Epilogue
Olive
Six months later
“Olive, hurry that fine ass up.” Nate’s deep voice echoes down the hallway of his house.
Well, our house.
For the past six months, I’ve lived in his remodeled bungalow in East Nashville.
He demanded that I make it my own by redecorating it however I wanted, but I didn’t do much besides hang some pictures.
It’s already perfect, just the way it is.
From the moment I walked in, it felt like the home I’d always dreamed of.
That’s because of the man who lives here, not because of the house or the decor.
The day we left Benny for one more night in the hospital before he went back to inpatient rehab, Nate insisted I move in. There was no question in my mind that I would do just that.
Both Marcus and Benny agreed to testify against Tatum and his associates and helped put them away for a long time.
Benny wasn’t given full immunity, but I was grateful when he received a much lighter sentence of community service and three years of probation than he could have.
Marcus wasn’t so lucky and did receive jail time.
I talked to him after his sentencing, and he was surprisingly settled with his punishment.
He said he probably deserved worse and that this was certainly the wake-up call he needed for him to make some serious changes in his life.
I don’t think we’ll stay in touch after he’s out, but I sincerely hope that he really does choose to do better with his life.
And now, it’s Benny’s birthday, and I’ve never been so excited to celebrate my brother getting a year older.
It’s been over a decade since I’ve seen Benny this happy.
He successfully completed inpatient and extensive outpatient treatment and attends weekly meetings.
He even recently got a job at the animal rescue where he did his community service.
He’s helping with things like taking the dogs for walking, feeding and bathing the animals, and cleaning the facility.
It isn’t huge, but he loves it. Both of us always wanted pets, but were never able to have them.
Nate helps pay Benny’s bills since his job doesn’t pay him much.
I told Nate he didn’t have to do that, but no matter what I said, Nate insisted that it was happening and I just needed to accept that he would help in any way he could and that he wanted Benny to focus on recovering and not stress about money.
Nate’s selflessness is just one of the endless reasons why I fall more in love with him every day.
He cares for me and Benny as fiercely as he does everyone else in his life.
He even attends Nar-Anon meetings with me every week.
Sometimes, he comes in and holds my hand the entire time, and sometimes, he waits for me outside.
He always seems to know exactly what I need.
On the weeks he doesn’t join me in the meeting, he’s always waiting for me with candy or another treat he bought while I was in the meeting, reminding me even more of his love and thoughtfulness.
He even organized this birthday dinner for Benny.
Nate’s sisters and their families will be there.
And so will Cade, Ian, and their friend, Jack, and Jack’s fiancée, Ella.
Ella and I have grown very close over the last few months.
She even introduced me to her friend, Maggie.
The three of us have had a lot of fun getting to know each other.
It’s been great to have friends to spend time with because I’ve had a lot of free time on my hands.
While Benny was still in the hospital, Nate and I sat down and talked about the tour.
He didn’t want to be without me, and I didn’t want to leave him or my brother.
So we both decided it was best for him to allow one of his employees to take his place and, much to Cade’s disappointment, for me to quit my job.
Being a flight attendant was never my dream; it was always just a job, even if I did enjoy it for most of the years I was doing it.
Nate insisted that I could do whatever I wanted now, but it’s been hard for me to figure out what exactly that is.
He eventually talked me into taking some college classes to see if there was anything I was interested in getting a degree in.
I have enjoyed them so far, but I’m still no closer to figuring out what I want to do with the rest of my life.
Except spending it with Nate. That, I know for sure, is something I want forever.
I secure my earrings as I turn toward the bedroom door. A yelp leaves me when I find Nate leaning against the doorframe, watching me with a grin on his handsome face.
“Such a creeper,” I mumble as my hands slide up his solid chest to his shoulders, pulling him down to meet me in a quick kiss.
“Only for you,” he whispers against my lips before he deepens the kiss.
I’m breathless by the time he pulls back. “You sure we have to leave?” I joke, licking the taste of our kiss off my bottom lip.
Nate’s deep growl has me clenching my thighs together. I was joking before, but now I’m debating if we could actually skip.
Or at least be late.
“Trust me, if I thought we could get away with staying home and getting you naked, I would do it in a heartbeat.”
I roll my eyes with a mock dramatic sigh. “Fine. Whatever.” Pushing past Nate, I start walking down the hallway. I let out another yelp when Nate swats my ass hard.
His chuckle follows me into the hallway. “Such a smartass,” he comments under his breath.
A smile that happens much more often than it used to pull my lips up as I grab my purse and coat. “Okay, I’m ready.”
It doesn’t take long until we arrive at the restaurant and are taken back to the private room, where we’ll have dinner with everyone.
The server pulls the door open, and we step inside.
After a round of greetings to everyone already seated at the table, Nate and I settle into the far end.
Benny is across from me with a wide, infectious smile.
“Benny, you look great! Happy birthday!” I hand him the gift bag filled with a few classic vinyl records he’s been looking for. Finding them was another thing Nate helped me with. I can’t wait until Benny sees them. He’ll be so excited.
Benny really does look good. I’m so proud of how hard he’s worked.
And at the relationship he’s built with Nate.
I smile as I watch them chat. I can’t hear what they’re saying, but it makes me ecstatic to witness how close they are.
Benny respects Nate and Nate cares for Benny like he’s his younger brother who still needs a father figure.
And if I’m being honest, Benny probably does, so that’s fitting.
Nate says something that causes Benny’s grin to widen, and he nods enthusiastically. My brow furrows in confusion as Nate pushes his chair back and stands.
“Can I have everyone’s attention, please?”
Once everyone at the table is silent, and all eyes are on Nate, he continues.
“First, thank you all for coming to Benny’s birthday dinner. This has been quite the year for him, and Olive and I are so proud of the man he’s becoming in this new chapter of his life.”
Nate reaches down and grabs my hand. Pulling me out of my chair and into his side, his hand slides down my back to rest on my waist.
“And speaking of new chapters, Benny and I planned a little something special for tonight.”
I glance at my brother in bewilderment, but he just gives me the goofiest smile. When I turn back to Nate, he’s starting to kneel beside me. My hand not held in his flies to cover my mouth as cheers erupt from around the table.
When everyone quiets, Nate reaches behind him for the ring box Benny hands him. As he opens it, tears trail down my cheeks.
“Olive, will you make me the luckiest and happiest man in the world and be my wife?”
The ability to form words has left my brain, so all I can do is nod.
His shoulders slump in relief. As if there was any chance I would say no to this man.
After Nate slips the gorgeous princess cut diamond ring on my finger, he surges to his feet and seals his lips to mine in a bruising kiss.
I’m so overcome with joy that I momentarily forget that we’re in a room filled with family and friends until their cheers finally infiltrate my brain. Pulling back from Nate, I bite my lip.
His fiery gaze is locked on mine. “Olive, prepare for me to make you the happiest you’ve ever been.”
I cup his face in my palms and run my thumbs over his cheeks. “I already am, Nate.” A shaky breath leaves my parted lips as I smile up at him. “I already am.”