Page 83 of Cabin Fever
Jonah looks up, surprised. “You’re not going to curse me out?”
I shrug. “No. I’ve had a year to curse you in my head. I’m over it.”
He breathes out, relieved but not sure if he should smile. “You’re a bigger person than I am, Kat. Seriously.”
I shake my head. “I’m just tired. I want to start the next part of my life without dragging a grudge everywhere.”
Jonah nods, then pulls out a battered pack of gum, offers me a piece. I decline. He chews a stick, hands in pockets, silent for a bit.
“You know, you’re the first person Talon’s ever written about,” he says. “I think every other character truly was fictional. And I think he was scared of how much he loves you.”
I nod. “Yes, I know.”
He smiles, small and lopsided, and it almost makes me like him.
Before either of us can say anything else, the door swings open and Talon’s head pops out. “Hey, Kitten. You want to come in? I have an announcement.”
Jonah and I share a look. I don’t like this person, but at least he apologized and will be leaving soon.
“Duty calls,” I say, pushing off the rail.
Inside, everyone’s crowded around the fireplace. Talon’s standing in the center, a bottle of good bourbon in hand, a wicked gleam in his eyes. He waits until I’m next to him, then loops his arm around my waist, holding me close.
“I just wanted to let you all know,” he begins, “thatAngel’s Sharehas been optioned for a film. And—” he pauses for effect, squeezing my hip— “the studio wants Kat to co-write the screenplay with me.”
There’s a stunned silence, followed by a volley of congratulations. Simone screams and nearly knocks over a lamp, Malcolm gives an approving “Ha!” and even Erasmus manages a smile that cracks the granite of his face.
Renee claps her hands. “That’s amazing! Will you be the on-set couple who makes everyone else uncomfortable?”
I laugh. “We’ll try our best.”
Jonah raises his glass from the back. “Hell of a sequel, you two.”
The rest of the night is a blur of clinking glasses, messy hugs, and impromptu toasts. Simone pulls me aside and says, “You realize you’re a legend now, right?” to which I can only reply, “I’m just happy to be done with the prequel.”
Later, as the last guests file out and the fire burns low, Talon catches me in the kitchen, presses me against the counter, and kisses me with a hunger that’s only grown since the first day we met.
“You in for this?” he asks, breath hot against my cheek. “The movie, the writing, the whole damn mess?”
I look at him, really look, and for the first time, there’s no fear, no doubt, just the giddy certainty that I belong exactly here, right now.
“Yes, one hundred percent,” I say. “Let’s make something beautiful.”
With that, he hesitates, then pulls something from his pocket—a small metal key ring, cool and heavy, with two keys and a tiny owl charm. He offers it in his palm like he’s afraid I’ll drop it.
“I know this is a little sudden because we just finished the renovation, Kat, but I love you and want you to move in with me,” he says, voice lower than usual. “Both here, and at the city place. No secrets, no bullshit. Just you and me, and whatever else you want to bring.”
The words hit me with a crash of joy. “You mean it?” I ask, not daring to touch the keys yet.
He nods. “It’s not a proposal,” he clarifies, holding up his hands. “I’m not that much of a cliché although I do want to marry you someday. But it is—” his gaze softens “—the start of something better than a story. A life. With you in it. If you want it.”
I stare at the keys, then up at him, and my chest fills so fast I almost float off the floor. I reach out and take the ring, feeling the weight settle into my hand, heavy and bright as a promise.
“I want it,” I whisper, and then I’m kissing him, wine and heat and relief all tangled on my tongue.
He lifts me like I’m nothing, carries me to the office, and sets me on the edge of my new desk. I giggle, kicking off my shoes. “You trying to initiate me or something?”
My boyfriend grins, dark and gorgeous. “I thought we’d make some memories on your first night in the renovated place.”
