Epilogue
Emerson
One year later
“Starr, get your ass out here now. We have to leave.”
“I’m coming. Wait a second.” Dominic skittered to a stop in front of me. “How do I look?”
At the sight of him in a tuxedo, I almost swallowed my tongue. Always stunning, in my opinion, the black suit and crisp white shirt set off his icy blue eyes and dark hair to perfection.
“Gorgeous,” I murmured, weak at the knees and wishing we didn’t have to be at the church early for pictures. But Dominic was one of Bradford’s groomsmen, and he couldn’t be late.
Unconvinced, he peered in the mirror and smoothed the top of his short-cropped hair. “Yeah? Good. I wasn’t sure I did the bow tie right.”
He had, but I’d use any excuse to get close to him and crooked my finger. “Well, it could use a little adjustment. C’mere.” He came close, and I tweaked it a bit, then, unable to resist him, pressed a kiss to his lips.
“Emmy,” he groaned. “If you don’t stop, we’re gonna get naked and I’ll be really late. Bradford’s already a nervous wreck.”
“We’ll save it for later.” I teased him by trailing my fingers down his cheek.
“Yeah, later.” He patted his pockets and looked around, growing frantic. “Where’d I put the car keys? I can’t remember. This place is too damn big.”
Harte had moved into Jet’s house and put his home up for sale.
After some discussion, we’d made an offer to buy it.
Even with our combined salaries, we would never have been able to afford a place in that part of town, except six months ago, the government had informed Dominic that because his father’s arrest had led to the capture of one of the largest drug lords on the East Coast, he was entitled to part of the huge reward.
At first, he hadn’t wanted to accept it, calling it blood money, but we’d sat and talked it over, and he’d decided to donate a large portion to gun-and-drug victims’ compensation funds and keep just enough to allow us to live comfortably but not to excess.
“I wouldn’t know what the hell to do with all that money. ”
“I have the keys, Dominic. Let’s get going. It looks like it might snow.”
We made it to the church with a few minutes to spare, and Bradford’s relief was evident when he spotted us.
“Great. We’re ready to take pictures. Lila thought it would look pretty to do outside shots with the snow beginning to fall.”
“Whatever the bride wants,” Dominic said. “I’ve only been to one other wedding, but I figure it’s her day.”
“Yeah, come on.” Bradford pulled at Dominic’s elbow. “See you later, Emerson. Jet and Harte are in the second row, and the other guys are here too.”
“I’ll find them.” I strolled up the aisle and saw them sitting with the other deputies who weren’t on duty. Jet spied me and waved.
“We saved you a seat.” I slid in next to him and greeted Harte.
“How’s it going? I saw the Kings drafted a kid from Overlook High—your pick?”
“Yeah. Van Childs. He was coached by Keller when they won the State Championship three years in a row.”
“Cool. And the Kings are making another run for the Super Bowl, I see.”
“Always.” Harte laughed. “Let me know if you guys want tickets to the playoffs.”
“No need to ask. That’s an automatic yes.” We’d become fixtures at Jet and Harte’s for the Sunday games if we weren’t working, and I loved that Dominic and my best friend had become close.
I scanned the church and saw Jaxon Polaris shaking hands with the people he passed on the aisle. To my surprise, he sat next to Theo Sweeny, who blushed and ducked his head.
“Don’t even think about it,” Jet warned when I pointed it out. “Theo’s a nice guy who wants a steady man, while Polaris is always moving on to the next sure thing. Theo would never be interested in a player like that.”
Jet might think that, but I could see Theo sneaking glances at the handsome man by his side.
He might be shy, but he’s not dead.
The music started, and I forgot about them and concentrated on the procession. No offense to Bradford, but Dominic looked like a supermodel, and I saw quite a few ladies making eyes his way. And a few guys as well.
Back off. He’s mine.
I grinned to myself, recalling my cousin Marshall’s wedding.
Teaching Dominic the hora was an experience I’d never forget, and I was glad to have it on film so I could watch it if I needed a laugh.
He took it all in good fun, and he’d been in the thick of it as they’d lifted the two grooms up in the chairs.
Lila walked past us, stunning in a sleek gown with a long train and a flowing veil.
Bradford was completely smitten. It was a quick ceremony, and after they exchanged rings and kissed, we all clapped.
Lila glowed as she and Bradford hurried past us.
Dominic, paired with one of Bradford’s sisters, strolled by me and winked.
The reception was at a country club in Overlook, and I met Dominic there. He’d about had it with the theatrics, and he waved, visibly relieved and almost ran to me.
“Promise me you’ll never let me say yes to this. I’ve never smiled so much in my life.”
“Aw, poor baby. How awful for you.” I patted his cheek, and we took our seats for the dinner.
Theo and Jaxon Polaris were at our table, as well as Jet and Harte and some of the other deputies. We were all chatting when Theo got a call. His face fell.
“Excuse me.” He left his seat, and I kept my eye on him while the main course was served.
Shaw and his wife, Rosie, sat across from Dominic and me. “So you two thinking of tying the knot anytime soon?”
Dominic was chewing his prime rib, and I looked to him before answering. “We haven’t discussed it, but right now, I’m good as it is.”
Dominic set his fork on his plate. “Not everyone needs to be married, you know. Marriage isn’t the answer to everything.” The two of us coming from such irreparably broken homes was proof of that.
Theo returned, but only to pick up his suit jacket. “Sorry, I have to go.”
“Something wrong?” Polaris asked. He’d hovered by Theo’s side all afternoon, and I hoped Theo wouldn’t mistake for actual interest the man’s desire to screw anything that walked.
“Just my father. I’ll see you all. Nice to meet you.” He swiftly left.
“Father?” Dom questioned. “I thought the old man was dead. I’ve never seen him.”
“From what I’ve heard, he’s bedridden. No loss,” Polaris stated. “He’s a piece of work, but Theo’s too nice a guy to leave him by himself.”
“Theo’s a great guy,” Jet stated firmly, wiping his mouth. “He deserves the best.”
Polaris laughed. “Why do I get the feeling you’re warning me off? He’s forty years old. I doubt he needs you all to protect him.”
“Everyone should have someone to watch out for them,” Dominic noted. “If I didn’t have Emmy, I might not be here. I was getting the crap beaten out of me last year, but knowing he cared about me and was waiting for me to come home gave me the strength to hold on.”
“Well, guess you’re one of those lucky people. I’ve managed to make it without anyone in my corner except me.” Polaris tried to keep his tone light, but the harsh lines around his face told a different story.
Later that evening, at home, we lay on the couch in our usual position—me stretched out with my head in Dominic’s lap.
“Did you mean what you said earlier?” I asked.
“I said a lot of things,” he teased, his long fingers playing with my hair, then sliding down to skim along my jaw. “What are you talking about?”
“That I was the strength you thought about and that’s what helped you through everything?”
He traced my lips. “After everything, you doubt it?”
“No. Not anymore.”
Dominic continued to stroke me. “I understand.”
“Understand what?” I kissed his hand. “You’ve got everything figured out?”
“Everything? Hardly. But you and me? Yeah.”
I sat up and met his beautiful, shining blue eyes. “Oh yeah?”
“I don’t need a piece of paper to prove I love you, unless you want one. Some words by a judge aren’t going to change how I feel. We played hide-and-seek for too long. Now we get to love each other, free and out loud, and there’s nothing more I need.”
Dominic had put off talking to his mother since his father’s arrest, and I believed he needed that closure.
She hadn’t called him even after his name was in all the papers, something I didn’t understand.
After the story broke, my mother had come up to meet him, and they’d bonded quickly.
He told me she continued to text him once a week to “check up on him.” I might not want my mother’s attention, but Dominic didn’t mind.
He appreciated her concern. The past year, I’d mentioned he should call his mother, but each time he’d brushed me off.
“Are you sure?” I asked him.
Knowing exactly what I meant, his gaze grew stormy. “If you’re talking about my mother, stop.”
“Please? I know you two aren’t close, but maybe this could be a fresh start? You love her, and I’m sure she’d be happy to know you’re in a good place now.”
“I don’t want to talk about it.” His hurt from her silence went bone-deep.
The next morning, I was getting ready for work—Dominic had a late shift—and after I finished showering, I came out to find him sitting on the couch, staring.
“Are you okay?”
“You’re right. I’m going to call her. Do you have a few minutes, or are you going to be late?”
“It doesn’t matter.” I slid into the space next to him.
He scrolled through his contacts, hesitated a second, then touched the screen.
“Hi, Mom. It’s me…yeah, I’m fine. Really good.
Don’t cry.” He reached for my hand and I took it.
“Mom, it’s okay… How’re you… Oh, wow. London.
That’s cool… Yeah, I’m handling it. Just glad it’s finished.
” He chewed his lip, and I put my arm around him.
“I…I miss you a lot too… I don’t blame you…
it’s not your fault… no, it wasn’t…Mom, no, you were a good mother…
I understand… Well, yeah, it was hard, but I had to do it…
I was just thinking, maybe next time you’re home, we could try a visit?
” He picked up my hand. “There’s someone I’d like you to meet.
” Emotional blue eyes met mine. “Yeah. Someone special… Okay, call me when you get home… I-I love you too, Mom. Bye.”
He set the phone aside and rubbed his eyes. “That was a good conversation.”
“I think it was better than good.”
“Yeah.” He leaned into me for a second. “We’ll try to arrange a meeting soon, and I need you there. I want you to meet her.”
I got to my feet. “Just let me know.”
“Hey.” Dominic walked me to the door. “Thank you for pushing me. She seemed happy to hear from me.”
“Of course she was. She’s your mom. But you’re also both survivors, and no one can fault either of you for being afraid to take the first step. I’m glad you decided to do it.”
“It’s because of you,” he said simply and squeezed my hand.
I held him close. I’d do anything for him…for us. It didn’t matter how we started, it only mattered where we ended up. Here. Together forever.
“No, there’s no you or me. It’s us. Now and always.”
“So dramatic, Emmy,” he sighed, and with that gorgeous smile I’d never get tired of seeing, he kissed me.