Epilogue
One year later
Paige stepped out of the elevator and glanced around the hallway. When it was clear that no one was around, she kicked off her shoes and sighed in relief as her soles hit the carpet. These damn heels did not want to break in. Stubborn things.
Her life was now hectic, since she’d gone from having no jobs to two jobs. After six months of searching, she’d finally landed a part-time junior accounting role at a privately owned architecture firm. It was well below her experience level, but the market was tight. At one point, she would have turned her nose up at it—deeming it “off plan.” But actually, it worked perfectly.
Since Second was now open on Saturdays, she worked two shifts per week there and did three days at the accounting job. Plus she often popped into Second after work, since her office was around the corner, so she and Noah could walk home together. Only today, she’d forgotten to bring her flats and he’d already left without her.
She padded down the hallway to their apartment, juggling her laptop bag, handbag, heels, and the coffee cup from Second. She knocked on the door, hoping Noah would save her from having to dig around for her keys, but only silence greeted her. Grumbling, she fished her key out and managed to get it in the door without dropping anything.
“Hello?” she sang out as she let the door swing shut behind her. “Noah?”
She dropped her stuff onto the couch and left her shoes by the door. A little pile had gathered there, a collection of black and beige work pumps as well as a pair of hot-pink sneakers and some ballet flats. Paige grinned. She wondered how long it would be before Noah threatened to kick her out for turning his manly apartment into a mess of girlie things. She’d already put flowers and candles on almost every flat surface and filled his couch with red and purple throw cushions.
“Babe?” she called out again. Nothing.
That was odd. It wasn’t like Noah to head out without giving her a heads-up, and they’d planned to order dinner in and watch Netflix. Something caught Paige’s eye, a card sitting on the coffee table. It had her name written in very familiar but barely legible writing. Noah.
“What on earth is this?” She reached for the card and flipped it open.
Want to make a bet?
The words filled her with warmth. They’d started their working relationship on a bet, and it had been a similar bet that marked the moment she knew he would be dangerous to her sanity. Thankfully now, he was dangerous in a good way—always pushing her to aim higher, to demand more. To be more.
On the back of the card were the instructions:
Go to the fridge.
Intrigued, Paige wandered to the kitchen area and pulled the refrigerator door open. Inside was a blindfold and a cocktail. The second the berry and mint scent hit her nose, she knew they were the two items from the mixology class. Another card sat on the shelf.
Bet you can’t make it to the bedroom blindfolded.
She grinned. “What’s in it for me?” she called out, but he didn’t answer. She flipped the card over and laughed.
Just do it.
“Okay, fine.” She opened the vodka and took a mouthful, then slipped the blindfold over her eyes. With her hand to the wall she inched along, praying that she wouldn’t stub her toe.
A second later, a warm hand grasped her. “You didn’t think I’d let you hurt yourself, did you?”
His husky voice sent a tremor through her. “Well, when it comes to bets you’re pretty hard-core.”
“What can I say, I like to win.”
He led her to the bedroom, her steps small and careful. Good thing she’d ditched the heels. “Okay, so if this wasn’t the real bet, then what is it?”
His hands left her, and she had to suck in a breath. The blindfold was cool against her summer-heated skin, and she bit down on her lip. The taste of the vodka on her tongue shot her straight back to that night—to the rasp of his voice in her ear, to the gentle way he’d tipped the glass to her lips. To the kiss that had followed in his office.
It felt like a lifetime ago.
“The bet to end all bets.” His hand was at her waist again, his body close to hers. She could feel the heat radiating from him. “How long can you leave the blindfold on?”
She snorted. “What? You think I can’t resist a little curiosity? You’re making it easy for me, Noah.”
She knew he’d been planning something special. Only last week she had found one of her lacy bras in the wrong spot in her drawer. He must have been checking her size. Then, a day later, one of her sexier pairs of shoes had moved.
“You bought me lingerie, didn’t you?” she teased. “And a pair of heels. Oh, are we going away for the weekend? I’m supposed to be doing the morning shift tomorrow.”
“You didn’t accept the bet,” he said, brushing his lips along her cheek. “I bet you’ll tear that thing off in the next five minutes.”
“I will not.” She squared her shoulders. “If you’re planning to undress me, I don’t need my eyes for that. So what do I get if I win?”
“I’ll watch Scream Queens with you,” he said. She could practically see him wrinkling his nose.
“Done! I don’t know why you hate that show. It’s a black comedy. Very funny. In fact…” The words died on her lips when she felt something slip over her finger. “What are you doing?”
“Five minutes on the clock.” Laughter danced in his voice. “Let’s see if the mighty Paige Thomas can make it five minutes without knowing what’s going on.”
She wanted to retort, because verbal foreplay was the kind she liked best. But her left hand felt heavy.
“Did you…?” She rubbed her thumb along the back of her ring finger, feeling an unfamiliar band. “Oh, screw it.”
She ripped the blindfold off and gasped at the diamond on her finger. Well, make that diamonds. Plural. The set of three stones sparkled in the afternoon light, the middle one ever so slightly bigger than the outside two.
“The lady at the store told me the three diamonds are supposed to represent past, present, and future,” he said. Instead of his usual jeans and T-shirt, Noah was dressed in a suit. His blond hair was tamed, and he’d shaved. “I like that the present stone is the biggest one. Seems fitting, right? You’re trying to worry less about the future, and I’m trying to worry less about the past.”
“Oh, Noah.” She blinked, the flood of emotion making it hard to speak. To breathe. “I don’t even know what to say.”
“Say you’ll be happy to keep losing bets to me for the rest of your life.” He shot her that sexier-than-sin grin of his. “I so enjoy winning.”
“Not a chance, buddy.” She threw her arms around his neck and pressed her lips to his. “But I will agree to put up with your cheekiness for the rest of eternity. I’ll consider it my gift to the world.”
His hands were at her waist, smoothing over her back and holding her tighter than ever. “I love you, and I don’t just think it now. I know it.”
“I love you, too,” she whispered.
“So you think we’ve got what it takes?” He dropped his forehead down to hers, his eyes smoky with desire. “Will we last?”
Her heart thumped, so full of love that she could barely stop herself from floating off the ground. “Absolutely. I bet we’ll last forever.”
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