The Dating Experiment (The Experiment, #2)(57)

She was mine, and she knew it.

And my God, we were going to make this work.

No matter what.





Epilogue – Chloe


It was crazy how fast things changed.

Like milk going bad, or flowers dying, or panties getting ripped in the “wash.”

Dom could claim it was the machine, but I clearly heard a rip.

And he still owed me ice-cream.

One Year Later



“Why would you put the sofa there? You can’t see the TV properly.”

I put my hands on my hips and stared at Dom. “Well, where should it go?”

He pointed with a handful of popcorn. “Under the window.”

“We don’t have blinds yet, and that’s where the sun will come in. Have you considered that we might not be able to see anything?”

“Move the TV, then.”

“We can’t. That’s the only spot it can go.”

He sighed, shoving his handful of popcorn into his mouth. “I don’t know what to tell you, Chlo.”

“You can put the popcorn down and help me move this stuff, for a start.” I waved a hand at the boxes that were piled on top of the coffee table.

“But what about the sofa?”

“We’ll buy a new sofa!” I ran my fingers through my hair. “God, this is old anyway.”

“I told you we should have brought my sofa.”

“You’re so lucky the kitchen knives are packed!” I growled at him.

He grinned. “Living together is going to be so fun.”

“Hmm.” I picked up a box and put it on the floor, then grabbed another. “Why is a bathroom box in here?”

“I don’t know. Ask Elliott. He’s the one who put the boxes there.”

“Why? Because you keep eating?”

“I have to eat the popcorn before Peyton gets it.”

I sighed. “We did this last week. You know she’s craving popcorn, and if she gets here and there’s none left, I’m letting you take the full blame for it. You can take those pregnancy hormones by yourself, buddy.”

He stilled, hand in the bag. “You know what? After how she burst into tears when Jake ate a handful of hers, I think I’ll save her this.”

“Yeah. Good idea.” I rolled my eyes. “Can you help me now?”

He gave me an overexaggerated sigh and lifted up the bathroom box. “Is this for our bathroom or the main one?”

“I don’t know.” I shrugged. “You’ll have to look inside.”

“Why didn’t you mark it?”

“Because it’s your handwriting on the box.” I grinned. “This one’s on you, Dom.”

“Fuck it.”

A tiny gasp came from the doorway. “Uncle Dom saided a bad word!”

His eyes widened, and he turned to Briony. “Sssh. You can’t tell anyone that!”

“She doesn’t need to. I heard it,” Peyton said in a dry tone, coming up behind her and smoothing her hair. “Dom…”

“I didn’t know she was there,” he said quickly. “I didn’t hear you come in.”

“That’s because you didn’t close the front door.” She shimmied past Briony. “Daddy has your tablet,” she said to her.

She quickly ran off to where Elliott was presumably unloading a handful of boxes from the back of the truck.

“How are you feeling?” I asked Peyton.

“Great,” she said with a giant, fake smile. “I threw up my breakfast and can’t fit in my pants anymore. I’m supposed to be past the vomit stage!”

“I’ll put this in the main bathroom for now,” Dom said, lugging the box out of the room.

I rolled my eyes. “He’s an ass. If it helps, I stopped him eating all the popcorn for you.”

She cast her glance toward the sofa where he’d left the bag. “Bet he only left a little.”

Elliott came in with a box in hand, followed by Jake. “This is the last of the kitchen stuff.”

“Ugh, thank you. Are the knives in there?” I asked.

“I can tell moving day is going well,” Jake said dryly. “This is the showery-stuff for Mellie’s bride party or whatever it is. Where do you want this?”

“Ummm.” Shit. I’d forgotten I’d had all that in my spare room. “Can you put it in the garage for now? All the boxes are clearly marked, so…”

“All the boxes? How much stuff do you need for a party? Isn’t the wedding enough?”

“Well, there are balloons, and plates, and centerpieces, and presents,” I started.

“And games, and bachelorette things, and more gifts, and banners,” Peyton continued.

“I heard presents.” Mellie bounced into the room, almost pushing Jake out of the way. Her eyes immediately zoned in on the Sharpie-scribbled “Mellie’s Bridal Shower” on the side of the box. “Oooh! Are my presents in there?”

“Quick, run!” Peyton yelled around a mouthful of popcorn.

Jake turned and ran through the hall, swerving in just enough time to avoid Briony. Who had no chance of seeing a tall, muscular man coming toward her because she was too engrossed in YouTube.