Epilogue
Max put the finishing touches on dinner while he waited for Lana to get home.
They were at her townhouse tonight, a Friday, and they’d be staying here all weekend.
Max preferred having his own belongings at his fingertips, but Lana liked the same thing, so they’d been compromising.
He also would’ve taken his ocean panoramas over her view of the neighbor’s trash can, but no way was he bringing that up.
He’d been happy to escape work early. Bennett Security had several new hires now, all of whom needed training, but they were starting to meld with the rest of his team. Max had made progress on delegating more responsibilities, which freed up an extra hour here or there to spend on Lana.
Their schedules were hectic, always changing, and he cherished their time together. But Max was a greedy bastard, so of course he only wanted more.
That was where tonight’s homemade dinner came in. Shrimp scampi, broccoli rabe, saffron-infused rice. Often, they had to settle for takeout, quick salads, or sandwiches. But Max had a couple of big questions for her, and he was totally buttering her up.
He heard her car pull up. Lana came inside, dumping her laptop bag and purse by the door. “Something smells amazing in here.”
She gave him a kiss, sliding off her shoes.
Together they plated up dinner and poured glasses of wine.
While they ate, they shared stories from work.
This was Max’s favorite part of any day.
Well, maybe second favorite. He found himself saving up thoughts at the office in anticipation of telling Lana, hearing her laugh or her huff of indignation, asking for her advice.
“Is Sylvie still bugging you to take a vacation?”
“Only twice a day or so.” Although Max had been working a more humane schedule, he still rarely took a whole day off. Neither did Lana.
“I know your trial goes through next week, but what would you say to a long weekend in the Caribbean afterward? I found this little resort, really private…” He was pushing his last piece of shrimp around his plate as he spoke. He lifted his eyes when Lana didn’t answer.
“I don’t know.” She was biting her lip. “Are you bringing those tiny swim shorts of yours?”
“That could be arranged. If I get to pick your bikini.”
“Then I’m in. I can’t wait to go on vacation with you. As long as there’s still Wi-Fi at this resort?”
“Oh, there’s definitely Wi-Fi. Let’s not get carried away.”
She seemed pleased. And she’d be showing her appreciation in her bedroom later, if the small foot massaging his calf was any indication.
So far, so good. Now, for the bigger ask.
Max cleared his throat. He had his whole argument prepared. “So, I’ve been thinking.”
“Uh oh.”
“Hey, give me a chance.”
“What? I’m listening.”
“I’ve been thinking…”—he cut his eyes at her, daring her to interrupt— “that we’ve been wasting a lot of time driving between our places.
And I know how annoying it is when you forget a file or a witness statement back at your place and have to go fetch it.
I think it would be much more sensible if we just move in together. ”
Lana pushed her plate away, folding her hands on the table. “Go on.”
“Well, that’s it. I want all the time with you I can get.”
“But that’s not the same as your first argument. At first, you just said it was ‘sensible.’ Like any reasonable person might decide to have a roommate.”
“Nope, I’m only talking about unreasonable people here. Such as me.” He knew what she was after. “I love you. I want to share everything with you. Would you move in with me, please?”
She nodded thoughtfully, like this was just a mildly interesting business proposal. “Move in where? My place or yours?”
“I just assumed it would be mine. My apartment’s a lot bigger. And…nicer.”
Retreat. She’s glaring.
“And I do own my place, while yours is a rental.”
“All good points. But here’s my issue. I don’t want to live at your work.
I don’t want to see your employees every time I go in and out of the building or pick up the mail.
And it’s one thing for you to answer some emails on your laptop in the middle of the night.
It’s another for you to disappear downstairs like you were never off duty. ”
“You’ve never said that stuff bothered you.”
“Because it wasn’t my home. You’re talking about sharing a space. But every space in that building will always be yours.”
This wasn’t going as well as he’d hoped. But he was a problem solver. He could improvise. “So, we find a new place. Together.”
“Halfway between both of our workplaces? With ocean views?”
“Exactly what I was thinking.”
She pushed back her chair and sat in his lap, circling her arms around his neck. “Can I be the one to decorate?”
“No problem.”
“Can I have the bigger home office?”
He opened his mouth. “Sure,” he said tightly.
“I was just kidding. But good to know.” She ran her fingers through his hair. “Can I have you all to myself whenever I want you?”
Now that one was easy. “Yes, Lana.”
She grinned. “That’s just what I hoped you’d say.”