Epilogue

Two days later, we’re back in Boston. Penny runs toward me and I pepper her little face with kisses. Already she’s nearly doubled in size. I give Sasha equal attention, while Braden hangs his suitcoat on the coatrack near the elevator door.

I take a quick look at my phone. Betsy never called me back, so I’ll call her. I owe Kathy Harmon a call and dinner date, too. I have a therapist who is helping me. Tessa and I are great. Braden and I are great. I’ve forgiven my parents and myself, and I’m on a journey toward self-love and acceptance. It will take some time to get over the trauma with the Reardons, but I’ll do it. I have to.

Addison is no longer a threat to either of us. Braden met with Brock Ames and a slew of attorneys this morning, paid back the half million dollars Brock gave him all those years ago, and they drew up a new agreement, nullifying the previous one. The statute of limitations for any allegations Addie could make against Braden has long expired. Now, if she comes near either of us again, we will file charges.

I smile to myself.

Christopher and the others seem to have disappeared, and I head to the kitchen for a drink of water. “You want anything?” I ask Braden.

“No, I’m good. Thanks.”

I grab a glass, fill it with ice and water, and take a long drink. Flying dries me out, even a short flight like New York to Boston. I set the glass on the counter, and—

I gasp.

Braden is in the kitchen, and he cups my face and kisses me long and hard. I melt into him and return his kiss, already throbbing with want. I’ll never get enough of Braden Black.

So I’m disappointed when he breaks the kiss.

“I love you, Skye,” he says, his voice gruff.

“I love you, too.”

Then he does something I don’t expect, especially not from Braden Black.

He drops to one knee.

I gasp.

He pulls a ruby red velvet box out of his pocket, opens it, and hands it to me.

My heart nearly stops. It’s a ring. A diamond ring, and it’s large but not ostentatious. Braden knows me. He knows I wouldn’t want anything over-the-top.

“I didn’t want to do this in New York,” he says. “I wanted to do it here. In our home.”

“Our home?”

“Yes. I want you to move in with me, Skye.”

I clasp my hand to my mouth.

“The diamond choker you wear at the club is yours now,” he says. “It tells the world you’re mine in the dark. But Skye, I want the world to know you’re mine all the time. Everywhere we go.”

“Oh my God, Braden.”

“Will you accept this ring? Will you marry me? Will you be mine. Always?”

I drop to my knees in front of him, cup both his cheeks, and as a tear streams from my eye, I reply.

“Always, Braden. I’ll follow you always.”

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