Page 119 of Bayside Heat
“Drake!” she shouted. “We’re supposed to be celebrating, not fighting!” There was no way he could hear her with the music blaring, and he only played music that loud when he was pissed.
She plowed into the bedroom, stopping cold at the sight of her clothes neatly stacked inside a suitcase. Tears sprang from her eyes. She clutched the champagne bottle in one hand, the cookie box in the other, feeling like a fucking idiot. Why had she argued with him? Why was she so damn stubborn?
“Serena.” Drake’s deep voice boomed through the blaring music as he strode out of the bathroom in a towel, his toiletries bag in one hand, shampoo bottle in the other.
“I’ve been trying to call you,” she shouted over the music. “I’m sorry. I know I’m stubborn and a pain in the ass. I shouldn’t have argued with you about Gavin. You’re right, Drake. I should have checked him out. Oh God, please don’t end us because I’m an idiot.”
He tossed the toiletries bag and shampoo into the suitcase and closed the distance between them. “I fucking hate fighting with you,” he shouted. “But that’s who we are, Serena. Two bullheaded people.”
Tears slid down her cheeks. “But we can make it work! I’ll be less stubborn. I promise.”
He cupped her face, shaking his head. Breaking her heart one move at a time. His thumb brushed away her tears, but it did nothing to slow the river of sadness consuming her.
“You can’t be less stubborn, and I don’t want you to,” he said loudly.
“But you packed my stuff! I don’t want you to pack my stuff. I want our stuff together. I can learn to shut up.”
He shook his head again with a disbelieving smile. “No, you can’t.”
“Oh God…” Tears blurred her vision, and the music vibrated inside her chest, making her ache with grief.
“Your unwillingness to sell yourself short or step back for anyone is what makes you so strong!” he shouted. “And my unrelenting need to protect you is what will ensure you won’t get hurt. Don’t you see, Supergirl?” A genuine smile curved his lips. “We are perfect for each other. We were each other’s first loves, and we’ll be each other’s last.”
“But…?” She looked at the suitcase, trying to process his words against his moving her out.
“I was packing our stuff, coming to Boston to be with you until you moved here. I called Reggie, and he said he’d have a report on Gavin tomorrow. I wanted to be there with you when Justine called to accept your offer.”
Happy sobs bubbled out, and Serena lifted the champagne bottle and the cookie box. He took them from her and set them on the bed. Then he lowered his lips to hers, healing her shattered heart one loving kiss at a time. His body was warm and damp from the shower. The deeper they kissed, the hotter he became.
“Drake! Turn it down!” Mira’s voice approaching from down the hall pulled them apart. “Serena’s trying to reach—” She appeared in the doorway.
Drake moved behind Serena, his hard heat pressed against her back. She couldn’t suppress her giggle.
Mira shifted her eyes away. “Oh. Never mind.”
Rick burst into the room behind her. “What’s all the racket?”
Drake put his arms around Serena’s waist, speaking above the music. “Just two passionate people talking. You won’t have to deal with it much longer. I’m going to Boston.”
“For real?” Mira shouted.
“For real,” Drake said as he turned Serena in his arms, gazing down at her like she was the love of his life—and she knew she always would be. “For very, very real.”
Epilogue
SERENA PULLED UP in front of the offices of Mallery and Wheeler Interior Designs and sat in her car for a moment, taking it all in. It had been eight weeks since Reggie Steele’s report on Gavin had come back clean, seven weeks since they’d sealed the deal with Justine, five weeks since she and Gavin had left KHB, and three weeks and five days since they’d opened their new offices. Serena hated secrets, and she’d told Gavin about Drake hiring Reggie Steele to check him out before Justine accepted the offer. She’d been relieved to hear that Gavin had also checked her out long before suggesting they partner together. Apparently, he was as cautious and business savvy as Drake. Needless to say, the two men in her life had since become fast friends.
