Epilogue
Almost Two Years Later
Ali
Tonight was a big night. Not only was it the premier of my film, but it was the first time I’d be doing a book signing in years.
When my book was published last year, it shot to number one in the world on and was a New York Times and USA Today bestseller.
To celebrate its one year anniversary, we were doing a limited edition print with gold foil, sprayed edges, a new dedication, and ten thousand extra words.
I’d be signing copies tonight before the movie premier, and as nervous as I was, I was also excited about it.
It had been so long since I’d engaged with my readers, and it finally felt like a safe space to do so.
Not just because the event was exclusive to my book and film, but also because no one had been on no weird shit for the past year, and people hadn’t been talking about things that had happened in the past. I’d already made my security team aware of the fact that if anything went down that Avery or I was uncomfortable with, we were going to leave, and I would shut the entire event down.
My family and hers had come to Rose Valley Hills to show love and support the film, since this was where my team decided we should do the premier.
I was cool with that because Rose Valley Hills had a lot to offer.
As excited as I was about the signing and movie, neither was what I was looking forward to the most.
What I was most looking forward to was taking my relationship with Avery to the next level.
Professionally, things had been going great for the both of us.
She’d launched her magazine and publishing company a year and a half ago and had already signed ten authors.
Even though I loved publishing independently, I didn’t hesitate to agree to drop a book under my baby’s company next year.
Avery was doing exceptionally well, not just as a journalist but with her company, and her success was what I was most proud of.
I looked myself over in my black tuxedo as Avery opened the bathroom door in our suite.
She had a full glam team, and I’d been anxious to see how everything would come together.
As soon as I turned and saw her, she took my breath away.
The red gown she wore looked like it was painted on.
Her makeup was immaculate, and her hair was pulled up in that bun that gave me the perfect view of her flawless face.
“Wow,” I muttered, frozen in place. “You look absolutely beautiful, honey.”
“Thank you. I had to look my best standing next to the man of the hour.”
As soon as she was close enough for me to, I pulled her into my arms. Before I could kiss her, she covered my mouth with her hand.
“Not yet. I have to give my lip stain time to dry.”
“You got about sixty seconds before I kiss all that shit off.”
Avery laughed, but I was dead serious. When her eyes landed on the limited edition copy of my book on the bed, she squealed and walked over to it.
“It’s here! I wanna see!”
“Go ahead,” I granted, pulling her ring out of my pocket. “Read the dedication.”
She shifted from one foot to the other as she smiled. “I dedicate Stranded with her Soldier to my wife Avery. Thank you for being my muse. Without you, this book wouldn’t have come to fruition. Aww, baby. I—” When she turned and saw me on one knee, she dropped the book.
“You didn’t just inspire the story; you made my heart beat and love again.
You made me trust again. You made me feel again.
” Releasing a shaky breath, I took her left hand into mine.
“I loved you from afar when we were in high school, and now I’m glad I get to love you out loud.
Will you let me love you for the rest of our lives? Will you marry me, honey?”
Her head nodded rapidly as she sniffled. “Yes! Absolutely, positively, yes.”
After sliding the ring onto her finger, I stood and took her into my arms. It felt like a piece of me that had been missing had finally been returned. Writing my first romance novel was challenging but worth it.
And now, I finally had my own happily ever after.
The Beginning
Because True Love Has No End
For more stories based in Jasper Lane:
Grounds 4 Love
Dali the Demolisher
Steeped in his Love
Sweet
The Deed to a Gangsta’s Heart
Always the Baker
The Forbidden Play
SOLID