“I know,” Ryan says. “I did.” He puts the manuscript back in his bag and takes my hand. “I’ve been useless without you, Sullivan. I don’t even remember much of the last six months. And Duke has been impossible to live with. He’s always looking at the door and I know he’s hoping you’ll walk in.” He pauses for only a moment. “I think he’s as in love with you as I am.”

I spare Duke a quick but affectionate glance before I look back at Ryan. “Don’t say that unless you really mean it.”

Ryan grasps my hand tighter. “I do mean it. And you need to get used to hearing it because I’m going to be saying it to you a lot. I’m aiming for every day for the rest of our lives.”

I have to bite the inside of my cheek to keep from smiling. “I’m going to ask you something now, and if there’s going to be any chance of us moving forward, you need to be one hundred percent honest with me.”

“Okay.” He looks nervous and I enjoy it.

“Did you or did you not...name Duke after The Devilish Duke?”

A grin spreads across Ryan’s face. His arms encircle my waist to pull me forward and there’s a finality about it that feels completely right. “Of course I did,” he says.

“I knew it.” He never forgot the book that brought us together. Even after all those years.

I stretch up onto my toes to kiss him just as he leans down and scoops me up into his arms. I shriek in surprise and Duke instantly springs at our feet, his bellowing barks filling the hallway.

“What are you doing?” I ask through my laughter.

“Relax, Sullivan. I’m pulling off a trademark romance novel move.”

I smile wider than I knew was possible and cover my eyes with one hand.

“Is it wrong for me to carry you over the threshold before we get married?”

“As if I’d marry you,” I scoff, bringing my hand down and secretly beaming at the thought.

“Oh, you’re marrying me, Sullivan. There’s no way I’m letting you get away again.”

I loop my arms around Ryan’s neck and pull myself even closer. “Not ever?”

“Never,” he says. And I believe him. I can see our future together so clearly. A wedding, a home, a family—they’re all there. All we have to do is make them real.

I wonder if Ryan is thinking the same thing as he smiles back at me and steps inside the apartment. Unfortunately, Duke also storms in at the same moment, causing Ryan to pivot fast. He avoids stepping on Duke but winds up bumping my head against the wooden doorway.

Sure, it hurts. And I yell. But I’m also laughing as I touch my hand to my head.