Epilogue
EMMA
It’s been a few months since the incident with Jeremy, and so much has happened.
My parents were initially shocked to learn that I’d had a stalker for over a year and had never told them.
When they came to the hospital after the kidnapping, I’d told them that I was dehydrated and exhausted from the show and the end of the semester.
I was scared to tell them everything initially, and I didn’t want my mom to worry after everything I’d been through with my biological dad.
My mom is a huge believer in love and was thankful that John was in my life and was there to save me from Jeremy.
Since I’d previously told her his name was Don, I had to explain that it was a nickname I’d given him.
It took a little longer for my stepdad to come around.
While he was initially grateful for what John did for me, he had a lot of concerns about my relationship with John since he’s thirteen years older than me and my professor.
The way my sister Ella lost her mind on Dad about that was comical. She argued that it was sexist that Ethan could date someone sixteen years older than him, so I should be able to too.
Telling Ethan was nerve-wracking as well.
He’s always been like another father to me.
I didn’t want to disappoint him. There might have been a few angels whispering in his ears, because he didn’t seem shocked when I told him.
He just nodded his head and pulled me into a hug asking me if I was happy.
I’m pretty sure I have Bridget and Alyx to thank for that.
John and I spent the summer together at his house in Columbus, sharing the space with his wife and her family.
There was plenty of room for all of us, and we all agreed that we wanted to give Maryam the best path toward citizenship.
John and I had already been pretty discreet on campus, so a few more months wasn’t going to break me.
And when we wanted time to ourselves, the private room at the club was our safe haven.
The fall semester started a few weeks ago, and since I’ve spent the last few summers taking classes, I’m on track to graduate in December.
I’m applying to a few programs for graduate school, but I’m hoping to get into a state school in Columbus.
It’s a two-year program, and it’s close enough to Faith Union that the commute wouldn’t be too terrible for either of us.
Tonight, though, we are at Alyx’s moms’ restaurant, Mangia Bene. Since my brother Ethan and Alyx are both chefs here and Alyx’s family owns the restaurant, they’ve closed it down for our private event.
When I look around the table, I can’t help but smile at the chaotic scene.
It might be weird that we’ve all gathered at Mangia Bene to celebrate John and Maryam’s divorce, but I think it’s rather fitting.
Maryam’s green card was approved two months ago, and we kept planning a group dinner to celebrate, but between all of our schedules, none of us have been able to find time until now, the day after the divorce was final.
My mom is talking to Ethan, and my stepdad is out on a work call, like usual.
It’s probably for the best, though, because if he caught the way Ella keeps checking out Alyx, he definitely wouldn’t be happy.
I know she’s had a crush on him since we were all kids, but she’s never admitted it to me.
I’m convinced it’s why she bickers with him so much.
All throughout dinner, she vacillates between a scowl and eyeing him up and down, paying particular interest every time he pushes a sleeve up revealing his forearm tattoos.
Maryam, Sam, and her son are snuggled in the corner completely absorbed in conversation.
Ella is sitting next to Alyx, currently giving him a death glare, but Alyx is completely oblivious as he talks animatedly to Bennett.
The two of them laugh when Robert leans into Bennett, kissing the side of his head three times before he excuses himself from the table.
“I’m going to call Miles and check on the girls, I’ll be right back,” Robert says as he pulls out his phone and steps outside.
“Is it normal to be this attracted to your husband’s butt after years and years of marriage?” Becka asks, leaning into me as she watches Robert walk outside.
I giggle, taking a sip of my water as she bounces her attention between me and Bridget. “This is nice. I wish us girls could all hang out together more often. Ooh, I know! We should all go to book club together,” Becka says as she claps her hands excitedly. “I’ve always wanted a girl gang.”
“Can I get in on that?” Ella asks, snapping her attention away from Alyx.
“Absolutely!” Becka says.
“How did I get roped into this?” Bridget complains.
“Because we’ll tell our brother you were being mean to his little sisters if you don’t,” Ella says with a devious smirk.
“And that’s why you’re my favorite sister. I always forget how crafty you are.” Bridget laughs.
“Hey!” I object.
Bridget holds her hands up in the air. “I’m kidding. Kinda.”
“If you’re all serious, there’s a book club meeting this Sunday. It’s at The Spicy Shelf.” Becka says the last part to Ella since Bridget and I have attended book club with her in the past.
Ella turns to me. “Could we hang out after? I need some advice.” She’s quiet, unlike her normal boisterous self.
“Everything okay?”
“It is, I promise.”
There’s laughter down the table as Alyx and Bennett pull our focus. Her eyes are fixed on Alyx, a look of frustration and longing on her face.
“Does it have something to do with you still harboring a secret crush on Alyx?” I ask.
Her head whips to mine as anger flashes in her eyes. “It absolutely does not,” she grits through her clenched teeth as she fakes a smile. “I can promise you that.”
I raise my eyebrows in concern, and she offers me a small smile, her way of telling me that we’ll talk later.
A hand grips my thigh under the table, and I look over at John. His gaze swivels to meet mine, and he puts his hand on the back of my neck, pulling me into him as he kisses my cheek. With his face still close to mine, he whispers into my ear.
“I forgot to tell you the best part of the divorce. Maryam got the house.”
I pull back in confusion, searching his face for what he’s not telling me.
“The movers are coming next week to pack up my stuff.”
“Are you going back to the place you were renting near campus?”
“Nope.” There’s a cocky grin on his face.
“Then where are you going? Because I’m not sure all your stuff will fit in your room at Pulse.”
“There’s a place I want to show you. It’s halfway between Faith Union and the city. The drive wouldn’t be bad for either of us once you get into grad school. If you like it, I’ll put in an offer. If you don’t like it, my realtor has a list of other properties we can check out.”
My mouth drops open in shock as heat creeps into my cheeks.
“What do you say, pet? Will you move in with me?”
I nod my head quickly as a grin lights up his face. When this man smiles, my panties instantly dampen every freaking time. And he knows it.
“You want to buy me a house?”
“I do.” He presses a kiss to my lips.
“Did you tell her?” Maryam leans over, pulling us out of our bubble.
“Just did,” John says, beaming from ear to ear.
Maryam reaches across the table and grabs my hand, squeezing it in hers. “Sam and I cannot thank you enough for what you did for us.” She shifts her eyes to mine. “Both of you.”
I squeeze her hand in reply, looking at John, whose eyes are still on me. When I think about the things he’s accomplished, what he’s sacrificed, the good he’s done, I smile back at him, so thankful for him and all his broken rules.
The End.