Chloe opened the door and then let out a sound of delight. “You didn’t!”
“I did,” Maxwell said, leaning down to kiss her. “Do you like it? I told you I wanted you to have a proper place for your sewing, and you kept saying you didn’t need it. But I think you do.”
“It’s amazing!” Chloe said, running her hand over not one but two dressmaker’s mannequins, a vintage sewing table full of tiny drawers, the rack that was ready to hold her fabrics. “I couldn’t have designed it more perfectly myself!”
“Well, I did take a look at your Pinterest,” Maxwell admitted. “I hope you don’t mind.”
“How did you know about that?” Chloe demanded, but she was grinning. “I thought my secret Pinterest was secret!”
“Not very, I’m afraid,” Maxwell teased. “I just wanted to be sure you liked it.”
“I love it,” Chloe said. “Are you trying to suggest a career change?”
“Not at all,” Maxwell shook his head. “I mean, I can hardly expect you to give up real estate. Not when it brought us together. And besides, you love it. I just want you to have space and time for everything you love. Work-life balance. That’s trendy these days, isn’t it?”
“You’re amazing,” Chloe said, wrapping her arms around him tightly. “Completely amazing.”
“You deserve this,” Maxwell told her, kissing the top of her head.
“I kind of want to cancel on Julia and start setting up new projects right away,” Chloe confessed, and Maxwell could see her fingers itching to try out the space.
“It will be here when you get home,” he said. “And we’ve got all the time in the world. For everything.”
“Yes,” Chloe said, looking at him with shining eyes. “We do.”
By the time Chloe got back, the very last of Maxwell’s poker players had left. He was glad; he didn’t want to have to scare them off with more public displays of affection, but he very much wanted Chloe all to himself.
“How was Julia?” he asked as Chloe kissed him, ruffling his hair affectionately. “And the kids?”
“Julia’s good,” Chloe said. “But I think she’s lonely. She says she can’t possibly have a boyfriend, because she’s got the kids, but I think she can. I mean, I thought I didn’t have time for a boyfriend.”
“How wrong you were,” Maxwell’s eyes crinkled as he smiled. “But I agree. Julia’s lovely; she deserves someone to make her feel special. Do we know anyone worthy?”
“Worthy of Julia?” Chloe frowned. “Absolutely not. I’ll have to wait for another handsome vampire to come to town.”
“You think that’s likely?”
“I think that kind of good luck only comes once in a lifetime,” Chloe said. “And besides, you’d hate the competition. What if he was good at poker, too?”
“I’m far too handsome to have any competition,” Maxwell smirked.
“I’d love you even if you weren’t,” Chloe said stoutly. “I mean, it’s a very nice bonus that you’re ridiculously good looking, but that’s not why I love you.”
“And I’d love you if you decided not to turn until you were all shrivelled up,” Maxwell said. “With a walker and all.”
Chloe wrinkled her nose. “If I’m going to be immortal, I think I’d rather freeze time while I’m still young and beautiful.”
“You’ll always be beautiful to me, Chloe,” Maxwell said, drawing her close. “So, what’s the plan for tomorrow? More interviews?”
“Just a few house showings in the morning,” Chloe said. “I should be all finished by the time you wake up.”
“And then?” Maxwell prompted.
“And then nothing,” Chloe said. “Work can wait. I want to do a whole lot of nothing with you.”
“And maybe check out your new sewing room?”
Chloe laughed. “Maybe just a little,” she admitted. “After I’ve tired you out, maybe.”
“Oh, is that a challenge?”
“It could be,” Chloe raised her eyebrows, biting her lip. “Think you’re up for it, stud?”
In response, Maxwell picked her up, throwing her over his shoulder. “Challenge accepted.”
With the sound of Chloe’s laughter in his ears, he made his way to his bedroom. Not his bedroom. Their bedroom. Just as it should be.