Page 124 of Save Me

They slide the keys across the table, and I snatch them up. I turn to place a big kiss on Maddox’s lips, then I stop myself. We’re homeowners, baby!!

I’m rewarded with a smile from Maddox. A real smile. A happy smile.

As we get outside, let me rephrase that: as soon as I pull him outside, he’s laughing.

“Can I kiss you?” I ask breathlessly.

Maddox stiffens, then he pulls me into him and presses a kiss to my lips.

Fudge, this feels so good!

Maddox shakes his head, but I see his smile as he climbs into his car. He drives out first, and I follow until I realize he’s driving slowly just to be a turd. I honk and catch his grin in the rear view, then he flashes me the finger.

A wash of relief hits me, and suddenly I want to cry. He’s being a turd because he feels safe with me. He knows I won’t hurt him.

A few tears well up and spill over.

Maddox feels safe. He saved himself while I waited with open arms.

Since feelings are a group project whenever Princess is around, I reach over to pet him. He’s snuffling in the crack of the seat for crumbles. He flicks his tail at me, as if emotions are beneath him, then crunches on something.

And then we’re home.

Home. Safe and sound.

The tears are welling up again, so I grab a struggling Princess up in my arms. “We’re home, buddy.”

If Princess could cuss me out, he totally would be right now. I scan Maddox’s car for him. I see Minky first, bouncing around and trying to nip at Maddox’s hands. As soon as Minky spots Princess and me, he comes bounding over, his big ears flopping, his mouth open.

Then Maddox is there, turning to face me. “You drive like a maniac.”

I grin, and Maddox is stifling his own grin, those freaking dimples popping out and making my knees weak.

“And you drive like a grandpa. You put on your granny panties today?”

“Granny panties?” He crosses his arms, smiling. “Maybe I want to make it home safe.”

Home.

There are those tears again. Wherever Maddox is is home, and I couldn’t be more grateful that he drives like a grandpa.

We walk up to the front door together, accompanied by Minky, who does his best to weave between our feet as we walk, and Princess, who has now resorted to actually cussing me out in a chorus of: “Meep, meep, MEEP.”

With a shaking hand, I shove the key into the lock. The door swings open, and we’re hit with the natural light and old house smell.

Suddenly, I realize something. I turn to Maddox and hand over Princess. “Hold him.”

Maddox looks confused, but I’m shoving the blue and black ball of fluff into his arms. As soon as he’s secured, I say, “Welcome home, my little M&M.” Then I lean down to grab under Maddox's knees.

For a second, Maddox lets me, until I hoist him into the air and turn to the door.

“Hey!” He wiggles, and his weight puts me off balance, and I’m forced to let him down so I don’t drop him and Princess.

Maddox fixes me with a glare. “That’s my job.”

With a flash of movement, the fluffy terrorist is in my arms, and then I’m in Maddox’s arms, bridal style, and he steps over the threshold of the house. Once inside, he plants a kiss on my lips. “Welcome home.”

CHAPTER SIXTY-FOUR