Epilogue
KILLIAN
“I’m so proud of you, darling,” Gran gushes. “Every single painting is perfect. I wish I can buy all of them.”
“Thanks, Gran.”
“I’m going to hang it right in the living room, so everyone has to look it.”
“You mean Mom and Dad have to look at it.”
She smiles slyly. “Perhaps.”
I look up, searching for Caroline in the dark, crowded gallery. I find her immediately, talking to her Aiden as they stand by the painting he’s bought.
The showcase is a hit. All the paintings have sold, which makes my agent very happy.
Caroline excuses herself from Aiden and weaves through the crowd back to us.
She’s wearing a tight black dress that’s completely backless except for the string of gold chain attaching one sleeve to the other and running down her back.
I’m going to enjoy taking it off her as much as I enjoyed watching her put it on.
“Gerry, Aiden was just telling me the two of you had quite the conversation,” Caroline says.
“He’s a sweet boy,” Gran says. “Too bad he’s single.”
“Please don’t meddle,” I say.
Gran looks at me innocently. “I won’t! He’s not my grandson. Now, where is Lilith?”
Gran looks around for Lilith and finally spots her in the crowd. With a wave, she goes to talk to her, and I wrap an arm around Caroline, pulling her against me.
“I’m so glad this is over,” I say.
“Me, too. I hated seeing you all stressed.”
I kiss the top of her head, breathing in her scent. She’s spent most of the night talking to the guests and while I love that for her, I’ve missed having her next to me.
“I can’t wait until we’re home and I can take you out of this dress,” I say, letting the back of my trail over her bare back.
“Be thankful you didn’t see the dress I was actually going to wear,” Caroline says with a sly grin.
Before I can ask her which dress she’s talking about, Wes walks up to us. “You’re my friend and I want to support you, but how will you feel if I leave and catch you at the after party?”
“Wes, there is no after party,” I say.
“Your grandmother just invited us.”
“How can this woman party like she’s in her twenties?” I look at Caroline as if she has the answers.
“Did I hear you say you’re leaving?” Lavinia Callahan-Maddox appears out of nowhere. “Wes, we literally just got here.”
Something has to be said about it being a small world because I just found out tonight that Wes is actually Lavinia’s cousin. All those years of doing Roman’s tattoos and he ends up marrying my friend’s cousin.
“Look, Jules and Drew are also here.” Lavinia turns, waving at her brother and the short blonde next to him. They appear to be having a heated discussion.
Lavinia turns to me. “I am in love with your work. Roman never told me and now I want one for our home, but they’re all sold.”
“Killian can do a custom piece,” Caroline offers eagerly. “He does that sometimes.”
Both of them look at me in expectation and I have to reluctantly agree. Once Wes and Lavinia leave, I turn to Caroline.
“What do you say you and I sneak out the back?” I offer.
“What about the after party?” Caroline asks, her eyes sparkling.
“You and I can have our own after party.”
“You’ve convinced me.”
I lean down to kiss her. “I love being a bad influence on you.”