Epilogue
Ru
One Year Later
As I walk between the heavily laden fragrant vines, my hand clasped in Nate’s, I can’t stop a wide smile spreading across my face.
“What is it?” he asks with his own smile, the one that lights my world.
“I was just thinking how happy I am and how I’m the luckiest man alive.”
Nate shakes his head but I know he’s not disagreeing with me. “If I concede that you’re the luckiest then it makes my luck worth less.” He pulls me to a stop and cups my cheek with his palm. He presses a gentle kiss to my lips. “And we can’t have that, can we?”
He pulls back and I get lost in his green eyes for a moment.
‘C’mon, our host will think we’ve got lost.”
Even then we take our time as we walk back to the main house, where we’ve been invited to dinner.
We’re staying at the Gran Amor Vineyard. Our host, Luis Eduardo, is gracious and welcoming, allowing us to stay in the guest cottage he has available. From the decor of the cottage you can tell Luis has a romantic soul.
We’re on our way to New York City for Chelsea’s wedding, but first we’re having a few days by ourselves.
It was Noah who set it up for us. He recently achieved his dream of becoming a publishing agent by signing his first client, Rafe, and is about to sign with a second. Rafe is a British author who now lives in Barcelona, and Luis is the cousin of Constantin, one of Rafe’s boyfriends. When Nate learned that Constantin and Luis were part of the Otero wine producing family he started asking questions of Noah. It didn’t take him long to get an invitation to visit Luis, who set up his own vineyard further along the valley on the edge of the Navarre region, though he also mostly produces Rioja.
Nate is uncharacteristically quiet as we stroll along.
“What’s up, darling?” I squeeze his hand.
He stops as we reach the bottom of the steps up to the terrace, and he looks out across the valley.
“I never wanted a career. I didn’t need one. I still don’t. But I see how you’ve developed Harrington investments and I’m kinda jealous.”
“Jealous? Of me?” I scoff a little, but then I see the serious look on Nate's face and feel guilty.
“I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to dismiss your feelings, but I can’t quite believe you’d be envious of me.” Nate is charming, beautiful, confident, and rich. There can’t be anything he wants.
“I don’t have a legacy,” he says quietly and I start to understand. Since taking over as CEO a year ago, I’ve done quite a lot with Harrington investments. I’ve given Cieran, as Chief Operating Officer of the Australian branch, more authority and responsibility. I’ve also installed a COO for the London branch. This has given me more time to step back and look at the company as a whole. As a result, I’ve opened an office in Hong Kong, again with a COO in charge, and I’m contemplating opening one in the States in the next twelve months. Especially after meeting with Shirley Wall when I met Nate’s family at the end of last year.
“You know I wouldn’t have been able to do any of what I’ve achieved without you, darling. And you even managed to finally impress my father.” It’s true, when I explained to my father how Nate had helped, he mellowed a lot towards him. Also, the fact that he wasn’t shunned by society for having a gay son, and in reality—as Chase predicted—no one really cared, helped as well. I can’t say he’s super warm towards him, but then he isn’t with me either. Though my mother has surprised me and genuinely likes Nate, and is always pleased to see him. It’s even improved my relationship with her. I press myself against Nate’s side, showing my gratitude with my presence.
“But that’s yours, as it should be. I want to do something for myself. Make a difference.”
One thing I’ve learned about Nate is that he rarely wants to talk about something unless he’s thought it through first, so I know he already has an idea.
“What do you have in mind?”
“Promise you won’t laugh?”
Super-confident Nate asking me not to laugh? This is new, but it gives me an inkling of how important it is to him.
“Of course,” I assure him and he turns to face me.
“I thought I could teach teenagers about investing. Most young people have no idea what’s involved, and most of them think it’s just for those who already have money. But it doesn’t have to be. Even a small amount can make a difference.”
He carries on explaining for a few more minutes, and I can tell he’s passionate about it.
“I think it’s a great idea,” I say when he comes to a stop.
“Do you?”
“Yes, of course I do.”
“Thanks, will you help me look into it when we get home?”
I nod, and he pulls me into a hug and a long, lingering kiss. I love that he calls England home too. We’ll soon have our own place together as well. So far we’ve either been at mine in London or the place Nate bought in Oxford. I sold my small apartment in Oxford earlier this year. We’ve been waiting for the right place in London and recently we heard about a penthouse apartment that came on the market.
We’ve been to see it a few times, and now we’re waiting for the sale to go through. I admit my eyes watered a little when I saw the price, but Nate was ambivalent about it. “It’s only money,” he said with the confidence of someone who can make more as he looked out at the amazing view across the city from the rooftop terrace, and I knew it would be the perfect place for us.
Conversation, over dinner and the delicious paella that Luis has cooked for us, soon turns to wine. Nate knows his Rioja and tells Luis he wanted to visit as he’d heard that his Rioja was superior to that produced by his uncle at Castillo Otero.
The rumours were not unfounded, it is delicious, and the evening soon turns into a wine tasting session. After he’s tasted each bottle, he orders several crates for us, my family, and his family and friends, and arranges to have them shipped.
“Nate, don’t you think you should stop now, before you buy the whole vineyard?” I joke.
“That’s a great idea!” he announces loudly. I notice a slight glassiness to his eyes and realise my boyfriend is drunk. Not a state I’ve seen him in often.
“How about you sleep on that decision?” I suggest pulling him to his feet.
“Good idea,” he slurs slightly, as he sways. I thank Luis for the dinner and wine and pull Nate with me back to the guest cottage.
I help him undress and put him to bed. He’s already asleep as I lie down beside him, and I watch him for a few minutes, gently snoring in a way that’s endearing. I truly am the luckiest man alive.
Thank you so much for reading!