Page 75 of Pucking Only

Unable to hold back a second longer, I pull her in and kiss the fuck out of her. Our lips move together and our tongues meet, tangling as we cling to each other. She wraps her arms around me and presses her body tight to mine. It takes all my willpower to pull back when I remember we’re on the sidewalk in front of her workplace, surrounded by strangers passing us by.

"So what do we do now?" I ask, smiling, my heart pumping so hard in my chest that it might burst, but I’m totally okay with that. "I forgot to buy a return ticket. I didn't plan beyond this moment, if I’m being honest. I know your job is important to you, so we’ll have to do long-distance, but I don’t care. I’ll do whatever I have to so we can make this work… "

"Maybe buy two tickets." Skyler says with a grin and a shrug. "I quit my job. I’m done with that place. I want to move to Denver, to be with you and Grace, and to finally pursue my dreams on my own terms.”

Her words hit me like a wave, and I’m overwhelmed with this rush of emotions I can’t even begin to untangle. All I know is that I’m feeling this insane, all-consuming joy. She’s here. She loves me, and she’s choosing to be with me. I don’t even hesitate. I pull her into my arms, so tight that I can feel her heartbeat against my chest, and we both just start laughing, the sound bubbling up between us like we can’t contain it.It’s pure relief, joy, and everything else I’ve been holding back for years.

“I can’t believe this,” I say, my voice a little shaky as I lean back to look at her. “You quit? I’m so fucking proud of you! You’re really going to move to Denver?”

She nods, her smile widening, and she looks so beautiful and happy, that it makes my chest ache. “Yeah, I am. I realized I don’t need to stay there, Carson. I don’t need that job, and I don’t need to prove anything to anyone but myself. I want to be with you, and I want to do what I love, the way I want to do it. In fact, Zander had an opportunity that I initially passed up. His cousin works at this amazing indie game company in Denver and they’re looking for someone to join their team. I might still have a chance at an interview if I give them a call.”

Grinning, I tilt her chin up, capturing her lips in a kiss that’s both desperate and full of promise. Her hands grip the back of my shirt, pulling me closer, and I pour everything I’m feeling into that kiss. The fear of losing her again, the relief that she’s here, the love that’s been building up inside me for so damn long.

When we finally pull back, we’re both breathless and grinning like idiots.

“You don’t know how happy this makes me,” I say, my forehead resting against hers. “I honestly didn’t think this would happen. That we’d get this chance. Now that we have it, I’m not letting you go, Star. Not ever.”

“Good,” she whispers, her fingers tracing patterns on the back of my neck. “Because I’m not going anywhere.”

That’s when it hits me. This is it. This is the moment everything changes. She’s moving to Denver, she’s choosing us, and I’m ready to do whatever it takes to make this work.

I laugh, pulling her close again, and kiss her forehead. “Grace is going to be over the moon when she hears this.”

Skyler’s eyes light up at the mention of Grace, and she nods. “I can’t wait to tell her!”

The weight that’s been sitting on my chest for so long finally lifts. I don’t know what the future holds, but with Skyler by my side, I’m ready to face whatever comes our way. As we stand there on the sidewalk, holding each other and making out like we’re afraid to let go, I tell myself I don’t have to be afraid of that. Not anymore. I’ve got the woman I love in my arms. I’m not going to let myself or anything else come between us ever again.

EPILOGUE

SKYLER

THREE MONTHS LATER

“Babe?Are you ready? They’re going to be here any minute!”

Shaking my head in exasperation, I poke my head out of the bathroom and shout down the hall to Carson in response, “I’m almost ready! Just open the wine. I’ll be out in two minutes.”

“Sure you will,” he calls back from the kitchen. “See you in 20.”

I roll my eyes but grin as I return my gaze to the mirror over the bathroom sink and work my freshly washed and dried hair back into a ponytail. I just got home from work 30 minutes ago and took a quick shower before Grace, Jensen, and Stacey arrive.

It’s been three months since I moved to Denver and started living with Carson. Honestly, I’m still getting used to how good everything feels. Living with Carson has been surprisingly easy. We’ve fallen into this rhythm that I didn’t expect, like we’ve always been meant to share a space. He’s patient in ways I didn’t think he’d be, and we’ve found a balance betweenwork and us that feels right. There are still moments where I catch myself waiting for the other shoe to drop, but it never does. Instead, I’m left feeling fulfilled and, truly, very happy.

And then there’s the job.

I grin at my reflection, thinking about how everything fell into place with Lumina Interactive. Zander’s cousin — bless her — made that connection for me, and now I’m working at a company I’ve admired for years. It’s surreal. Lumina is everything I imagined it would be: creative, forward-thinking, and filled with people who actuallycareabout the work I do. Every day, I wake up excited to dive into whatever project I’m working on. I feel empowered, like I’m finally able to use my voice in ways I never could at Code Kickers.

Thinking about a meeting I was just in today, I can hardly believe how satisfying it was to be with the other women on the design team, brainstorming ideas for a new character arc. They actually listen to me there, encourage my ideas, and I’ve never felt more seen. I get to build something real, something that reflects the values I’ve always wanted to bring into my work. It’s fulfilling in ways I didn’t think possible, and I owe both Zander and his cousin a thank you gift, or maybe 10.

I step out of the bathroom, wiping my hands on a towel and head into the bedroom to finish getting dressed. As I pull on a sweater, I hear the faint sound of Carson moving around in the kitchen, probably setting up snacks for when everyone gets here. The simple domesticity of it makes my heart swell a little. I’mhappy. It’s weird to even say it out loud, but it’s true. I’m fulfilled, empowered, and happy in a way I haven’t been in years.

I pull on my jeans and smooth the fabric down, catching one last look at myself in the mirror before heading out. As I make my way into the living room, Carson looks up, flashing me that familiar grin that always makes my heart skip.

"Almost ready?" he asks, nodding toward the door. “Grace just texted — they’re on their way.”

“Yep,” I say. “Ready. And see? It didn’t take me long at all.”

He chuckles. “You’re right. 10 minutes instead of 20.”