Page 98 of Say Yes to the Hot Mess

“Nonsense,” he says, settling comfortably next to me. Then he leans over, cups my face, and kisses me softly. “I just heard her start talking and thought the two of you might benefit from a chance to connect.”

“Mmm?” I say. It’s not eloquent, but it’s pretty much all I’m capable of when I’m being kissed. “And is it important to you that I connect with your family?” I don’t give him a chance to answer, though, leaning up to kiss him again. He doesn’t seem to mind, his hand slipping around the back of my neck as he scoots closer to me.

“I plan on keeping you around for a very long time,” he says between kisses, “so, yes.”

I smile against his lips. “If you insist.” Finally leaning back, I say, “Well, actually, we did have a nice chat. I think…” I pause, reflecting on my conversation with Nancy. “I think she might think I’m good for you.”

“Youaregood for me.”

And you know what? I think he’s right. I think I am good for him. I think I help him take himself less seriously, which is something he needs.

“You’re good for me, too.”

“Mmm,” he hums, sounding content. Then, without saying anything else, he slips one arm around me and pulls me to his side. I rest my head on his shoulder, feeling his chin settle on the top of my head.

We watch in silence as Archer slaps at the floor, kicking his legs in and out like a little frog. He’s perfectly content again. And when he looks over at Dex and me and smiles his toothless, gummy smile, warmth bubbles up inside of me.

And that small, ever-present ache that simmers deep within my soul—the ache of loneliness—begins to dissipate as I snuggle further into Dex’s embrace, my eyes still on Archer. In its place is a peace so profound that I could cry.

I feel, finally, like I’m home.

Epilogue

Dex

Seven Months Later

Maya’s cousinis getting married in a few days, and Maya is in full-on romantic mode because of it.

It’s not a horrible burden to bear, as her boyfriend.

I sit on my bed, missing her even though I spent most of the day with her. Then I pull up the Sunset Horizons app. We don’t message each other here as much these days, simply because it’s easier to text or call, but an idea struck me last night that I want to try.

Me:I have a question for my beautiful Filipino goddess.

Maya chose the name Hanan, as it turns out, because in some sort of Filipino legend Hanan was the sister of Mayari, both of them goddesses. Mayari is the lunar deity, while Hanan is the deity of the morning, and apparently that’s where Maya’s name came from.

Hanan:Your beautiful Filipino goddess has an answer. Shoot.

Me:There's a girl I’ve been seeing that I’m pretty crazy about.

Hanan:Hmm. Tell me more about this girl. Is she funny? Kind? Wildly intelligent, perhaps?

I grin, settling back onto the pillows propped against my headboard.

Me:All that and more.

Hanan:Sounds like you have good taste.

Me:The best. So good, in fact, that I’ve been thinking…

I take a deep breath, then go on.

Me:I think I might like to take our relationship to the next step.

Me:So I need your advice. Should I do it?

Is it the cowards’ way of asking? Yes. But also, I’m pretty sure she’s more than okay with the direction we’re heading. I wouldn’t bring it up like this otherwise.

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