~ Eight Months Later ~

“I can’t believe we’re packing you again,” Nicole grumbles as she stacks the box she closed on top of another one.

“And again, you’re acting like you’ve done anything of value,” I toss at her.

The construction starts in three days, and I’ve procrastinated long enough. I can’t screw around anymore. Plus, Noah will be home tomorrow and he thinks I’ve already done it.

Oops.

“Feed me.” She lies on the floor. “I’m dying.”

She’s worse than Aubrey. “Get up or you’re going to wish you were dead.”

Danielle comes out from the bedroom, looks at Nicole, and drops the box close to her head.

“Bitch!” Nicole snaps. “I almost had a heart attack. One inch over, and you’d be paying for my plastic surgery.”

“You got up, mission accomplished,” Danni smirks.

“I miss Heather,” I say, feeling a little wistful. “She should’ve come home for this.”

She was home last month to sign the deed over to me. I officially own this house . . . with Noah.

We didn’t want to move the kids again since they’re settled in, and Heather was beyond happy when we approached her. I think she enjoys knowing another family is going to raise their kids in the house that means everything to her.

Or she’s just tired of the things that need to be fixed and likes that it’s now my problem.

Noah was adamant that if we were staying, we were going to make it ours. So, on one of his long weekends home from France, he did what he does best and hired a freaking crew to dismantle my life.

My phone rings, and my assistant’s number flashes. “Hi, Erica,” I say with the phone to my shoulder.

“Kristin! It’s like a disaster here. I don’t know what to do. You were supposed to come in today, and you didn’t. I’ve got four phones ringing and the spread is all wrong. It’s just wrong, I need you to fix it. Fix it.”

Oh, Erica . . . why did I ever think this was a good idea?

“Take a deep breath. It’s going to be fine. I looked over the spread yesterday and made an adjustment. The magazine is going to be perfect,” I say in a calm tone.

She’s always freaking out. This is our second circulation, and we managed just fine with the first one. You’d think it was her virginal prom night with the way she goes nuts. Now, I get why she had a meditation room, the chick is always needing to do some deep breathing.

“Okay. Sure. Yes. I’ll be okay. You’ll be okay. I’m going to get my boxed water, have myself a nice bike ride, and pray to the ocean tonight.”

I pretend as if she didn’t say any of that.

“Sounds fun, honey. I’m sure the ocean will love that you’re asking for its help. I’m working now, good luck.”

I stand, scratching my head and wondering what I was drinking when I brought her with me to the magazine. I was drunk. I had to be.

And what the hell is boxed water? Boxed? Water comes in a bottle, but this is Erica, and I’ve learned to ask fewer questions.

“Everything all right?” Danni asks.

There’s only one word to describe it. “Erica.”

My friends love her in theory. She’s been beside me, defending me, and being my biggest champion from the moment we first talked. But even if Noah didn’t destroy me personally and professionally—I was done. Catherine explained that she had to discredit the article, which in turn made Celebaholic and me look shoddy.

As much as I’d like to pretend I’m sad about that, I’m not. I hated that job. Now, I own a lifestyle magazine geared to women over thirty. We focus on home, relationships, children, workforce things, and style.

I. Love. My. Company.

As long as I don’t say the name.

“Ahhh.” She nods. “I McGettit.”

Nicole bursts out laughing, and they high five. Assholes.

“You can McGet out of my house.”

“And what would we do for entertainment?” Nicole asks.

“I hate you. All of you. Hate.”

Erica was in charge of submitting the forms for the corporation. I pre-signed them because I was heading to France for two weeks. She was supposed to fill out the information once I decided on the name, which was Friends in Chic, and submit it. Easy as pie.

She felt our name wasn’t trendy enough. So, she named our very prestigious magazine, Kristin Mc-Gets-it.

Nicole and Danielle lock arms and giggle. “We accept your hate and raise you a we don’t care.”

My friends are on my list—with Erica.

Aubrey runs in with a box, stopping our little feud. “Auntie Danielle, can you make sure Aunt Nicole doesn’t take this please.”

Nicole raises her brows and laughs. “Me? What did I do?”

“You said you were going to eat my animals for lunch.” Aubrey pulls the box to the side. “They’re not food.”

“I was hungry, and you wouldn’t let me leave the room.”

Aubrey looks at Nicole and shakes her head. These two are a mess separately, but together they’re out of control. Aubrey will do things that remind me so much of Nicole it’s scary—I’m not excited about it. I love my best friend, but her mother was gray very early in life.

“You’re not supposed to eat them, Aunt Nicole!”

Nicole sighs dramatically. “Fine, I won’t eat them.”

Danielle and I watch with our hands over our mouths as Aubrey extends the box and then pulls it back.

“Aubrey Nicole!” Nic yells. I think she likes using my daughter’s middle name as much as she can. Had I known that naming Aubrey after a friend meant she would be like that person, I would’ve chosen Heather.

Maybe.

Aubrey takes the box and walks off.

“That girl.” Danielle laughs. “I can’t, she’s the best thing ever.”

“I happen to agree.” Noah’s deep voice causes my pulse to spike.

He’s here. He’s here early.

“You’re home!” I break out in a run and leap into his arms.

“Hi, sweetheart.” He laughs as he barely catches me.

I kiss his lips over and over, beyond ecstatic that I can. It’s been over three weeks since the last time we saw each other. The kids and I video call with him every night, but it isn’t the same.

I can’t touch his skin, feel his warmth, or smell his cologne. My memory is no substitute for the real thing.

His green eyes are a little lighter and his skin has a bronze tint to it. For the movie he just wrapped filming on, he was playing a spy, and they had him buzz his hair. I thought I would hate it, but he’s insanely sexy. If I could’ve climbed through the computer and have him assault me with his weapon of mass destruction, I would have. However, we don’t do anything over the internet. So . . . I had to wait.

I don’t have to wait anymore. My tongue delves into his mouth, sliding against his tongue, tasting all that is Noah.

“If you’re going to have sex right now, can I watch? I’m all for free porn,” Nicole asks from behind us.

Noah breaks the kiss, and I pout. “Go away!” I yell to them.

“Don’t worry, there’s more of that,” Noah promises before kissing my nose.

There better be. I want more now, though. Stupid friends and kids who are keeping us from a little mattress dancing.

“Danni will watch the kids . . .” Nicole offers.

Not a bad idea. I open my mouth, but Noah speaks first. “Good to know.”

“I think he thinks I’m kidding.” She nudges Danielle.

Danielle snorts. “I think he’s afraid you’re not.”

“Or that I’d join in,” Nicole jokes. “I’m game for either.”

My legs are wrapped around his waist, and I attach myself like a second layer of clothing. He looks down at me with a mischievous grin. “You planning to interject?”

“She couldn’t handle your hotness, baby. Plus, she likes two men . . .”

Noah chuckles. “You two have spent too much time together lately.” His voice drops low so only I can hear. “Tonight, we’ll see what else has rubbed off.”

Oh, there will be lots of rubbing tonight. I wiggle my brows and smirk. “I’m counting on that, hot stuff.”

“I missed you.” Noah twists a little as I continue to hang on him. “You getting down so I can move?”

“Nope.”

I’m perfectly content like this. I have three weeks’ worth of hugging to make up for. I almost feel bad for him, but then I don’t. For the last eight months we’ve dealt with long flights, time zone issues, his ridiculous filming schedule, press inquiries about our relationship, and me starting my new job. It’s been hell.

It’s finally over.

I’m clinging to this moment because I’ve needed it—I’ve needed him.

“Okay then.” He smiles and walks into the living room with me. Noah gets to the couch and drops me on my back with him covering me. “Nicole, you wanted to watch, right? I think someone should entertain the kids—”

“Noah!” I yell and push him off me. “Oh my God, you’re such an ass.”

“Maybe, but you love me,” he challenges.

Damn right I do. But then again who wouldn’t? He’s freaking perfect.

And hot.

And sweet.

And loves me with his whole heart.

But I do love messing with him and feel it’s my duty to keep him humble.

I shrug. “Eh, you’re all right.”

“I’ll give you all right.”

Danielle clears her throat. “As fun as it is to watch you two, and by fun, I mean not at all, your contractor will be here soon, and you’re not even close to ready.”

He gets to his feet and pulls me up with him. I slice my hand across my throat as she talks, but she doesn’t take the hint. Damn it.

“Wait?” Noah turns. “Not done?”

I rock back onto my heels and tuck my head down. “I might have exaggerated a little about how much I got done . . .”

Thankfully, my son emerges, saving me from the lecture that was sure to come. “Noah!”

“Hey, man!”

Finn and Noah’s relationship has grown even with the distance. It’s been great watching them bond. Noah has helped settle everyone without even trying. I’m happier, the kids are happier, and all of us are excited about the changes.

Noah asked Finn’s permission to move in, and after that, they were best friends.

“Are you back for good?” Finn asks.

“Yup. I’m here for forever.”

His eyes meet mine on the last word, and I melt.

Noah is my forever.

Noah is my always.