Epilogue
EPILOGUE
ONE YEAR LATER
Lula had just wrapped up the Breakfast Show and handed over the reins to the next presenter when her broadcast assistant buzzed through to let her know that Tristan was on the phone for her.
She picked up the line in the studio, already smiling at the thought of hearing his voice. He’d nearly made her late again that morning by dragging her back into bed after her shower and she was still buzzing from his intensive attention.
‘Hello, beautiful, great show,’ he said, the sound of his voice sending waves of lustful need straight to those still aching parts of her.
‘Thank you. How come you were listening? I thought you had a meeting with your new programmer this morning?’
Tristan’s new educational open source software enterprise had gone from strength to strength since he’d set it up a year ago and it was unusual for him to take a working morning off.
‘Grab your stuff and come and meet me outside. Don’t worry, I’ve cleared it with Caitlin, she knows I’ve got plans for you today.’
A zing of excitement travelled up her spine. ‘What plans? ’
‘You’ll see. Just get your sexy arse out here asap.’
When she emerged into the cool spring air, she found him leaning against their car with his arms folded across his broad chest and a wide smile on his face.
‘Where are we going?’ she asked, desperate to know what he had in store for her. She loved the surprises he cooked up – he had a real knack for knowing exactly what she’d enjoy.
That was one of the things she loved most about him, that he got her.
‘We’re celebrating your Best Breakfast Radio Show Presenter nomination by going on a road trip. I’ve booked a room at the Burgh Island hotel in Devon for tonight.’
‘Ooh, I’ve always wanted to stay there!’ she said, the buzz of excitement making her voice squeaky.
He smiled. ‘I know.’
Four hours later they had their trouser legs rolled up to their knees and were wading through the cold, shallow seawater between the mainland and Burgh Island.
‘We could have taken the tractor across with the luggage,’ Tristan said, smirking as he caught her frowning at the icy cold water.
‘No, no, I wanted to walk,’ she said, teeth chattering, batting away his amusement. ‘It’s good for the health to get your feet in the cold sea.’ She drew in a deep lungful of the briny air and gave him an imperious look.
He raised an eyebrow and snorted. ‘You and your factual gobbledegook.’
Even though the sun was shining, the island wasn’t busy with tourists and it was so quiet the only sounds they could hear were the gentle lapping of the sea and the cries of the seagulls overhead.
Once they’d made it onto dry land and checked in at the opulent Art Deco hotel, Tristan led her over to the other side of the island so they could look out at the unbroken expanse of sea.
Lula took a deep breath as she gazed out at the endless blue-grey of the horizon. ‘It’s like being at the edge of the world,’ she said.
She turned to smile at him to find he was giving her such a loving look her heart nearly leapt out of her chest.
Before she could say anything else, he surprised her by dropping to his knee and pulling a small, black box out of his pocket.
‘What are you doing?’ she asked, even though she knew.
She knew.
His gaze held hers steadily as he flipped open the box to reveal a square cut diamond ring. It was the most beautiful thing she’d seen in her life.
Words failed her and she began to shake with excitement as she stared at him.
Luckily, Tristan knew exactly what to say.
‘I wanted to do this away from the distractions of the city, where it could just be the two of us. Alone together. I love you, Lula, and I want to spend the rest of my life getting to love you a bit more each day. Will you marry me?’
Tears filled her eyes as she experienced the most exquisite sense of peace and serenity. This is how it was meant to be, being here with him on equal terms, being sure, being happy.
‘Yes,’ she said. ‘I will.’