Epilogue

I don’t think I’ve ever been to a party this fancy.” Emma tugged the neckline of her dress up a bit. “And definitely not in anything this low-cut.”

“You look gorgeous. Stop hiding it.” Ian dropped a kiss on her hair. He looked fabulous, as always, wearing a tailored suit that she couldn’t wait to get him out of later. “This is to honor you. Revel in the attention.”

The Best of Boston gala had a reputation for extravagance, and this year’s was no exception. Emma felt dizzy from camera flashes after posing for dozens of photos with the other winners, and now she was admiring one of the seven (seven!) ice sculptures arrayed around the room.

Ian snagged two glasses of champagne from the tray of a passing waiter and handed one to her. “How are you feeling?”

“Good! Good. Better.” Emma licked her lips and drank some of the champagne. “I keep expecting to feel out of place, but I don’t. It’s the strangest thing, but I actually feel like I belong here.”

Ian pushed his glasses up the bridge of his nose and smirked, leaning low to whisper into her ear, “Now, don’t get too cocky. The last time you were wearing this dress, I was getting ready to tie you to a table.”

Emma shoved at his chest with her free hand, laughing and blushing in equal measures. “Stop it. You said you’d behave.”

“You hate it when I behave.”

Emma smiled, enjoying the teasing. She marveled at how much could change in such a short period of time. Now, instead of uncertainty about her friendships, her self-worth, her future, uncertainty about Ian, she felt a calm confidence. In the last two weeks, they’d been testing this relationship, trying out the ways it fit for both of them.

And they were finding that it fit quite well.

“What are you thinking about?” Ian reached out to tuck a curl of her hair back behind her ear.

“I was thinking that I love you.” The words came easily to her lips, and he smiled and leaned down to kiss them.

“I love you, too.”

As he turned, Emma spotted a familiar head of curly hair behind his shoulder. “How did they get in here?”

“Who?” Ian turned.

Emma grinned. With Alina’s skill at networking, of course they’d find a way to get tickets to a private gala. She took Ian by the hand. “Come on. I want you to meet some friends of mine.”