Epilogue
THREE MONTHS LATER
T he wedding that night was beautiful. Britanya and Matthew were breathtaking beneath the white twinkle lights, Britanya in a satin sheath gown with and Matthew in a tux with green and red accents.
Steve managed to leave me alone almost the entire night, and that may or may not have had something to do with the plus-one I brought in the form of Gabriel, who I’d decided really was an angel.
For his part, Gabriel was all too happy to join me, and even Axl showed up to hang with Diana during the reception. When the evening was over, Gabriel came back to the lodge with me.
We stayed in touch, and when he flew to Seattle a month later to interview with the hockey team, I treated him to all the tourist spots the city had to offer, and then we treated ourselves to each other.
He got the job.
And now I’m learning what it’s like to not always be the one taking care of someone. Learning what it’s like to date someone who has their own entire life separate from yours. Learning to let go of old fears and enjoy myself. To enjoy him . All glorious twenty-five years of him.
Seriously. I’m not sure the women in their twenties actually appreciate the stamina of men in their twenties, but I’m here to tell you, I appreciate it. I appreciate the hell out of it.
Do I wonder if we’ll last? Sure. But for now, I’m enjoying the company of a man who knows what he wants.
And what he wants, is me.
“You coming?” Gabriel calls from where he stands up ahead on the trail, pulling me out of my head.
I grin and pick up the pace, taking his hand as we hike. “Thanks for waiting,” I say.
He looks over at me, his maple-honey eyes just as warm and kind as the night we met. “Always,” he says.
* * *
T hank you for reading this fun little novella! If you enjoyed it (and honestly, how could you not?), then you’ll adore my Guided to Love Series and Dining for Love Series!