Epilogue
8 Months Later
Ruby
She was being crushed. She might not survive it. But she didn’t care. She’d never felt happiness like it, it was like a flower blooming in her chest. Josh’s family finally released her, and she could breathe again, but not before Lola had pulled her left hand toward her.
She still hadn’t gotten used to it—her finger felt heavy.
Lola tilted her finger, so the ruby glinted in the light. “It’s just so beautiful.”
She couldn’t agree more. She glanced up at Josh, the sparkle in his eyes mirroring the ring as he took her out of his family’s grasp and held her firmly in his own. “It’s perfect,” she said. “A bit like my fiancé.”
Pete scoffed. “Easy, now, don’t go giving my brother an ego complex.”
Josh had proposed a few days ago, before his family’s scheduled visit. He’d done it on holiday, whisked her off to a private island in the Maldives and proposed under a blanket of stars. She thought she’d been dreaming, and someone was going to come and pinch her to wake her up.
Lola and his mom were chatting between themselves, discussing wedding dresses and venues. Josh and his dad talked football. She clung to Josh’s arm and watched them all. She couldn’t wait to become a part of their family.
Speaking of family ... she unhooked from Josh and went to find her phone. She loaded up the scheduled FaceTime call and a series of congratulations sang out.
She thanked her parents.
“Let us congratulate Josh, too, and say hi to his family,” her mom said.
She did as she was told, and everyone exchanged awkward pleasantries for a few minutes before she hung up the phone. Josh had insisted on building a relationship with them, and on her repairing it, as he didn’t want to be blamed for a fractured family. She’d reassured him this wasn’t the case, but he was adamant. He was a better man than most. And he was hers.
She glanced down at her watch. “Oh, I’m sorry, I have to run. I have a few things to get done at the paper before tonight.”
She’d finally found a job. A job she loved. She was a real writer, making a living in New York. It was no mean feat.
She gave her new family a hug before Josh walked her to the door.
She reached up on her toes to kiss him.
“I miss you already,” he told her.
“Don’t make it hard to leave,” she protested, tucking into him, inhaling his musky scent before tearing herself away.
She smiled down at the ruby glinting in her ring the whole way to the office.
****
Josh
He couldn’t deny that talking with her family was hard. It was. He breathed an audible sigh of relief when the call hung up, but he was trying. For her. Even though they had each other now, forever, no one deserved to be lonely. He said goodbye to his family, who were heading out for a day of sightseeing, glad to have the apartment to himself. He had plans.
A few hours later, the key turned in the lock, and the most beautiful woman he’d ever seen walked through the door. And now she just so happened to be his fiancée.
Her breath caught in her throat before her stunning face cracked into a grin as she looked around.
He grinned. “Care to join me for dinner?” He held the chair out for her.
She shrugged off her coat, walking deeper into the room, her eyes taking in the butler, the chef, the five-course meal being prepared. Rose petals littered the floor, red, her favorite, naturally.
“I thought we could wedding plan in style.”
To be honest, he also wanted to do this before his mom and sister took over.
“I love it, almost as much as I love you.” She smiled and took her seat.
He could lose himself in her eyes for hours.
She laced her fingers with his. “So, let’s get started.”
“Can I be honest? All I really care about is marrying you. And I want it to happen as soon as possible.” He raised her hand to his lips, kissing the soft skin and inhaling her peaches and cream scent.
“Mrs. Ruby Hall,” she said.
It did something to him.
His voice deepened. “Say that again.”
She said it again. Slowly, like she was savoring the words, like they were the most delicious meal. Her gaze locked onto his, her lips parting.
He needed her. Now.
The meal ... the chef...
They could wait. He was hungry for something else now. He went over and whispered in her ear, before dragging Ruby’s chair back and carrying her to the bedroom.
“Just giving you a preview of our wedding night.”
When they finally stumbled back into the room, Ruby profusely apologizing to the chef and butler, they tucked into their first course.
“Guests?”
“Intimate. Just family and close friends,” she said.
He nodded. “Agreed.”
He couldn’t believe his luck that Ruby wanted something small, for it to be about them and not all the pomp and circumstance that came with it. She really was his dream woman.
They moved their way simply and efficiently through all the planning. By the time dessert came out, he chuckled.
“You do realize we haven’t chosen the location?”
She grinned, pushing her dark hair from her face. The smile fell as her thinking face took over. He smiled at the small crease of her brow, the bite of her lower lip.
“Got it,” she said, triumphant.
He sat back with a raise of his brow. “Oh, yeah?”
“Where it all began.”
He couldn’t hide his confusion. “The office?”
She rolled her eyes. “Okay, yes, well technically we did meet there, but I’m talking about the first time you saw me...”
“Your photo ... the club.”
She nodded. “Club Billionaire. I’m sure Alana would die to host our wedding. Good job you renewed your membership.”
He stood, holding out his hand and pulling her into his arms, beginning a slow, swaying dance.
“Where it all began,” he echoed before dipping his head to kiss her.
The End