Epilogue
SAWYER
Graduation speeches are the most boring things in the entire world. I know they’re supposed to be all inspirational and everything, but all I really care about is when Preston walks across that stage and gets hooded.
My own graduation ceremony was the day before, and he was there in the audience with Mom. She let out an ear-splitting whistle when I did my walk and Preston jumped up and down, waving his hands in the air.
But I just got a measly undergraduate degree. Preston’s becoming a doctor.
It takes forever, but eventually, it’s Preston’s turn. They call his name, he walks to the center of the stage, and kneels in front of his academic advisor. Then Professor Graves places the red and gold hood around his shoulders.
I rush onto the stage, ignoring all the surprised and annoyed looks I get along the way. By the time Preston stands up and turns around, I’m there, on my knees, velvet ring box in hand.
“Sawyer?” Preston blinks at me. “What are you doing here?”
“Preston Boyer, would you like to change your name to Preston Paige?” It’s not the most romantic proposal in the world, but I say those pretty words to him all the time.
He knows how I feel about him. He knows how much I love him.
What he needs to know now is I want to marry him. I want to give him my name.
Which he hasn’t said yes to—yet. I know he will. There’s no question about it. But my heart is still hammering against my chest as I wait for his mouth to catch up with his beautiful brain.
He stares at the simple gold band nestled inside black velvet. There are no jewels or gemstones embedded in the ring, but rather, it’s engraved with a single oscillating line.
Preston bends forward to study it closer. “Is that a brain wave?”
I nearly drop the box. Of course he’d zero in on the engraving instead of answering my damn question. “Yes, babe, it’s a brain wave. My brain wave, to be exact. Fitz said it’s the alpha frequency, whatever that means. But you’re kind of leaving me hanging here…”
“Did Fitz scan your brain?” he asks, almost accusingly. “How come you didn’t ask me to scan your brain?”
“Preston, put the man out of his misery and answer his question!” This comes from Professor Graves who is hovering behind him.
“What? Oh, sorry, what was the question?” Preston’s cheeks turn a little pink when he realizes he’s still standing in the middle of the stage with hundreds of people staring at him.
“Preston Boyer, will you marry me?” I say, opting for the direct route rather than the witty inside joke.
He smiles so brightly, he could rival the sun. “Yes, yes, I’ll marry you.”
He throws himself at me and I barely manage to catch him without ending up sprawled on the floor.
“I can’t believe you asked Fitz to scan your brain,” he murmurs against my lips in between kisses.
“I couldn’t ask you,” I murmur back. “It would’ve ruined the surprise.”
I disentangle Preston from me long enough to slip the ring onto his finger and he immediately brings it to his face to study the engraving. I can’t wait to hear what he thinks about my brainwave.
We’re ushered off stage—or more like shooed—and Madison is there, waiting for us. She squeals before enveloping Preston in a hug.
“Congrats, babe!”
“Thanks, Mads.”
Behind Madison are Mr. and Mrs. Boyer, looking collected and reserved. If they’re proud of their son earning a PhD, you’d never be able to tell. But Mrs. Boyer is holding what I expect is a very expensive bottle of wine.
“Congratulations, Preston,” she says coolly as she hands the bottle over. “On your doctorate and on getting engaged.”
Mr. Boyer shakes Preston’s hand. “Good job.”
I bite my tongue. Things are still strained between Preston and his parents, but they’ve managed to respect his wishes so far.
There’s been no mention of joining Boyer Pharmaceuticals, even though I got a distinctly icy welcome from Mr. Boyer at Easter.
That’s fine—I can deal with icy welcomes and cold shoulders.
The important thing is Preston is free to do what he wants with his life.
“You’ll be staying at Grantham?” Mrs. Boyer asks.
“Yes,” Preston answers. “They offered me the new post-doctorate position.”
“That’s lovely.” Then she turns to me. “And you, Sawyer?”
“Still at the gym,” I chirp because I’m not ashamed of my job. Especially not since Beau and Gavin approached me about creating custom dietary plans for our members.
Mr. Boyer clears his throat, and then pointedly checks his watch. “We should get going.”
Mrs. Boyer presses her lips into a thin line, but she doesn’t object. “Yes, we should. It was wonderful to see you all. Preston, we’ll be in touch.”
“That wasn’t so bad,” Madison says after Mr. and Mrs. Boyer disappear into the crowd.
“Definitely could’ve been worse,” I agree.
Preston turns to face us and shrugs more nonchalantly than I’m used to from him. “It doesn’t matter.” He holds up his hand, the gold ring glinting in the sunlight. “I’m going to be a Paige.”
BONUS SCENE
Everyone keeps asking if I’m nervous, and I don’t know why. Why would I be nervous? I’m marrying my best friend. I’ve known him for years. He’s the best person I know. It’s not like I’m marrying a stranger.
Madison accuses me of being unromantic, and maybe I am. After all, it’s just a piece of paper we sign and file with city hall. The part I’m most excited about is getting to change my name after. I’ve already started thinking of myself as Preston Paige and I like it so much better than the original.
But Sawyer is a romantic, so I acquiesced to a small wedding…