Noah looks at me like I’ve just told him the sky is made of cheese, blinking down at me dazedly as he processes what I’ve said. “You think you love me?”
I nod, feeling the words rising out of my throat before I can stop them. “I’m not totally sure, because I’ve never loved anybody before. Well, except for my grandparents. And Parker, obviously, but that’s just as a friend. I know it’s probably silly, because it hasn’t been that long, but someone said something to me not long ago, and it got me thinking, and I think there’s a good chance that I—”
He shuts me up with another kiss—he really is getting so good at that—and all the nerves that I’d just been experiencing melt away, my pulse thumping in my ears and under every inch of my skin as actual joy pumps through my blood. I relax with the pressure of his mouth, and he lets his lips linger for several seconds, as if he’s savoring this moment.
And when he breaks away, he’s actually beaming. “I love you,” he tells me. “I don’t care how long it’s been. You’re the only one I’ve ever wanted, and you’re the only one I ever will want. I don’t care if it’s silly or crazy or whatever else—I love you, Mackenzie.”
“Oh, okay,” I answer airily, still processing everything myself. “Is it okay that I’m still only kind of sure that I love you? Because I don’t want to—”
“I will take”—he presses another heavy kiss to my lips—“whatever you have to give. I just want you. However I can have you.”
“I mean,” I say quietly. “I am pretty sure.”
He grins, lowering to let his lips brush against my cheek. “Pretty sure is good enough for me.”
The happiness I’m feeling is scary, but there is also a sweetness to it, a sense of satisfaction, almost like fitting the last piece of a puzzle to see the picture as a whole. I can’t say if it’s fate that I’m feeling, I don’t know if I’ll ever believe in that—but it’s something incredibly close.
We break apart when we hear more footsteps, Noah clearing his throat as a petite brunette clacks down the hallway, looking preoccupied. She stops short when she sees us, her eyes widening and her mouth parting in surprise. “Dr Taylor? Dr. Carter?”
I cock an eyebrow. “Yes?”
“Sorry,” she offers. She points to herself. “I’m Jessica. From Radiology. It’s just, like, so awesome to see you together. You’re the talk of the hospital!”
My eyes widen, realization hitting me.
This is fucking Jessica.
“Yeah, well . . .” I shuffle awkwardly, looping my arm through Noah’s. “It’s been . . . a whirlwind.”
“Wow,” Jessica laughs. “This is just great. I’ve totally been rooting for you guys.”
“Thanks,” I tell her, willing this conversation to end. “Anyway . . .”
“You’ll have to excuse us,” Noah says, saving me. “We’ve got somewhere to be.”
“Oh, right, of course.” Jessica waves us off. “You two go on.” She looks positively ecstatic. “See you around!”
She waves good-bye before continuing on her way, and Noah waits until she’s out of earshot before leaning down toward me. “Why does she look so familiar?”
“Trust me,” I sigh. “You don’t want to know.” I let my hand slide down his arm to grasp his hand as I give it a tug, but he’s still got this scrunched look on his face.
“Jessica,” he mutters.
I arch a brow. “Know her?”
“She congratulated me on our mating the other day.”
“Apparently, we have our very own fan club.”
He narrows his eyes. “Is her mother’s name Regina?”
“I’m . . . not sure? Why?”
Noah mumbles something under his breath, shaking his head. “Doesn’t matter.” He slips his hand into mine. “How do you feel about meeting my mother?”
“Wow, one ‘I love you’ and you’re dying for me to meet the folks.”
“No,” he scoffs. “This is self-preservation. My mother sniffs out gossip like a bloodhound on a trail. If she finds out from the rumor mill before I can tell her . . .”
“How romantic,” I coo. “?‘Meet my mother, Mack, so she doesn’t murder me.’?”
He rolls his eyes. “Might as well get it over with, since you’re going to be around for a very long time.”
“Oh?” My heart squeezes. “A long time, huh?”
“Forever, if I have anything to do with it,” he murmurs, leaning to brush his lips against my temple, and I have to fight not to become a puddle.
Fuck “pretty sure.” I love this guy.
My face splits into a wide grin. I’ll tell him later.
“Come on,” I urge, tugging at his hand. “If we wait outside the entrance, maybe we’ll get to see them escorting Dennis off the premises.”
Noah chuffs out a laugh, shaking his head. “You’re sort of terrifying, do you know that?”
“Maybe,” I answer as I pull him along. I look back to give him a wink. “I guess I’m braver with my alpha around.”
The look on his face says that I will most definitely be feeling the repercussions of that phrase later, in either his bed or mine, but that’s hardly bad news. I smile as Noah follows after me, unable to stop as the gravity of all that’s happened washes over me, marveling at how much of my life has changed in such a short time.
Because Noah Taylor might not be my fake mate, not anymore—but he is mine.
And that’s absolutely enough.
Epilogue
Noah
“Stop fidgeting,” I tell her, grabbing her hand that had just been worrying about her hair.
“What if this is a disaster?”
I can’t help but chuckle. “It’s going to be fine.”
“It hasn’t been long enough since I met your mother, and we’re going to spring my gran on her? She hasn’t even had enough time to make sure she approves of me yet.”
“Approves?” I bark out a laugh. “My parents aren’t aristocracy. Trust me, they’re just thrilled that you exist.”
“Gee, real low expectations there,” she snorts.
I reach across the car to curl my fingers around hers, bringing them to my mouth to kiss her knuckles. It’s been months since we disclosed to the hospital—for real this time—and it only took one meeting (that took place approximately three days after disclosing our relationship; truly, my mother and Mackenzie’s gran were sisters in another life) for my mother to fall completely in love with Mackenzie, not that I ever had any doubts. It’s impossible not to. Honestly, she probably loves her more than she does me. Which is also completely understandable.
“I have to admit I am looking forward to seeing your gran and my mother in the same room,” I muse.
Mackenzie grimaces. “Is it going to be awful? What possessed us to agree to this blended family bullshit?”
“It’s a special occasion,” I remind her. “We might as well just get it over with. Like ripping off a Band-Aid.”
“That’s easy for you to say,” she grumbles. “You’re not the one in the hot seat. My gran grills me enough as it is. I bet her and your mother gang up on me. We’re going to have to spend the entire night dodging baby talk.”
I can’t pretend the idea of it doesn’t make my stomach swoop, but there’s plenty of time for that later.