Epilogue

"That was the third strike, and with only two balls, Smith is out. And since it was the third out, the teams are now switching their defense-offense positions …"

Luke stared at her with his mouth open, and immediately loved the woman next to him still more. "Holy shit, that was absolutely correct."

"Ha!" She shook a triumphant fist and then threw herself into his arms, causing him to fall backwards against the backrest of his couch. "I'm getting so good!"

He chuckled and let his hand run down her back slowly. "You're the best …"

She grinned. "Whoa, whoa, Mr. Carter, are you trying to get me into your bed?"

Yes, he was. Yes, he had. Yes, he would. "I'm not that kind of guy anymore. I have a one-track mind now. If I get a woman into my bed … it's forever."

She sighed and shook her head. "Forever is a long time, Mr. Wichtig."

He smiled. "Forever is the just the right time."

"Jesus, could you please stop babbling? We want to see the game!"

Emma started to laugh and wiggled free of Luke's embrace. "Dexter, jealousy doesn't become you at all. Just because I love Luke …"

"Carter, get your woman under control!"

"Do you want me to break your nose again for you, Jake?" Luke asked with a smile, before pulling Emma closer again. "Or better yet: I'm letting Emma play pool against you."

"Oh yes, may I?" she asked, batting her lashes.

He chuckled – and then laughed out loud when he noticed Jake's expression, which he was trying to hide behind his bottle of beer.

"Let him keep his manhood for tonight, honey," Luke murmured, but loud enough for everyone to hear.

"Guys, shut up! Game!" Dexter sighed and pointed at the TV.

"I should find a girlfriend for Dexter, don't you think?" Emma smiled.

"No, you shouldn't," the man in question growled promptly.

"I think you should," Luke agreed with her, and kissed the top of her head.

"Hey, why don't you want to find a girlfriend for me?" Jake complained loudly.

"Because you're still a baby," Emma stated. "How old are you? Twenty-two? Dex will be thirty soon. He needs a wife."

"What I need is another beer," Dexter mumbled and rose from the couch to go get one from the fridge.

Luke and Emma turned their heads at the same time.

"I'm going to find him a woman," Emma murmured softly. "Are you going to help me? You can annoy him as much as you like with it."

Luke's grin widened even more.

Yes, he had found exactly the right woman for himself.