Epilogue
MATTHEW
"You bet against me lasting a month?"
Vivian breaks into laughter at something my mother said, the sound carrying across the terrace. Even after all this time, I still can't wrap my head around the fact that she chose me. This beautiful, brilliant woman who's always lurking around the perimeter of my mind … is now my wife.
"You are so obsessed with Vivian."
Levi appears beside me, loosening his tie and finishing his champagne in one gulp.
"It's my wedding, and she's my wife. Of course, I'm obsessed."
"Hmm." He follows my gaze to where Vivian and our mother are deep in conversation near the stone railing. "By the way, Mom's practically glowing because she just won her bet."
I swing my gaze to him. "What bet?"
"About when you'll get married." Levi grins. "I said one month. She said longer. Guess who was right."
"You bet against me lasting a month?"
"I bet for you not lasting a month. There's a difference, for Christ's sake. I thought you'd crack and propose within four weeks of bringing her to New York."
"Jesus, I hate you so much. I'm so glad Vivian no longer working for you stresses you so much that you now look older than me.”
"Oh, fuck you. Angela owes her fifty bucks too. Apparently the women in this family have more faith in your self-control than your brother does."
Vivian breaks away from my mother and heads our direction, Angela falling into step beside her. My bride, my wife. Vivian is really mine … officially.
"Levi has more lines on his forehead than when I left," Vivian says when she reaches us, sliding her hand into mine.
I smirk at Levi, giving him that I-told-you-so look he hates so much. Levi just flips me off.
"Those are stress lines," Angela adds helpfully. "From trying to manage the branch office without his favorite EA."
Levi shoots his wife a look. "I'm handling it fine, honey, and shouldn't you be on my side?"
"You called me crying the other night because the new EA confused you."
"That wasn't crying. That was ... expressing frustration."
"With tears."
"Manly tears."
Vivian squeezes my hand and beams at the couple. "I could recommend someone excellent for the position. She's currently unemployed."
I squeeze her hand back. "Technically, you're between jobs."
"Technically, I start Monday as Chief of Staff to some demanding CEO who apparently makes people cry."
"Only the weak ones."
Angela laughs. "See? He's already better with her around."
Levi groans. "Great. Now I have to watch you two be disgustingly happy while I continue stressing out at work."
I turn toward Vivian, tuning out my brother's continued complaints about incompetence and staffing shortages. Her eyes are bright, her smile soft and private, meant just for me.
"Ready to be stuck with me permanently, Mrs. Astor?"
"Ready to be stuck with me permanently, Mr. Astor?"
I kiss her, slow and sure, tasting champagne and the promise of everything we're building together. What was supposed to be a one-night stand has now become the start of forever.
"I love you, Vi."
"I love you too. Now take me to the dance floor."
The End