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I just watched the two bicker back and forth. It was more entertaining than it should have been, but I didn’t mind. To be honest, I was curious about Lexington's response. We were together—there was no denying that—but we still hadn’t necessarily defined anything between us. He had confessed his love for me and fucked me without abandon in his backyard, but I wasn’t sure what to call him.

“So are you two together now?” Oliver asked, one brow raised curiously, but I could see the smile peeking through. “The bickering days are officially over?”

Lexington let out a loud laugh. “You think the two of us will ever stop bickering? At this point, it turns me on.”

Oliver rolled his eyes and turned to leave. “That’s my cue to go and throw up,” he muttered. “Goldie, call me if he needs reining in or another whack on the head.”

I laughed to myself and watched him leave, closing my office door behind him—probably to save the next person wandering in from walking in on another make-out session, or something more. I wouldn't mind something more, if I was being honest…

“Goldie,” Lexington asked, a teasing lilt to his voice. “Why did you blush just now?”

I sighed—of course I did, and of course he noticed. I chose to ignore his question. “What are we?”

He seemed taken aback by my question. “What do you mean?”

I sighed again and leaned back into my chair. It was an embarrassing conversation, but one that needed to be had. I wasn’t in a place to deal with any more unknowns. “Look, I just need to know what we are to each other. I’ve never been in an actual relationship, so maybe this isn’t the way to go about it, but I just need to know: what are we?”

Lexington stared for a moment, then stood up, reached forward, and quite literally picked me up, pulling me across the desk. A startled shriek fell from my lips as I landed on his lap with a thump.

“That’s better,” he muttered, placing his bent forefinger under my chin to urge my gaze to his. “Marigold Taylor, would you be my girlfriend and forgive me for not asking until now?”

“You’re ridiculous, you know that?” I motioned around at the mess of papers that now lay scattered on the floor. “Was this actually necessary?”

He nodded with a smirk. “Oh, absolutely. I couldn’t go one more moment without holding you. You didn’t answer my question, I might add.”

I huffed, but couldn’t stop my smile from peeking through. “Yes, I’ll be your girlfriend.”

He fist-pumped the air, letting out an excited, “Hell yeah!”

I couldn’t contain my laughter for one more minute, letting out a giggle. I would always appreciate Lexington’s unique ability to make me smile and laugh, even with everything going on around me and in my head. I hadn't been ready to say it last night—too scared to say the words aloud during that charged moment—but it was in these moments, in the pure joy that only Lexington could bring me, that I knew without a doubt I was head over heels for this crazy man.

“I love you,” I said quickly, my eyes dancing between his.

He smiled impossibly wide, pulled me back into him, and kissed me with fervency. His tongue swept against mine as he held me tightly in his embrace. After a moment he pulled away, his forehead meeting mine. “I am pretty lovable.”

A surprised laugh escaped me, but it was the perfect answer. I needed his levity as much as he needed my grounding.

My desk phone ringing broke my concentration on him. I went to stand, but Lexington’s arm wrapped around me, holding me in place like a seat belt. He used his free hand to grab the phone for me, answering it and handing it over.

I took it from his grasp with a roll of my eyes. “Fibonacci Files, how can I help you?”

“This is Detective Ransom,” Darren explained over the receiver. “I’m hoping Goldie’s in today. I heard she was coming back to work soon.”

I slumped against Lexington as reality came crashing back. My life wasn’t just about losing myself in work or basking in his love—it was the Watcher, the man who abducted me, Silas’s future, and the nightmares waiting for me in the dark. Still, I was grateful to have forgotten, if only for a fleeting moment.

Raising the phone to my ear, I cleared my throat. “Hey, Darren, it’s me.”

Lexington’s gaze grew angry as he glared. He had been acting as a wall between me and the many police officers who wanted to meet with me. They had questioned me before, but that was before my memories came back. They all wanted to talk to me again, but I didn’t remember anything that would be of use to them.

“Goldie, it’s good to hear your voice,” he exclaimed on a sigh. “I’ve been trying to track you down, but your colleague Lexington—”

“Boyfriend,” Lexington interrupted with a yell, obviously overhearing our conversation.

“Sorry about him,” I said with a laugh. “What were you saying?”

It was quiet for a moment over the phone, and Darren cleared his throat. “I wasn’t aware you two… never mind that. I’m glad to hear you’re doing well,” he explained, and while he sounded disappointed, he also sounded genuinely pleased. Darren really was a good man given a bad hand when assigned this case. “I’m hoping I could interview you again.” Lexington went to grab the phone from me, and I shot him a glare that stopped him in his tracks, though a smirk painted his face. “I know Lexington has said you don’t remember anything additional that can help, but I would still appreciate it, if possible.”

I took a steadying breath before answering. He was right—I didn’t remember anything new, but I also wanted this all to be over. I wanted to feel safe again; I wanted Silas to feel safe. “I can meet with you.”