this way.”

Running my hand down his side, I grip his hip. “Feeling what way? Whatever it is, you can tell me.”

“This isn’t just fucking to you, is it?” He blurts out and then quickly clamps his mouth shut.

I almost laugh until I realize that he’s serious, then just as quickly, rage blooms inside of me. How could Maddox think that? I know we had a rocky start, and while we disagree still about quite a few things, I thought I showed him that he’s more than a fuck buddy. Taking a deep breath, I don’t let it out until I rein in my emotions, which takes so long, I’m probably blue in the face. “If it were only that, I would have moved on eleven months ago. So, no,” I shake my head, my grip on his hip tightening. “This is so much more than fucking. It’s… everything.”

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