EXTENDED EPILOGUE #2
Dyson ran a hand over the Ferrari and looked across at Jai and Ryan. “You boys can take it for a spin later if you want. Cal won’t mind—it’s his guest car.” He chuckled. “‘Just keep your hands off my vintage model.’ Those were his exact words.”
A grin spread across Ryan’s face. “I might just take you up on that. What do you reckon, Jai?”
“Hell yes!” He laughed, bobbing his head eagerly.
“Dyson, you against me in my new Aston Martin when it arrives… what do you say?” Karson asked.
“You’re on, bro, but you won’t stand a chance against me in this baby,” Dyson said confidently.
“That. Or history will repeat itself,” Karson teased. “And speaking of racing, did you ever call that mystery woman? You know, the one who smoked you in Dubai?”
“She really did, didn’t she?” Dyson grinned, shaking his head. “I called her, but it was a brief conversation. She said she was heading for Ibiza with her boyfriend and ended the call. And I still didn’t get her name.” He chuckled.
“I’m sure you’ve been losing sleep over it, bro—what with you finding it so hard to meet women and all,” Karson teased, nudging him.
With a chuckle, Dyson lifted his chin toward the lime-green McLaren. “Who’s hiding in there?”
“No clue. Honestly, I thought it was one of your mates,” Karson said, squinting toward the tinted windows as we all stared at the gleaming car beneath the tree.
The door cracked open a sliver, and a British voice drifted through. “Talk to you later, lad. Gotta go.” A fit-looking guy stepped out, shoving his phone into his pocket.
Holy shit! It’s the F1 driver. Sass is going to go wild…
Karson and Dyson rushed over, cheering as they smacked him on the back. “Archie, my boy!” Dyson cried. “What are you doing here? Shouldn’t you be driving around a track or something?” He smirked.
“Hey, lads,” Archie laughed. “Well, I couldn’t miss this, could I? Not after you both came to Yas to watch me race.”
“Bring it in.” Karson dragged him into a crushing hug while Dyson threw himself over the top of them.
He stepped aside and glanced back at the McLaren. “Oh, by the way, I brought someone with me.”
The passenger door swung open as the occupant ended his call. A tall man climbed out of the seat, straightening his shirt as he grinned.
“Cal!” Dyson laughed.
Karson strode forward to shake his hand. “Good to see you, man.”
“I’m in Sydney for meetings,” Callum said, “and Achie invited me to join him, so I thought I’d tag along and make sure he behaves himself.”
“Good luck with that,” Dyson muttered.
Archie pointed at him. “See? This is exactly the kind of support I get from my friends.”
We all laughed as Dyson and Cal launched into a conversation about BioBuild.
Karson motioned toward me. “Archie, meet Ivy. And Ivy, this is Archie. An old schoolmate.”
“You know,” Dyson said, wandering over with Cal and nudging Karson in the arm, “Ivy’s the one he was so lovesick over in Abu Dhabi.”
“It’s all true.” I grinned. “Hey, Archie, good to meet you,” I said with a chuckle.
“Good to meet you too, love.” Archie’s thick English accent wrapped around the words.
“And Ivy,” Karson said, “this is Callum Rhodes. Investor, businessman, occasional babysitter of Formula One drivers.”
Callum chuckled and held out his hand. “Pleasure to meet you, Ivy. And congrats on the house. You guys will have to pay me a visit sometime and check out my car collection.”
“You too. And thanks,” I said as he shook my hand.
He lowered his voice. “Don’t tell Dyson about it, though. He’s already got my Ferrari. Good to see it’s still in one piece.” He flashed a grin.
“Hey, I heard that!” Dyson piped up. “I’m no F1 driver, but I’ll definitely keep it in one piece. Probably.”
Callum laughed and shook his head.
“Archie!” Karson’s college friends caught sight of him and rushed over. “Man, you’ve been killing it out there!”
“Thanks, lads,” Archie laughed. “Shall we head inside? That flight was a killer, I wouldn’t mind quenching my thirst, and I can fill you in about the last race if you want.”
“Hell yeah!” Tyler piped up.
The boys swarmed Archie and hoisted him onto their shoulders in celebration of his recent win. Whooping loudly, they carried him inside while Jai and Ryan followed behind, laughing.
Karson pulled me close, his arms circling my back as I linked mine behind his neck. He leaned forward, dipping me toward the ground before pulling me back against him and kissing me deeply.
As he pulled away, his fingertip skimmed the curve of my cleavage while his other arm held me close. A wave of warmth spread through me.
“I don’t think it’s possible to be happier than I am right now,” he murmured, those azure eyes glowing with heat.
“I think we died and went to heaven,” I whispered as he smiled down at me. Arm in arm, we wandered into the living room.
I took in the chic yet cozy furnishings. Just the way I like them.
“You did all this?” I smiled at Karson. “How did you manage it while we were away? Honestly, I don’t think I would’ve done anything differently.”
“I’m so glad you like it,” he said with a grin. “While you were busy at the spa, I was messaging the designer. He knows his stuff. Dyson’s mom recommended him. Clearly the guy’s a genius.” He glanced around proudly.
“And here I was thinking interior design must be your side hustle. Full disclosure… I’m kind of relieved it’s already done.” I rested my head on his shoulder, taking it all in. “I love it. Thank you.”
Sass tore into the room, then froze. “Oh my god!” she whispered, her face drained of color.
“Sass, what is it?” I followed her gaze to Archie Jenson. I immediately understood. A smile spread across my face at her hard crush on him.
Kelvin called out to Karson to come over and join his group, and Karson pressed a quick kiss to my cheek. “I’ll leave you to chat with Sass.”
Sass stood transfixed.
“Girl, you’re obsessed.” I laughed softly. I’d never seen her speechless before.
“Somehow, he’s even hotter in real life,” Sass whispered, still staring at him.
She shook herself suddenly. “Why am I acting like this? He probably has a model waiting for him in every country.” She tapped her fingers against her cheek. “But if Sydney’s position happens to be vacant...” she trailed off.
I burst out laughing. “Okay, weirdly enough, I haven’t actually seen him with anyone. He’s been too busy getting swarmed by Karson’s college friends.”
“Ivy, I was joking!” Sass laughed, finally dragging her eyes away from him. “Now come on. There are people on the deck desperate to see you.” We started walking outside. “And seriously, I missed you so much.”
“I missed you too! But wait,” I said, catching her hand. “Let me introduce you. I met him outside, he’s a sweetheart.” I tugged her toward Archie.
She froze again. “Ivy, no. I couldn’t… honestly, I think I might actually die.”
“I’ll stay right beside you and do all the talking. Until you’re ready to jump in.”
She backed away.
“Oh Sass. Fine. But if you change your mind, you know where I am…”
Stepping onto the deck, I spotted the girls from the old share house chatting and laughing over champagne and canapés. “Girls!” I cried. “I’ve got my squad back.”
Laughing, we all fell into a group hug.
I grabbed a glass of Moet from a passing waiter, giggling over the latest industry gossip.
Apparently, Katarina had changed completely.
She’d started helping the other girls on set and had given up her old behavior. Whatever happened with Karlos had clearly shaken her up. Though honestly, landing a designer handbag out of the drama wasn’t exactly the worst consolation prize, I thought with a quiet laugh.
A little later, Suki tapped her glass for attention and made a heartfelt toast to my new beginning.
We clinked glasses and continued making wildly different toasts—from world peace to swearing we’d all go see the latest viral book-to-screen adaptation.
Karson ambled over as everyone talked over the top of one another. I smiled as his arm settled around my waist. “Okay, for anyone who hasn’t officially met him yet,” I said with a laugh, “this is Karson.”
“Hey.” He lifted a hand in greeting. “I’m really glad you all came. Ivy’s missed you girls a lot.”
The girls instantly launched into excited chatter around him.
“Another toast!” Olivia gushed. “Ivy, Karson, thank you for having us here today. And cheers to a bright future full of happiness, way too much fun, and many more parties like this one—many, many more!”
Laughter rippled through the group as we clinked glasses.
As we wandered over to Karson’s friends, a glowing sense of belonging filled me. And I knew exactly where I was meant to be.
“Guys!” Karson called over the music. “Anyone who needs a place to stay tonight can crash here. There’s plenty of room… especially if you don’t mind the floor.” A chorus of cheers and whistles erupted around us.
Sass squealed as a song I didn’t recognize blasted from the speakers. “Come on, let’s dance!” She headed straight for the makeshift dance floor. The DJ cranked up the volume right before a wave of people spilled onto the floor.
I looked around the room. Everyone laughed, danced, and celebrated together. A warmth settled deep inside me.
Sass waved excitedly for me to join her, her expression shifting instantly as Archie headed straight toward her.
Her breath caught.
Then he stopped right in front of her, leaning in and whispering something in her ear as she broke into an ecstatic grin. From that moment on, they danced like they were the only two people in the room.
Smiling, I took Karson’s hand. “Time to see your dance moves,” I teased, throwing my arm into the air and twirling beneath his as we stepped onto the dance floor.
His eyes glowed as he moved to the music, pointing playfully at me before spinning me back toward him. His radiant smile lit up the entire room.
Even if I’d tried… I couldn’t have stopped the smile from spreading across my face.
I.
Was.
Home.
THE END