The Good Luck Charm
Page 26
Epilogue
Trades
Lilah
Merk’s ears perk up and he gives his customary single-bark greeting, alerting me to Ethan’s arrival.
I sit up in a rush, dropping my book on the wet patio, not caring that I’ve lost my place or that the pages will be wavy with water damage. I wasn’t actually focused on anything I was reading. Ethan is finally home from an all-day meeting with his agent to talk trades. Until forty minutes ago, I was at work. I didn’t call or text for information. I want to be face-to-face with him when I find out what next season is going to look like for him, for us.
He smiles and takes off his sunglasses. “Anxious, baby?”
“Immensely.”
He straddles the lounge chair I’m half sitting in, slips his hands under my knees, and adjusts my legs to drape over his so we’re facing each other.
I slap his left hand when it slides up too high on my thigh.
“Ethan! Do not play this game with me. Tell me what the trade options are.”
“We have three.”
We. Not he. We. This has been the mantra in my head all day. Whatever happens, wherever he goes, I go, too. If we have to start over, we do it together.
I take a deep breath. “Okay. Give ’em to me.”
“Edmonton offered six million for one year.”
“Canada?” I like maple syrup, so I guess that could work for a year, but it means I’ll have to either postpone my master’s or look into programs out there, which is a little unfortunate considering I just received my acceptance letter to Minnesota last week. I have no idea if my nursing degree is accepted in Canada. It’s something we’ll figure out if that’s where we end up. Or I wait one more year. Either way, doable.
He gives me a cheeky grin. “It’s a nice place. The people are friendly up there.”
“Isn’t it a lot colder than here?” Minnesota winters are cold, but I’m pretty sure they don’t need freezers up there from November to April.
“Cold means lots of cuddling, and that’s only option one.”
“Okay, I like cuddling. What’s option two?”
“Nashville offered four million a year for three years.”
I try to temper my sigh of relief. That should take Edmonton out of the running. Nashville might be far away from Minnesota, but at least my eyelashes won’t get frostbite.
“What’s the third offer?”
“Three million a year.”
“Where and for how long?”
“Five years, and right here.” He tilts his head to the side, waiting for my reaction.
I want to scream my excitement. I want to hug him and celebrate, but there are things he has to consider, and I don’t want to push the decision one way or another.
I play it cool, but I’m sure the tremor in my voice is telling. “What does your agent say?”
“He says it’s up to me to make a decision.”
“Based on?” I prompt.
“What’s best for me.”
“And what do you think is best for you?” I run my fingers up and down the length of his.
“You.”
I glance up, expecting a smile, but he’s completely serious. “You can’t ask me to make the decision for you, Ethan. I can’t do that.”
He flips his hands over, lacing our fingers together. “I wouldn’t ask you to do that.”
“And you can’t make a decision based on me. We’ve already been through that. It’s not realistic.”
“I know that.”
“So you need to make the choice that’s going to benefit—”
He cuts me off with a kiss.
As soon as he pulls back, I attempt to finish the sentence: “—your career the—”
His tongue is in my mouth again. I don’t fight, and this kiss lasts a lot longer—long enough that he untwines our hands, and his fingers start migrating up the outside of my thighs, and I end up straddling his lap.
“Do you know what benefits my career the most?” Ethan kisses a path down my throat, fingertips skimming along the edge of my bikini top.
“Don’t say me.”
“Fine. I want to stay here because it’s home. You have a life here and people you love and a career path all laid out. I won’t disrupt that when you’ve worked so hard for it, and I refuse to leave you again. So we stay here because that’s what’s best for us. We both know my career is temporary and you’re not. You’re forever and I’m not going to put that at risk ever again.”
“But what if you went to Edmonton and next year they sign you for five years at five million a year?” I’m playing devil’s advocate, not because I want him to change his mind, but because I want him to be sure this decision is the right one and that he’s not making it for the wrong reasons. Namely, me.
Ethan runs his fingertip from the bridge of my nose to the tip.
“Hypotheticals don’t matter. I want you, Delilah Jane. I want what we have right here. I won’t give that up, or my team, or my family. I’m willing to sacrifice a few million dollars over the next few years in order to secure that.”
“So you want to stay in Minnesota, even though they’re offering you the least money?”
“Per year. Contract-wise, it’s the best deal. Besides, I’m not worried about the money. Three million dollars a year is more than enough to survive off of for the rest of our lives if we’re not stupid about it.”
“So you don’t want to be greedy?”
“About money? No. About you, definitely. I spent eight years without you, and I had no idea what I was missing until I finally got you back.”
“I don’t want you to make the wrong choice.”
“I’m not. Staying here is the right decision. I do have two important requests, though.”
“What kind of requests?”
“Ones you need to hear out before you say no.”
He looks serious again and a little nervous. “That’s a good way to put me on the defensive.”
“Just listen before you react.”
“I’m listening.”
“I think you should take a year off work—”
“There’s no way—”
He puts a finger to my lips. “I said listen, please, Lilah.” He waits to make sure I’m going to follow his instructions. I do, but I’m sure I look unimpressed.
“I know you love your job, but even part-time it’s going to be a lot to juggle with taking a master’s course. Just take the year. I’m sure Fairview will want you back when you’re finished. Then you’ll be right where you want with your career without anything to get in the way of the goal.”
“I can’t afford to take the year off. I have a mortgage to pay.” Even as I say it, I know it’s a ridiculous excuse.
Ethan arches a brow. “Which brings me to my next request. I know your independence is important to you, and I love that about you, but I’d like you to officially move in with me. You’re already sleeping here most nights of the week anyway. The off-season is short. These are the only months we have together uninterrupted by constant travel. Financially it doesn’t make sense for you to pay a mortgage for a house you barely live in, especially when this is where you belong.” He holds on to my hip, smile growing devious. “Right here, in my lap, every single day.”
“That would make for awkward family get-togethers.”
He ignores my joke. “Move in. Take the time off work so you can have the career you want without sacrificing every other part of your life if you don’t have to. Selfishly, I’m referring mostly to myself. You’re essential to my survival. You’re as important as the air I breathe. You soothe my soul and keep my heart full—you always have. Just be here with me. We’ve spent enough time apart.”
He’s right. And more than that, we’re ready for this. “Okay. I’ll move in.”
“And take a year off to focus on your master’s.”
“I’ll start the paperwork for that.” I trace the contour of his jaw with gentle fingertips. “I love y
ou.”
“Just like I love you.”
I grin. “So we stay.”
My favorite smile appears, and I get a little lost in the blue sea and amber sunrise shadowing his right eye. “So we stay.” He kisses me softly. “This time we only move forward together.”
About the Author
New York Times and USA Today best-selling author Helena Hunting lives outside of Toronto with her amazing family and her two awesome cats, who think the best place to sleep is her keyboard. She writes all things romance—contemporary, romantic comedy, sports, and angsty new adult. Helena loves to bake cupcakes, has been known to listen to a song on repeat 1,512 times while writing a book, and if she has to be away from her family, she prefers to be in warm weather with her friends.
RAVE REVIEWS FOR
HELENA HUNTING
“A unique, deliciously hot, endearingly sweet, laugh-out-loud, fantastically good-time romance!…I loved every single page!!”
—Emma Chase, New York Times
bestselling author, on Pucked
“Fun, sexy, and full of heart, Shacking Up is a laugh-out-loud love story with explosive chemistry and lovable characters. Helena Hunting has done it again!”
—Melanie Harlow, USA Today bestselling author
“The perfect combination of sexy, sweet, and hilarious. A feel-good beach read you won’t want to miss!”
—K. Bromberg, New York Times
bestselling author, on Shacking Up
“Sexy. Funny. Emotional. Steamy and tender and so much more than just a book. Hooking Up reminds me why I love reading romance.”
—L. J. Shen, USA Today bestselling author
“Characters that will touch your heart and a romance that will leave you breathless.”
—Tara Sue Me, New York Times
bestselling author, on Clipped Wings
Thank you for buying this ebook, published by Hachette Digital.
To receive special offers, bonus content, and news about our latest ebooks and apps, sign up for our newsletters.
Sign Up
Or visit us at hachettebookgroup.com/newsletters