Page 73 of The Contract

"That's the cheesiest thing you've ever said."

"Get used to it. I'm a poet now. Cheese comes with the territory."

She laughs and kisses me again, and I think about how far we've come. From enemies to something real. From a thousand-dollar auction to a future we're building together.

It's not the ending I expected when I bid on her that night.

It's better.

"Hey," Isla murmurs against my lips. "Thank you."

"For what?"

"For not giving up. For fighting for this even when I walked away. For proving that you meant it."

"Always. I'll always fight for us."

"I know. That's why I love you."

We stay wrapped up in each other while the party continues around us. Our friends, our weird little chosen family, celebrating the end of one chapter and the beginning of another.

And for the first time in my life, I'm exactly where I'm supposed to be.

With the girl who saw through me.

Who called me out.

Who gave me a chance to be better.

Who taught me that love isn't about being perfect.

It's about choosing each other, every day, without hesitation.

And that's exactly what I intend to do.

For the rest of my life, if she'll let me.