Page 181 of Upgraded

Alaric claps once and directs the group to pass down any remaining dishes, quickly shifting back into cleanup mode.

Grateful for the distraction, I jump back in as well.

It takes three trips, but once we get all the dishes and leftovers into the house, Alaric captures me against the door with a hot, needy kiss.

Our tongues dance, a surge of desire inspiring an ache between my thighs. He’s making a mess of my hair, I’m sure. But I kiss him back just as fiercely. The way he rattled off my business stats did something to my brain. And to my clit.

When we eventually break apart, breathless, he asks, “What does it say about me that I’m jealous of every single one of your friends?”

Laughing, I smack his chest. “It says you’re delusional. You know I only want you.”

He plants his forearm against the wall beside my head, then nudges his nose with mine. “I’m actually most jealous of how long they’ve had the privilege of knowing you. But we’ll get there. This is forever for me, angel,” he says, as if he hasn’t spoken a similar sentiment every day since we reunited. “I want you now. I want you forever.”

I brush my hands up his chest and cup his face. “Forever sounds perfect to me.”

Angling in, I kiss him again.

He pulls away first. “I’ll take care of cleanup. Go enjoy the party.”

We’ve set up an outdoor projector so the film will appear on the closed garage door, but it’s not quite dark enough to get it started.

I make my way outside to find my friends pulling chairs and beanbags out of my studio and onto the driveway.

“Hey, Ev,” Ren calls out. “I’m assuming the couch is off limits?”

“Correct,” I holler back. “Leave my damn couch alone.”

I look around for Mia. She’s the only one who knows the full extent of what my grandma’s poor vintage couch has been through. But I don’t find her. And now that I’m searching, I don’t see Prince either. Curious.

Once the seats are set up and everything’s ready to go, we gather in the garden, drinking and goofing around as we wait for darkness.

As the movie begins, Mia and Prince reappear, her makeup smeared under her eyes and Prince’s hair disheveled.

I give my best friend a knowing look, and she bites back a grin as she makes a beeline for me where I’m lounging on an oversized beanbag.

We’re watchingThe Breakfast Club, the subtitles blurry not only because the movie is older than any of us but because of the way it’s projected onto the garage door.

I lean back in my chair, my best friend by my side, and soak it all in.

How lucky am I to have found people who not only accept me, butlove me as I am? A single, grateful tear rolls down my cheek as the opening credits fade and the movie begins.

The house is dark and quiet when I finally come inside and set the alarms for the night.

Alaric is lounging in bed, shirtless, wearing his reading glasses and holding a massive cookbook.

“How was it?” he asks, setting the tome down beside him.

“It was perfect.” I sigh. “Thank you for insisting on hosting.”

“Cohosting,” he corrects.

He’s been doing that a lot over the last few days: emphasizing our partnership and ensuring things are equitable and fair. I love how thoughtful he is. How much he respects my work. How he never puts more importance on his job or prioritizes his wants or needs above mine.

“I’m sorry if anyone made you feel awkward.” I drape my body over his, assuming one of our favorite positions. Despite all the ways this man shows me that we are equals, sometimes a girl just wants to be held.

He wraps his arms around my low back, arranging me so we’re both comfortable.

“This is new, angel. I don’t expect complete understanding or tolerance right out of the gate. And I have no problem holding my own. But anyone who continues to call me ‘Luca’s dad’ instead of recognizing me as your partner has no grasp on the level of commitment we’re working with here.”

I huff a laugh and bury my face in his neck.

“I meant what I said earlier,” he murmurs, stroking one hand through my hair. “You’re my forever.”

Forever. It has a nice ring to it.

“I love you,” I murmur into his chest. “Now and forever.”