“I want you to be happy. Whatever that means.”
“I have to provide for us, Libby. I want you to focus on your photography.”
“You don’t have to provide for me. We’re partners. We’ll figure it out. Together. Okay?” she asked sleepily. He realized it was after midnight in Kansas City. No wonder she was tired.
He gazed into her eyes and kissed her softly. “I made you a present.”
That got her attention. “What is it?”
“I’ll show you tomorrow.”
She propped herself up on her elbow. “You can’t tell me that and expect me to wait. I want my present now, Noah McMillan.”
He leaned over and kissed her again. “I’ll give you anything you want, Libby McMillan.”
She grinned against his lips. “You’ll regret that promise.”
“Probably.” He grinned back. “But it’s worth it.” He stood and stepped into his jeans. “I need to take poor Tortoise outside anyway. Don’t fall asleep.”
But she was dozing when he got back, her hair spilled on the pillow behind her head. He stared at her for several seconds before she roused.
“Stalker,” she murmured.
“I couldn’t help myself,” he laughed as he sat down beside her, hiding the candlestick behind his back.
“Where’s my present?”
“Am I not present enough?” he teased.
“You’re everything I need, but you promised me a present. Where is it?”
He loved this about her. Her excitement over the littlest things. She made him feel that same giddy happiness. He had no idea how he’d gotten lucky enough to have her, but he would never deny his need for her again.
He fingered the grooves of the candlestick, suddenly nervous. “I made it for you this afternoon. I was going to bring it to you as a peace offering. I’m still rusty, so keep that in mind.”
“You were going to come to me?”
“I couldn’t live without you, Lib. Even if that makes me a selfish bastard.”
She grinned. “Then I’m a selfish bastard too.” She sat up, practically bouncing with excitement. “Now back to my present. You made it? Give it to me!”
He put it into her open hands. “It’s a candlestick. Like I said, I’m rusty so it’s a little uneven on the left—”
She kissed him and pressed the candlestick into his chest in her excitement. “You made this?”
“Yeah.”
“It’s the most beautiful gift I’ve ever gotten. It’s even better than the one Blair gave me before I got on the plane, so that’s saying something.”
He wanted to ask what Blair had given her, but she distracted him with that beautiful mouth of hers. They showered each other with kisses, and he marveled that he could be so deliriously happy.
As he drifted off to sleep, her voice broke into his thoughts.
“Oh, my palm was right all along,” she murmured, half-asleep. “And I was scared I’d gotten it wrong.”
He roused awake, determined to never let her down again. “What did you see on your palm?”
“You. I was so worried it was someone else.” She looked up at him when he tensed. “I’ll explain it to you tomorrow. Just know that your candlestick is the most perfect present to chase away my last lingering doubt.”
“You still doubt us?”
She shook her head. “No. Not anymore. Just promise to love me even when the girls go south and we’re good.”
He smiled, kissing her forehead. “I promise to love you no matter what.”
It was the easiest promise he’d ever made.
Epilogue
Libby paced the floor of the New York art gallery, feeling like she was about to throw up. Her exhibit was opening in half an hour and she wasn’t ready.
Her husband’s arms pulled her back to his chest and his lips found her neck. “It’s going to be great, love,” he whispered in her ear. “Your exhibit is amazing.”
She laughed. “You’re just saying that because you’re in every single photo.”
He laughed with her. “Well, I’m sure having an amazing model helped.” He spun her around, looking down at her with so much love it sucked her breath away. “I’m so proud of you, Lib. You did it.”
“Only because of your encouragement.”
Garrett groaned. “Are you two newlyweds about to attack each other again? Because you have a room only a couple of miles away. Use it.”
“Like you’re one to talk,” Noah laughed, keeping his arm around her back and tugging her to his side. “I just saw you feeling up your wife a few minutes ago.”
To Libby’s surprise, Blair blushed.
“Okay, okay.” Josh squeezed Megan’s hand as they walked toward the group. “We’re all newlyweds and we can’t keep our hands off each other. May we always be this way.”
“Hear, hear,” Noah agreed and motioned toward the entrance to the room.
A waiter walked up to Noah, carrying a tray of champagne. “As you requested, sir.”
Noah winked at Libby and she felt herself blush as he started to hand out the flutes. “I think all six of us have something to celebrate, so Libby and I thought it would be good for all of us to say what we’re grateful for.” He held up his glass and looked into Libby’s eyes. “Libby. I wouldn’t be half the man I am without you. Thank you for standing by me while I tried to figure out what I wanted to be when I grew up.”
He’d struggled with his decision to stay in the office, but Libby had encouraged him to try, assuring him he’d have her full support to quit if he felt pressured or overwhelmed by Josh. But Josh had stuck to his promise to stay out of Noah’s office. He’d flourished in his position over the last couple of months. Libby was so proud of him, some days she wasn’t sure she could contain her happiness.
They’d moved into his grandfather’s house, and he spent part of his time in the workshop, creating things out of wood. She’d confessed her fear that her palm had said she would marry someone creative, and he’d told her that if woodworking wasn’t creative enough, he had all sorts of creative ways to make love.
“I’m so proud of you, Libby.” His eyes glistened. “You did it, baby. Even though I tease you about your success being linked to your ridiculously handsome model, this was all you. And it’s just the beginning of many great things.”
She reached up on her tiptoes and kissed him, smiling against his lips before she lowered back down.
“I never would have finished if not for you. Not just because you were my model,” she teased. “But because quitting was never an option. You fed me, gave me coffee, and encouraged me when I was sure I’d never make the deadline. Thank you.” Tears filled her eyes. “I never knew I could be so happy until you loved me.”
Garrett coughed and said under his breath, “Get a room.”
The group laughed and Noah kissed her anyway. When he lifted his head, he shot his friend a grin. “Okay, hot shot. Your turn.”
Blair lifted her eyebrow in expectation.
Garrett’s grin turned mischievous for a moment, like he was going to make some sort of joke, but then he said, “I’m grateful for second chances.” He turned to his wife and held up his glass. “Blair, these last few months have been a whirlwind, but I wouldn’t trade them for anything. I can’t believe you’re mine after everything that happened, and I can’t wait to spend the rest of my life with you.”