Epilogue
SUMMER
My mother’s wedding planning was a brief whirlwind of dress shopping, alterations, invitations, and booking the venue for the soonest possible date.
Miraculously, she and Adam managed to snag the stone quarry, their dream venue.
For their ceremony, they’ve kept things simple and a bit rustic but completely beautiful.
Neither of them wanted a lavish wedding or a ton of guests.
They also didn’t want to wait, practically chomping at the bit to say their vows so they could hop on a plane and go on another adventure together—this time, on their honeymoon.
So they snagged the first date in September that was available, and here we are.
I can’t say I blame them. I’m excited for my wedding, but even more excited for my honeymoon with Noah.
Assuming he proposes to me. Someday.
He’s made jokes about getting me a ring before, but hopefully, there was a bit of truth to them.
While Adam reads his vows, Christine dabs at her tears beside me. As soon as she and my mother met, they hit it off right away just as I expected, so naturally, Christine and David were invited to the wedding. Mom invited Killian, Victoria, and Aries too, but none of them could make it.
For Victoria’s sake, that’s probably for the best. I can’t imagine she’d want to attend someone else’s wedding ceremony after her broken engagement. She seems to be doing surprisingly well, though. She’s even been pleasant to be around at times. Unless Aries is nearby, of course.
Mom’s voice quakes when she starts reading her vows, and Noah squeezes my hand. I flash him a grateful smile and Christine shoves a tissue into my hand before she quickly honks into another. David keeps a comforting arm around her shoulders.
“They’re just so sweet together,” she murmurs. I’m glad my mother has found such a great friend in Christine already.
We opted not to tell Noah’s parents about the fake-dating part of our history. Noah reassured me they wouldn’t care anyway, and the only one who would—Victoria—already knows everything.
A camera flashes as the wedding photographer snaps another photo. Those will come in handy later when I’m home and putting the final touches on my live painting, which I’ll start during the cocktail hour.
For the millionth time since I quit working for Plus One a few weeks ago, I’m reminded of how grateful I am to be doing what I love full-time. Even more thankful that Noah is willing to support me now that we’re moving in together.
We’re moving in together. The reality still hasn’t totally sunk in. But I’m already eager to move my stuff in tomorrow. Prick will be thrilled to spend so much time with Noah, and I’m unbelievably excited to get to spend every day with him.
When the officiant announces that Adam and Mom are now husband and wife, we jump to our feet and burst into applause. Happy tears sting, and Noah tugs me to him.
Once they turn to face their guests, Mom beams at me.
I love how happy she looks. For months after my dad died, she couldn’t get out of bed.
She lost the love of her life, and slowly picked up the pieces of her broken heart, finding other joys in life, assuming she’d never love anyone else.
My dad would be so happy she’s happy. So am I.
As soon as Mom and Adam make their way down the makeshift aisle, they’re whisked away by the photographer.
I’m sure we’ll be summoned for photos soon as well, and afterward, I’ll start my first live painting.
I’ve never painted with an audience before, and I’m a bit nervous but more giddy than anything else.
This is what I do for a living now. I’m an artist. Exactly what I’ve always wanted to be.
“Oh, I can’t wait for your wedding!” Christine gushes, throwing her arms around me and then Noah.
Before either of us can remind her we’re not engaged, Christine pulls David in the direction of the tent for the cocktail hour as the other guests mill away from their seats.
But Noah doesn’t loosen his grip on me. He leans down and murmurs, “Your mother suggested I propose tonight. At the reception.”
My eyes nearly pop out of my head. At the reception? That’s the last thing I want. Today is about Mom and Adam, not me and Noah. “And what did you say?”
“I told her I couldn’t. It’s her special day. You both deserve your own moment—her wedding, your proposal.”
I smile, nuzzling into his chest. He knows me well enough now to read my mind. “Thank you. That’s perfect.”
“Besides, you told me you want to wait until we’ve been together for a year.”
I pull back a little to look up at him. “Um. About that.”
“Um what?” He raises a cocky brow at me.
“Wipe that smirk off your face.” I poke him in the side playfully. “But maybe I would be okay with getting engaged a little earlier.”
“So like . . . tomorrow?” He’s joking, but—
“If you had a proposal planned for tomorrow, then I wouldn’t be against that.”
Somehow, he doesn’t act surprised by my answer. He nods. “Hmm. Noted.”
“Do you already know how you’re going to do it?”
“I’m not telling you anything. It has to be a surprise.” He tugs me toward the spot in the quarry where Mom and Adam are posing for photos. “Come on. Let’s go congratulate your mom, take some photos, and then you’ve got work to do.”
He grins at me. Noah has always believed in me, and I’m starting to realize it was his unwavering belief in me that helped me believe in myself.
After the reception, Noah and I help clean up, and we don’t get home until darkness has fallen. My body is exhausted, but my mind is still running on adrenaline.
I completed my first live painting today, and the reception was incredible.
Way better than I ever imagined. Guests murmuring their guesses amongst each other about what I could possibly be painting, then gasping minutes later when the image finally started to come together.
I’ll put the finishing touches on it when the photographer sends me photos from the ceremony, but I’m happy with it so far.
Not to mention, two guests asked if they could hire me for a cousin’s wedding and a vow renewal ceremony. Noah whipped out business cards he had secretly made for me, and I’m pretty sure I’ve never loved him more than in that moment.
When I finally realize we’re pulling into his driveway, I stiffen. “I have to go home. I need to check on Prick.”
“We will,” Noah assures me.
A U-Haul truck sits in his driveway, the back open and the interior empty. What the hell?
“Noah, what’s going on?”
At last, he puts the car in Park, races to open my door, and helps me out, wearing a huge grin. “Killian, Vee, and Aries agreed to move your stuff in while we were at the wedding.”
“They did?” If I hadn’t already cried a million times today, my vision would be blurry again.
Noah nods, practically bouncing and giddy like an excited puppy while he leads me inside. “Welcome home, Summer.”
“That was so nice of them. We need to pay them back.”
“Trust me, they’ll all cash in on a favor soon enough.”
Boxes line the entryway. A new bookshelf has been assembled in the living room, boxes labeled Books stacked in front of it. Wow. They really went above and beyond for me. I’m not sure what kind of favors they could ask of me that would come close to repaying them.
New picture frames have been hung on the walls in the hallway. When I notice the art inside them, my heart stops.
I drop Noah’s hand and race to the first painting, grazing my fingertips over the frame. Tears blur the image.
A quaint cottage in the shadow of a distant castle, a babbling creek between them. Above them both, in the sky streaked with the pinks and oranges of sunset, a dragon descends.
My art. This is my art. One of the scenes that Noah secretly commissioned me to draw. He had the piece printed on this giant canvas, framed it, and hung it on the wall.
As I make my way down the hall, there’s another. And another. He’s decorated the entire house—our house—with my art.
By the time I reach the end of the hallway, tears coat my cheeks. In the kitchen, the overhead lights are off, the only illumination coming from small, flickering candles.
Three shadowy figures sneak toward the kitchen door, but they don’t make it out of the house in time.
“Hey!” I call, half-cheerful, half-sobbing. I try to thank them for moving my stuff in, but the words won’t leave my mouth.
They all wince once they realize they’ve been caught.
“Shit, sorry!” Killian calls to Noah.
“We were going to leave, but I got worried the candles would burn your house down,” Victoria explains. “I thought we would just sneak out the back—”
“But then Killian’s sleeve caught on fire,” Aries explains.
“And then Vee’s hair caught on fire while she was trying to put out the fire on my sleeve—”
“Relax.” Noah chuckles and holds up both palms. “Thanks for moving Summer’s stuff in and setting this up.”
Right. The candles sitting in a half-circle on the floor. “Setting up what?”
But Noah doesn’t answer me. Aries picks up a candle and cups it in his hand, after which Victoria and Killian follow suit. Killian holds his candle out at a safe distance.
The three of them are smiling at me, and frankly, it’s kind of creepy.
“All right. Is this some weird cult thing? Noah, I thought you were joking about that—”
In the circle of candlelight, Noah drops to one knee.
A strangled sob that’s half-gasp, half-scream of delight bursts from my chest.
“Summer, it feels like I’ve been waiting a lifetime to ask you this question.
” In his hands, he cups a small black box.
My heart nearly stops when he opens it, revealing a diamond ring that takes my breath away.
“I love you, and I want to spend the rest of my life with you. Cheering for you, chasing you, comforting you. Whatever you need, I want to be that for you. So.” He takes my hand and squeezes, his own eyes shiny. “Summer, will you marry me?”
“Yes!” I fling myself at him before the final word has fully left his lips.
He laughs, standing up with me and holding me to him.
A chorus of cheers echo around us and Killian shouts, “Hell yeah!”
Noah parts from me just long enough to slide the ring on my finger and discard the box before he wraps me up in his arms again. My favorite place to be.
“We volunteer to be your bridesmaids,” Killian announces.
“Groomsmen,” Victoria corrects him.
“Fine. The three of us volunteer to be your groomsmen.”
Victoria sighs but doesn’t bother correcting him again.
“Thank you,” I manage.
Killian groans. “Noah is going to be such a groomzilla.”
Noah leans over to good-naturedly punch Killian’s arm. “The worst you’ve ever seen.”
“We can handle it,” Aries promises, smiling at both of us.
Victoria nods her agreement. “If you need anything, tell us. We’re here to help.”
“Is this your way of making up for stalking and terrorizing me?” I tease her.
“Yep. And once your wedding is over, we’re even.” Victoria grins at me. I officially have her full approval.
Not only do I get to spend the rest of my life with the man I love most, I get another family. A chaotic, partially insane, welcoming, loving family that looks out for each other, even if that means committing crimes.
I laugh. “I’ll take that.”
Noah draws my attention back to him with a finger hooked under my chin. At the same time, we both blurt, “I love you.”
He grins and sweeps me up in a kiss that makes my heart burst.
I’m so glad I let the accidental intruder in my home live. An accidental intruder turned clumsy, amateur, thoughtful, caring stalker. The most incredible man I’ve ever met who, someday soon, will be my husband.
Not ready to say goodbye to Noah and Summer? Read the exclusive spicy bonus scene here.
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