Page 109 of Space Oddities

In three bounds, Ian reaches the step below me, catching my eyes and grinning wide. “You bet your sweet Georgia ass I will.” Sliding his hands under my blanket cape, he pulls me to him.

I lift my lips to his.

His morning beard is rough, our breaths are not the sweetest, and we have a hostile audience, and still, it’s the perfect kiss. Better than anything I’ve ever written.

It’s full of acceptance and hope and love. So much love.

It’s everything.

The front door slams, causing us to jerk apart.

I guess the senator doesn’t share my feelings on the kiss. I couldn’t care less.

Lifting up on my tiptoes, I brush my lips against Ian’s once more. “I love you.”

“I love you too.” He dips his fingertips under the back waistband of my boxers, unrolling them until they slip off my hips to the floor. “And you’re not leaving?” There’s a flash of uncertainty in his eyes as he palms my rear end.

“No.” I kiss him again. “I’m not leaving.”

He nods, though the uncertainty doesn’t quite leave.

“You don’t believe me?”

He smiles his Captain America smile at me and lifts me in his arms. “Maybe you should convince me.”

I laugh, dropping the blanket, wrapping my arms and legs around him. “Okay, sugar.” I nip and kiss his neck. “I can do that.”

And I do.

Twenty-Eight

Happily Ever After

Trish

“I,Jackie Darling Lee, take you, Flynn West, to be my lawfully wedded husband.” Though her voice is steady, Jackie’s hands shake slightly, clasped in Flynn’s as they stand under an arbor of greenery, dotted with coral and white roses.

Chief Astronaut Luke Bisbee presides over the ceremony. He got ordained just for the occasion. His girlfriend, NASA PR guru Emily Durham, looks on proudly from the white chairslined up before the couple.

Jules preens like a proud momma, every once in a while looking away from the couple to take in the general splendor that she oversaw as maid of honor. Though she acted more like a general at war while using the wedding planner as her second in command.

Holt is stoic as ever, the most solemn face in the crowd. Though his expression was a darn sight more entertaining earlier when he first caught a look at Jules in her dress.

Rose’s eyes are glued to Jackie and Flynn’s clasped hands. Her eyes look misty, her mouth formed in a small smile.

I frown, tilting my head to try and get a better look at Rose from my stance behind her. Her smile looks oddly sad. But as I study her, the small smile is replaced by the wide, shit-eating grin she’s known for.

Hmm.

“I do.” Flynn’s declaration rings out over the small gathering of friends and family. Or rather, family made up of friends. Because that is exactly what we’re surrounded by. Co-workers, siblings, waitresses—all friends linked together by interests, friendship, and love.

Just a few feet away, in the front row, Ian sits next to Jackie’s father. And like mine, Ian’s eyes aren’t on the happy couple. They’re on me.

Though it’s November, the shiver that runs through me has nothing to do with the weather.

Due to the packed schedule, MOHzilla had us all sleep over at the ranch. Jules even tried to kick Holt out of his own home, claiming “girl stuff.” Surprising us all, Holt put his foot down.

Seeing as the last time the four of us did girl stuff the police were called (i.e. two days ago), Jules didn’t have much of a leg to stand on.

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