The office building where Mr. Monohan set up For the Record is close to my apartment and Last Call, making it the perfect place to work for several reasons. We had a lot of planning meetings at the bar so the staff could get acquainted. Of course with Nate, David, Emily, and I back on board, some introductions were unnecessary. David was promoted to news editor, and Emily is the opinions editor. It’s safe to say the editorial staff will work quite well together.

It took a little while to get the office into shape, but it has a very open feel to it. Instead of the cubicles being in a row like at Priority News, they’re arranged in groups of four, so the staff is facing each other. Mr. Monohan and I both have large offices with walls and doors, a first for me. I’m getting used to the extra space, which I’m sure will come in handy when I need to request a special meeting with Nate. Mr. Monohan even sprung for a mahogany desk and leather chairs for me. I’m also enjoying the great view from my office, though I chose to position my desk so I could look out onto the news floor and see everyone else. The fact that Nate’s desk happens to be conveniently located outside of mine might have something to do with that.

We’ve all gathered in the meeting room, where Mr. Monohan has a spread of assorted donuts, pastries, and muffins. At the head of the table, Mr. Monohan holds up a glass of punch, which we all swear Emily spiked, especially since her response when we asked was, “No comment.”

The murmurs die down and everyone looks to Mr. Monohan.

“I want to thank you all for coming on board with me as I launch this paper. It’s always been a dream of mine to start my own press, and yes, we will have weekly newspapers in addition to being online.”

Cheers ring out and cups of red punch are raised in the air. Mr. Monohan nods in approval. “I guess it’s only fitting that we raise our glasses to Marjorie and Oliver Strauss for making this all possible.” He winks at me, and the former Priority News crew exchange glances since we’re the only ones who know what happened weeks ago. The others are probably assuming one newspaper helped another get on its feet, and in a way that’s true. We all saw the sinking ship and swam for a better one.

“To new beginnings and better times ahead,” I say, standing up and raising my glass. Mr. Monohan encouraged me to take a leadership role so the staff writers saw me as his right-hand woman, and I plan to do exactly that.

“To new beginnings,” Nate says from his seat beside me.

“Now, let’s eat this food and get to work,” Mr. Monohan says with a smile.

I sit down, and Nate kisses my cheek. “Good work, boss.”

“You’re really okay with me being your boss?” I ask.

“Definitely. I love my job here, and you deserve this.” He leans in closer and whispers, “Are you okay with the fact that I’m madly in love with my superior?”

I turn my head and press my lips to his. “Yes, and so you know, I won’t be bossing you around. Despite the difference in job titles, we are equals in my mind.”

His mouth brushes my ear. “I don’t mind a little bossing around, but I’d prefer if it happened at home in our bedroom.” In one swift motion, he presses a kiss to my neck and stands up. I’m not sure anyone saw it, but I definitely felt it. My entire body is on fire with desire for that man. I watch him walk over to Mr. Monohan, and I take another sip of punch to cool me down.

“How’s life living with Nate?” David asks, bumping his shoulder into mine in the seat next to me.

I look over my shoulder at Nate laughing at something Mr. Monohan said. His dimple surfaces, drawing my attention. His eyes flit to mine, conveying how much he’d love to blow off work and rush me back to our home. He won’t, though. Not after Mr. Monohan gave him a second chance.

“That good, huh?” David says with a laugh.

“It’s only been two weeks, but it’s going great.” Waking up in Nate’s arms every morning is pure heaven. I think it was fate that kept him from getting back into his former apartment. The place was rented out again immediately, and neither of us complained. After waiting to be together all these years, there’s no such thing as moving too quickly. Living together seemed like the perfect next step.

“I can see that. And I saw that little maneuver he pulled, kissing your neck. I made a mental note to try that with Emily.” He eyes his girlfriend, their relationship having become official days before at a meeting we all had at Last Call.

“How am I going to deal with my staff all dating each other?” Mr. Monohan asks, coming up behind us with Nate in tow.

Nate stops behind me, placing his hands on my shoulders. I cover one of his hands with mine.

“I’ve got these two pawing each other and sneaking kisses when they think no one is watching, and David and Emily making googly eyes at each other all the time.” He claps his hands together to get everyone’s attention. “This is a damn newspaper, people. Let’s get to work!” While his tone is authoritative, it’s filled with warmth. He’s genuinely happy to have us here.

Everyone files out, and Nate follows me to my office, closing the door behind him. “I love that you have an office.”

I walk around the desk and swipe the touch pad on my laptop to bring it out of sleep mode. “You love that I have four walls and a door that locks.”

“Isn’t that what I said?” He walks to me and takes my hands from the computer, resting them over his shoulders.

“Do you know what I love?” I ask.

“Me, hopefully.” He kisses my neck.

“Yes, that’s true, but it wasn’t what I was thinking.”

“Were you thinking this?” He kisses my neck again, finding the spot that drives me crazy.

“That, too, but no.” I cup his cheek and make him look at me. “I love that all of this feels right, natural.”

“Because it is. This is exactly where we’re meant to be. It just took one of us longer than the other to see it.” He winks and gives me a devilish smile.

I shake my head. “No. Not really. Even when I was with Aaron—hell, even with Drake before him—it was always you, Nate. I was afraid of jeopardizing what we had to pursue it.”

“Thank God we’re not stupid college kids anymore.” He drapes his arms around my waist.

“No, we’re not.”

“And for the record, I knew it was always you all along.”

I roll my eyes. “Nate.”

“Yes, boss?”

I smile. “No more arguing about who knew what and when. Just kiss me.”

“My pleasure, boss.”

And the moment his lips meet mine, I’m grateful for the four walls and locked door, too.

* * *