Epilogue
Fourteen months later
Daisy
I finish braiding my hair as I bounce into the kitchen for my morning coffee, and Lucy is already here, typing on her laptop.
“Getting an early start on work, huh?”
Her shoulders fall, and she leans back in her chair. “I’m trying to figure out this racing thing. I swear, it’s a whole new world with vocabulary I don’t understand.”
I wince, starting the coffee machine. “I’m sorry you have to deal with that.” Lucy’s colleague just had a health scare, so her boss is sending her in his pl ace to do a piece on a Formula 1 driver in Italy this summer. “At least you’re making a trip out of it.”
“Letting me extend my trip so I can have some time off is the least my boss can do. I’m going to need it. I now have to learn everything about this sport and this guy who’s apparently the new Lewis Hamilton.”
I tilt my head to the side. “Who?”
“Exactly my point,” she groans, her voice an octave higher than usual. “I know nothing about this, and I'm leaving in two days!”
I walk to her and place my hand on her shoulder. “Is that him?” I ask, looking at the screen.
“Yeah.” She sighs.
“He's cute.” Dark hair, near-black eyes, a sharp jawline, and a one-piece uniform that’s really working for him.
She snorts. “Yeah. He certainly thinks so. I mean, who does that ?”
She presses play on a video. It shows the guy on a podium emptying a bottle of champagne over himself as if he’s under a cascade.
I grimace. “Yeah. But who knows? He could be a fun rebound after Chad.” She broke up with Chad last summer after she found out he was cheating on her.
She raises her hands, almost knoc king her laptop on the floor. “Absolutely not. I refuse to be this guy’s fifteen-hundredth conquest of the month.”
“Wow,” I say, chuckling.
“I’m not even kidding. I just started my research, and I’ve already seen him with more girls than I can count on tabloid covers alone. Plus, this guy is definitely not rebound material. He’s the guy who crushes you so badly, no rebound can ever get you over him.”
I laugh, walking to the counter to pour my coffee. “How do you know that?”
“Pretty boys are heartbreakers. It’s a fact.”
My mouth twists. “Uh . . .” I’m not sure I can agree. Asher is way hotter than this guy, and I don’t think he’ll break my heart. He’s been the most attentive boyfriend I could have ever hoped for this past year. Sure, it started a little rocky, but our relationship is stronger than ever. “Well, he’s not the only guy in Italy,” I say, leaning against the counter. “Maybe you'll find a cute pizzaiolo or barista.”
“Right.” She snorts. “Anyway, I’ll let you get ready for the barbecue. I have more research to do and some shopping.”
I quirk an eyebrow. “Shopping?”
“Please don't scold me,” she says, her eyes pleading. “The only upside of this impromptu trip is that I'll have to curate the perfect outfits for it.”
I laugh. “Fine. But hold on till tomorrow so I can go with you.”
She beams. “Perfect.”
“Have fun!” I say, leaving the kitchen with coffee in hand.
***
Asher
I’ve never been this happy in my entire life. Who knew I’d find peace of mind—and love—in Chicago? When I stepped foot in this city over a year ago, I thought I was going to hate it. I also thought I was doing the right thing for the company I worked for. Now, I get a special kick every time Hackett Studios steals another longtime client from Doug. Not that I’m surprised. The team is really talented. And that tool? Pretty powerful. I’ve been working for Hackett Landscapes, their sister company, and we use the Archi7000 too.
I could have never predicted this turn of events. Nor imagined, in my wildest dreams, that I’d be standing in front of the house I’m going to buy with the woman I love. At least, if everything goes well.
I’m waiting for Daisy in front of a classic Chicago bungalow, and I can already see ourselves growing old here. I know I’m getting ahead of myself, but our love is stronger than ever, and it feels like the natural next step.
Plus, I’m tired of crashing in my big bro’s spare room. He says he doesn’t mind, and that he’s happy I’m there, but I’d much rather see Daisy’s gorgeous smile when I drink my morning coffee than Evan’s.
“Hey,” Daisy says, approaching from the corner of the street. She’s breathtaking as usual in her yellow dress with sunflowers, her red hair tied in a braid over her shoulder. “What’s going on? What are we doing here?” she asks before giving me a kiss. She was going for a small peck, probably eager for answers, but I tug her close and deepen our kiss.
“Asher,” she says, a hand on my shoulder. “I’m confused. Aren’t we going to your mom’s?”
“We are.” I nod, taking her hand in mine. “I just wanted to show you this.”
I step aside and glance at the gorgeous brick house behind me.
Her frown deepens.
“I want to buy this,” I say, the anticipation building in my core. “For us. If you’re interested.”
Her eyes widen. “What?”
I smile, my heart racing a millio n miles an hour. “I know how much you love these classic bungalows. This is a good neighborhood, not far from work, your favorite pizza place, or the Lily Pool.”
Her face softens, and she bites her lip. “It could be ours?”
I nod. “Yes. If you want to move in together.”
A smile breaks onto her face. “Of course I do. And this house,” she says, shaking her head as she studies the property again. “It’s in great condition. And the window? Oh my gosh, it’s gorgeous with the leaded art glass. There aren’t that many of those, you know. It’s perfect.”
I draw her toward me. “Nah, you are perfect.” I place a long kiss on her lips, and she giggles, leaning into my arms.
A deep red blush coats her cheeks.
“There you are, Red,” I say, kissing both of her flushed cheeks. I love that even after all this time together, she still blushes when I tell her how beautiful she is.
A slight frown clouds her face. “What do you mean?”
“The red on your cheeks,” I say, tracing my finger down her cheek.
She leans back. “Wait, is that why you call me Red?”
I grin. “Yes, why else?”
“Um, my hair?” she says, grabbing the end of her braid.
“Oh, right.” I chuckle, cares sing her head. “I thought it was obvious. I love it when you blush.”
She arches an eyebrow. “Is that why you tease me so much?”
I smirk. “Maybe.”
She shakes her head, and I hug her tighter. “You were right, you know. Chicago is so much better than New York.”
She laughs, tilting her head back. “Really? Why’s that?”
“Because I get to do this,” I say, dropping a kiss on her forehead. “And this.” I plant another one behind her ear, making her giggle. “And this.” Another one on her sweet neck. I keep going until she’s giggling in my arms, struggling to catch her breath.
“Stop,” she says, placing a hand on my chest.
“I love you, Red,” I say, tracing my thumb over her lower lip.
She wraps her arms around my neck. “I love you too.”
And then, she kisses me, again and again, each touch of her lips like the promise of a thousand tomorrows. From the corner of my eye, I catch a glimpse of the house, and my heart surges. I’m eager to see what the future holds. But one thing I know for certain? We’ll fill these walls with love, laughter, and endless possibilities.
That’s what’s so special abou t this city. It’s a great place for a new beginning, and I can’t wait for our story to unfold.
Do you want a sneak peek into Asher and Daisy's new beginning? Take a look at the extended epilogue . It's free of lies but, oh so full of love!