Epilogue
Finn
The Deering Library is every bit as impressive in person as it is in photographs. With the medieval-style windows and arched
doorways, the library looks a little like a castle. No wonder it’s her favorite. And, of course, it makes perfect sense that
this is where I’m waiting for my girlfriend. She is a book lover, after all. Not to mention, quite the writer. I finally wore
her down and she let me read the first draft of her manuscript. It’s as insightful and clever as she is, though not nearly
as sexy.
I cannot wait to get her to my hotel room.
Students are buzzing around me, holding up phones in every direction.
Let them take their pictures, their videos.
My parents have agreed that the most recent tabloids have been an improvement to my wilder days.
Certainly, dating an American is a bit of a scandal, but it’s the kind that has most people excited.
The ones who aren’t? I’ve never listened to people like that anyway.
I look at my watch, anxious to see her. It’s only been a fortnight since we were last together, but any amount of time apart
leaves me restless and aching for her. She said her study group would be getting out around now. She’s expecting to have to
drive to the airport to meet me. Doesn’t she know by now how much I love to catch her off guard?
The library doors open and there she is, her blond hair glowing in the springtime sun. She’s got on a mint-green sweater with
a neck so wide, it slips down, giving me a view of that milky shoulder I’m dying to kiss. I have plenty of time to drink her
in, since she doesn’t see me at first—she’s too busy chatting with her friends. But one of them notices the commotion on campus
and pulls on her sleeve with one hand, pointing to me with the other.
Hannah drops her backpack and charges down the stairs, running at full speed to leap into my arms and wrap her legs around
my waist. She’s the only person on this planet my security detail will allow to attack me like this.
“Hello, my darling,” I say into her hair, breathing in her scent, living to have her in my arms again. She’s holding me so
tightly; I feel whole again.
I let her down and she stands on her tiptoes, an indication she isn’t about to wait another second to kiss me.
I lean toward her, and we both ignore the squeals from the crowd as our mouths reunite.
Hands splayed on her back, I pull her into me.
She combs her fingers through my hair and tickles my neck.
This is a moment that will be all over social media in a matter of minutes.
Quite frankly, it deserves that kind of recognition because it is one hell of a kiss.
I give her a little dip before we pull apart, which makes the crowd go wild.
Our foreheads still touching, her blond hair shielding us a little from the rest of the world, she whispers, “Hi.”
“Hi,” I say, matching her grin. “Your fan club is really growing.”
“These people ignore me every other day of the week. I’m pretty sure this is for you.”
“Your fan club back in the British Isles is thriving. It’s only fair I get some attention in your country.”
We’ve already made plans for her to spend the entire summer with me at Inveresk. We’ll go to Caro and Duffie’s wedding; we’ll
try to land-yacht again (this time I’ll be the driver); we’ll attend the Highland games and go riding and be together for
weeks on end. The future has never been so exciting to me. I’ve never lived this much for the now and for the when.
Hannah takes my hand as we begin to walk across campus to where our car is waiting. It’s easier to ignore the bustle surrounding
us when I’ve got her to focus on. But she still isn’t accustomed to this kind of scrutiny.
I give her hand a squeeze. “Is this all too much yet? Is it bothering you?”
“Is what bothering me?” She bats her eyelashes coyly at me. “Our superpower is existing in a bubble within the world. I’m very happy in my bubble.”
“I’m very happy with you,” I say, giving her a little tug so I can kiss the top of her head.
Most of my life may have been chosen for me, but this one choice I’ve made for myself, the choice to be with Hannah, is the
most important one.
I’m beyond lucky she chose me too.