Epilogue | Jake
I arrive at The Daily Grind only a minute before I told Charlotte I’d be here to pick her up. I’m cutting it close, thanks to a late call, but I’m lucky to be here now, even though I had to rush over straight from the station. The streets are already buzzing with New Year’s Eve energy despite the early hour. Tourists in their celebratory hats and oversized dated glasses crowd the sidewalks, eager to secure spots for the night’s festivities. I’m grateful our plan is a quiet dinner at Mack and Maya’s place even if Mack's on shift tonight. Levi and Zoe, as well as Brock and Libby will be there, too, to watch the ball drop on TV. Much better than being crushed and freezing our asses off in Times Square like we might have been in our younger days.
Through the frosted window I catch sight of Charlotte, her dark hair tied up in a ponytail, as she tugs off her apron. My breath fogs in the winter air, but I don’t mind the cold. The chill is welcome after a long shift of drills and the small kitchen fire we handled just now. Plus, the sight of Charlotte’s effortless grace and unmatched beauty never gets old. She laughs at something Amber or Nora says, and I can’t help but smile, too.
It’s been six months since that weekend in Vermont when everything changed. Six months of waking up to her warm body curled against mine. Six months of coffee deliveries that actually contain my standing order. Six months of letting her fight her own battles while still being there to back her up when she needs it. Six months of double dates with Brock and Libby, who can’t stop taking credit for the fact their wedding was the catalyst that finally pushed Charlotte and me together after two years.
And now, here we are, back at New Year’s Eve, although everything is different now.
The glass in the front window reflects my crew cut and well-worn Taming of the Drew sweatshirt. Charlotte’s been starring as Kate for the past three months in the off-Broadway parody that’s been collecting rave reviews from every critic in the city. She told me just the other day there are rumors of extending the run through the summer. I’ve seen the show at least a dozen times myself. So many times that the crew at the station gives me endless shit about how whipped I am, but I don’t care. Watching my girlfriend do what she loves while commanding a stage, all fierce intelligence and sharp wit, is worth it, even if it means a night with friends, like we have tonight, is rare.
Three years ago, we were strangers meeting at a crowded party where champagne flowed freely and possibilities seemed endless, until everything went sideways. Now, instead of a pounding club, we’ll be cozy on the couch. It’s funny how what once seemed like the ultimate New Year’s celebration now pales compared to a quiet evening with friends and the woman I love.
Through the window, I see Lily, who works in the high rise above, coming from the direction of the restroom. Her frazzled expression softens as Charlotte slides two coffees across the counter. My chest tightens with pride at how Charlotte remembers everyone’s preferences, how she genuinely cares about the people in her orbit. She might pretend to be all sharp edges, but underneath, she’s pure warmth.
I head inside, and it’s Amber who spots me first, as she’s clearing tables. “Well, look who’s here,” she says, pretending to check a watch. “And right on schedule.”
“Hey, Amber,” I reply. “It’s nice to see you, too.”
Charlotte looks up from the register, flashing me a megawatt smile that lights up her entire face. Her gray eyes dance with mischief as I head toward her. Heat floods my system as our gazes lock. Even now, after six months of being able to touch her, to please her body often, the sight of her still steals my breath.
“How are you, babe?” I lean across the counter to plant a quick kiss on her lips. She tastes like a vanilla latte, sweet and intoxicating.
“Good,” Charlotte murmurs against my lips, grabbing my sweatshirt, so I can’t escape.
“Get a room,” Nora groans from where she’s cleaning the espresso machine.
“Already have one,” I murmur against Charlotte’s mouth, low enough that only she can hear. “And can’t wait to get you back there later.”
A delicious flush spreads across her cheeks as she releases me, but her hand lingers on my forearm, thumb tracing lazy circles that send electricity racing through my veins.
“Speaking of rooms…” Lily interjects, settling her hip against the counter with her coffee. “When are you two moving in together? You’re basically joined at the hip whenever you’re both free.”
“Yeah,” Amber chimes in. “You two went from a weekend truce to inseparable in what? Like seventy-two hours? And that was six months ago.”
“We’re working on it.” Charlotte circles the counter to slip an arm around my waist. It’s true. We’ve been talking about moving in together for months now, but between her mornings at the coffeeshop and most nights at the show, she’s been busy. But so have I. I’ve been picking up extra shifts and saving every penny I can to buy an engagement ring. By spring, I should have enough, and I’m already dreaming up memorable ways I could propose. But I’m not there yet.
“Hey,” I add. “I’m still proving I can be trusted with a key to her place.”
“Oh, please,” Charlotte rolls her eyes, but the affection in her voice is unmistakable. “Like I didn’t catch you replacing all my smoke detector batteries and installing carbon monoxide detectors the day after I gave you that key.”
“Safety first, sweetheart,” I reply, unable to keep the grin off my face. Some habits die hard, but Charlotte—thank god—understands now that my need to protect her isn’t because I think she’s weak. Rather, it’s because I love her so much that the thought of anything happening to her is more terrifying than any burning building I’ve ever entered.
“Well,” Lily says, sighing dramatically, “some of us are still swiping left on every profile The One throws our way. At least I can live vicariously through you two for a bit longer before you get all married and boring.”
“Trust me,” I say, my voice dropping as I tug Charlotte closer against me, “we’re never going to be boring.”
As if to prove my point, Charlotte takes my hand and, with a quick “Be right back” to the others, tugs me toward the supply room as their collective groans follow us. But the moment the door closes, the sound is drowned out as Charlotte presses me against it, her body flush against mine as she rises on her toes to claim my mouth in a searing kiss. Her fingers tangle in my hair as my hands find her waist, gripping her hips as my cock stiffens. I press my lips to the sensitive spot behind her ear, the one I’ve memorized over countless nights exploring every inch of her.
“God, Charlotte,” I growl as she rolls her hips against mine, creating a delicious friction that has me seeing stars. My hands slide down to cup her ass, pulling her tighter against me as she lets out a soft moan that vibrates through my chest.
Her fingers tug my head down. She scrapes my earlobe with her teeth then soothes the sting with her tongue. “Want you,” she murmurs. “Right now.”
I spin us, pinning her against the shelving unit with my hips. Bags of coffee beans rustle as my hands slide under her shirt, finding bare skin that burns under my touch. She gasps when my thumb brushes the undersides of her breasts through her bra.
“Here?” I murmur, voice rough with need as I slide a thigh between her legs. She grinds down against it, shameless in her desire.
“Our friends will be around later,” she says with that wicked smile that makes me want to tear off her clothes. Her hands drop to my belt, nimble fingers working the buckle.
I capture her mouth again in a kiss that’s all heat and hunger, lifting her so she can wrap her gorgeous legs around my waist. The shelves behind her creak precariously as I press her harder against them, desperate to be closer, to feel more of her.
Her head falls back against a box of coffee filters with a thud when I work my hand between us, cupping her through her jeans and feeling the heat radiating through the denim.
“Jake,” she whimpers, the sound making my already hard cock throb painfully against my zipper. Just as her fingers finally free my belt and start lowering my zipper, I surrender. I crush my lips against hers, pouring my desperation into the kiss. We don't have time to waste.
Charlotte's eyes, dark with desire, meet mine as she pushes my pants down. "Now," she demands.
I spin her around, pressing her against the wall. My hands grip her hips, and I line up at her wet entrance and fill her from behind in a single hard fast thrust. She gasps, her fingers clawing at the wall as I start to move. It's quick and rough, but it's us, raw and real.
"Jake," she moans, pushing back against me, meeting me stroke for stroke. Her body tightens around me, her breath coming in short gasps.
I lean over her, my lips finding her ear. "I love you, Charlotte," I whisper, my voice ragged. "Always."
Her body convulses as she finds her release, crying out my name. I follow her over the edge, my arms wrapping around her, holding her close as I ride out my own climax.
We stay like that for a moment, our bodies pressed together, our hearts pounding in sync. I press a soft kiss to her shoulder, and she turns her head to meet my gaze. Her sated expression confirms her satisfaction, but there's a wicked gleam in her eye as she winks at me. “Even when I bristle when you’re being all protective and heroic?”
“Even then,” I confirm, remembering the words that once would have sparked an argument.
Her laugh fills the small space. “At least, now, I know why.”
The simple words carry the weight of everything we’ve been through, the misunderstandings, the snarky banter, the walls we’ve both had to tear down. Her face transforms, the megawatt smile I adore spreading across her features as we straighten our clothes, both of us stealing glances at each other like teenagers trying not to get caught by their parents. When she looks presentable, she turns toward the door, but I catch her hand.
She rises on her toes to press one more gentle kiss to my lips. "I love you, too, Jake."
I pull her against me, wrapping her in my arms as I draw a shaky breath, the depth of my feelings for this woman something I’m still trying to understand. A moment later, as we slip out of the supply room to the knowing smirks of her coworkers, my hand finds the small of her back. Not to guide her or protect her, but simply because I can’t bear not to touch her. And Charlotte looks up at me, eyes bright with happiness and promise.
***
D ear reader,
Thank you so much for reading Messy Match! I hope you enjoyed Charlotte & Jake's journey to happily ever after!
Looking for more steamy sweet stories set in NYC & Wildwood, Vermont? Check out the Love at White Glove series, starting with My Sexy Holidate , a steamy small town instalove holiday romance.
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