Epilogue
Act III, Scene IX: Padua Heights, Finsbury Park
Four Months Later
T itan and I moved around the kitchen in my house with the ease and comfort of two people who’d spent every single day together since Ted and Savi’s wedding.
Since then, we’d split our time between his place and mine, and fallen into an easy rhythm. Not much different to our time spent together before.
I lifted his wrist to check the time. ‘We have to go.’
‘You could wear the watch I got you,’ he teased.
‘Why? You’re like a personal grandfather clock.’
He scrunched up his nose. ‘I don’t like that.’
I laughed then reached up to brush his golden hair aside. ‘Tall, sexy, and old. I love it.’ He was unimpressed, but kissed me anyway. ‘Let’s go. We have to make a stop first.’
‘We can’t stop. I want to meet my niece.’
Titan walked to my room, which had become ours during the nights he’d spent here, and shook his head. ‘It’ll take ten minutes.’
He grabbed my bag and ushered me out of the house.
We walked by his bike, now reserved for weekends where I got to wear the full protective leather suit, toward the waiting taxi.
‘You know we were once the best timekeepers?’ I said.
‘We’ll make it in time,’ he promised.
‘I’m going to tell Savi it was your fault.’
‘She won’t mind,’ he said with a wide grin.
‘You’re abusing your power.’
‘You like it.’
His tone made my stomach flip. It was his bedroom voice, and it got me every single time.
‘Don’t start.’
‘Foreplay,’ he whispered.
If the driver heard him, he sure didn’t let on.
‘It’s another property, and it’s five minutes away from Savi and Ted.’
‘Your viewings never take a couple of minutes.’ We’d looked at ten potential properties to move his studio to, as business had expanded and grown. None of them spoke to him.
‘I’ll buy you some chai on the way?’ he said.
He knew the way to my heart, and also knew I’d forgo being on time for a good cup of chai. ‘Fine.’
‘You’re so grumpy today.’
‘And you’re extra cheerful.’
‘Because I love you so much.’ He lifted my hand to kiss my knuckles, and managed to elicit a smile from me.
I would never tire of hearing it.
We pulled up to a terraced Georgian-style townhouse whose dark blue door reminded me of home. We were greeted by the realtor as we walked into the quiet space. It was probably too early for other viewings.
She excused herself when she got a phone call, but told us to have a look around.
We walked up the flight of stairs and peeked around the bedrooms. I was in awe of the clean and minimalistic decor in every room. It was the perfect blank canvas, but totally up Titan’s alley with its dark and moody palette. Little bits of light contrasted in the furniture or the paintings on the walls.
‘I can see why you like it,’ I said as we descended the stairs.
He took my hand in his. ‘Do you?’
‘Like it? Yeah, it’s so open and light.’ I gestured to the large windows all around as we stood in the kitchen. ‘A little much for an office space don’t you think?’
‘Good. It’s not an office space.’
I tilted my head to the side. ‘What do you mean?’
‘I would never move the studio, that building is a prime location. This is for…us.’
‘Us?’ I asked.
‘Yes. Us.’ He walked me over to the island where the pink travel tumbler and sunflower plate, from our “date” at Cambio Clay, now sat filled with cinnamon rolls.
He took my hands in his. ‘I want to spend every single day and night with you, but I also want to start a life with you. In a space that’s ours.’
‘What?’ I looked around us in awe as I processed what he was saying.
‘Before you say anything. The garden cottage is for Scarlet. She doesn’t want to share a space with us but agreed to a separate area. I kind of need to make sure she has somewhere to live.’
I laughed. ‘Of course. I wouldn’t have it any other way. But it would be nice to have sex in the lounge without her walking in on us.’
He laughed. ‘She agrees.’
‘Okay, so what now?’ I grinned.
‘Do you want to move in together? Build a home with me?’
I looked around again then nodded. ‘Of course I do.’
‘Thank God.’ He peppered kisses all over my face. ‘I love you so much.’
‘I love you too. You chose a house I would’ve chosen, but you’re missing one crucial thing.’
‘Anything.’ He wrapped his arms around my waist.
‘The Agreement is going to need an update.’
‘Just tell me where to sign, dimples.’