I’m in love with Barrett, I’m making strides at work to become an assistant editor and we have a dog, who if we’re not careful my dad might try to dognap. And to top it all off, today’s WordIt was HAPPY. With SCM’s ownership of WordIt coming to light, I realize that might have been arranged by Barrett but the feeling is the same. We’re happy, and that’s all that matters.

Epilogue

FOUR MONTHS LATER

CHLOE

Snow falls in big flakes around me and a sweater-clad Baxter as we walk down the street. Barrett had questioned the sweater I put on him this morning, but now I’m glad he’s got protection from the elements. Baxter knows when we’re close to home, because he’s familiar with our route, but it could also be because it’s currently lit up like the Empire State Building.

The vision I’d had for decorating Barrett’s—ours now—brownstone windows with lit up wreaths for the holidays has been executed. We spent the weekend before Thanksgiving hanging them. Barrett didn’t understand why we couldn’t hire someone to do it and I had to explain to him that it was half the fun to do it yourself. He finally got into the spirit and I rewarded him with a stellar blow job, our newly lit Christmas tree twinkling in the background.

The large main floor window contains the nine-foot Douglas Fir covered in enough lights to be a fire hazard. It looks perfectly magical.

I should be used to the sight by now, the Christmas decorations have been up since before Thanksgiving. Since the weekend before we flew back to Colorado to celebrate the holiday with my family. My parents had met Barrett at Lauren’s wedding, and they’ve been a fan of his since the beginning, but it was fun to see him with my siblings. I think not taking work and himself so seriously has given him the capacity to open up to people more easily. He fit right in with my family. Helping my mom prepare dinner. Throwing a football around with my brothers and dad while I ogled him from the sidelines. Talking with Lila about the business classes she’s taking this semester. She seemed to care less about Barrett’s take on business strategy and ethics than she did having his attention on her. When he wasn’t looking, she started fanning herself.

Inside, I hang up the garment bag in my hands, then my coat. After Baxter shakes the dusting of snow off himself, I take off his damp sweater and hang it up, too.