Page 88 of He Knows When You're Awake

“You bought a star,” she notes.

“I wasn’t sure if you had your grandmother’s.”

The puppy yawns dramatically, making Sloane laugh despite herself.

“Cole...” she whispers, reaching to take the puppy. It immediately starts covering her face in enthusiastic kisses. “This is the puppy from the rescue van. You adopted him? I thought—”

“I know it’s crazy,” I say quickly, my words tumbling out. “I know puppies are messy and unpredictable and completely against everything I usually—” I break off as the puppy wriggles free from Sloane’s arms and bounds over to me, attacking my tie with delighted ferocity. I can’t help but smile. “But when I saw the way you looked at the little guy...”

Sloane watches me as I gently detangle my silk tie from the puppy’s mouth, and I’m acutely aware of how undignified I must look—Cole Archer, CEO, completely undone by a handful of fur and enthusiasm. But somehow, I don’t care.

“When did you do this?” she asks, moving closer, taking the puppy into her arms.

“Knox went back for him. He’s been hiding at his place, which has not been good for Knox’s reputation with his security team.” I feel my expression turn serious, the weight of what I’ve done settling in. “I know it’s a big step. A puppy isn’t just a gift, it’s—”

“A commitment,” she finishes. “A responsibility. A complete disruption to your perfectly ordered life.”

“Our life,” I correct her softly. “And maybe it needs disrupting.” The puppy is licking her face and squirming all around. She catches him just before he face-plants. “I’ve spent my whole life thinking I needed to control everything. Then you came along...” I look down at the puppy, now contentedly chewing her finger. “I thought I was giving you a gift, but really... I think I’m giving us both permission to make a mess. Create something new.”

She takes a deep breath, and I can see the walls she’s built around herself starting to crumble. Carefully, she sets the puppy down on the floor, where he immediately begins investigating his new surroundings.

Sloane steps toward me until we’re just inches apart. Her eyes search mine, and I force myself to stay still, to let her see everything—my regret, my hope, my love.

“I was so angry,” she whispers. “Not just because of what happened, but because I was afraid of my worst fear. That you never really believed in me.”

“I believe in you more than I’ve ever believed in anything,” I say, my voice rough with emotion. “And I swear I’ll spend the rest of my life proving it to you.”

She reaches up, cupping my face in her hands. “You found a crooked Christmas tree.”

“I found the perfect tree.”

A smile breaks across her face, this one reaching all the way to her eyes. “Yes, you did.”

And then she’s rising on her tiptoes, her lips meeting mine in a kiss that feels like coming home. I wrap my arms around her waist, pulling her closer, feeling the tension of the past days dissolving as her body melds against mine. The kiss deepens, filled with forgiveness and promise.

A crash from the kitchen interrupts us, followed by the sound of scampering paws. We break apart and turn to see the puppy streak past the doorway, a dish towel clutched triumphantly in his mouth.

Sloane laughs, a real laugh that makes her eyes crinkle at the corners. She walks over and kisses me. Her lips are soft against mine, and something in my chest unravels.

“You’re really saying yes to shoes being chewed and perfectly arranged pillows being knocked over?” she asks, pulling back with a smile that makes my heart skip.

“I ordered protective covers for all the furniture,” I admit. “And puppy-proofing consultants are coming tomorrow.”

She laughs, the sound filling the space between us as she picks up the puppy again. “Of course they are.” The puppy has discovered her hair and is treating it like the world’s best toy. “I love you,” she says, still smiling as she tries to free her hair from tiny teeth.

The words hang in the air, and I feel my breath catch. She goes very still, clearly realizing what she’s just said—what she’s never said before.

“I—” she starts to say, but I cut her off with a kiss that pours every ounce of what I’m feeling into her. My hands find her face, cradling it like something precious.

“I love you too.” My voice comes out rough with emotion. “God, Sloane, I’ve been trying to find the perfect moment to tell you, and here you are, just saying it while a puppy uses you as a chew toy.”

She lets out a shaky laugh that I feel against my lips. “That’s us, isn’t it? You planning everything to perfection, and me just blurting things out between catastrophes.”

“I wouldn’t have it any other way.” I brush her hair back from her face, my fingertips lingering on her skin. “And for the record, this actually might be the perfect moment.”

“Better than whatever elaborate scenario you had planned?” Her eyes are teasing now, the green in them bright with happiness.

“Way better,” I admit. “I was thinking about renting out The Pierre. I had a whole speech prepared. But this...” I glance around at our living room—the crooked tree, the messy decorations, the puppy chewing everything it sees. “This is us. Real. Messy. Perfect.”