Epilogue
Two Months Later
“This is so cheesy,” Skye said when she walked into Ash’s apartment on Valentine’s Day and saw the red roses in a vase, the heart-shaped box of chocolates on the table next to it, the candles lit and table set.
“I’m allowed to be cheesy. Do you know how long I fantasized about giving you any of those things on Valentine’s Day? I went to all those stupid dances in school hoping you’d be there for me to ask you on the floor with me and you never showed.”
“Oh, come on,” she said, moving closer to give him a hug, then a light kiss on the lips. “You’re making that up. You loved going to them and getting all that attention.”
He held his fingers up in a tiny pinch. “Maybe a little.”
“That’s what I thought. But this is very sweet and I shouldn’t have said that to you. Now I know why you told me I couldn’t come over until you were ready.”
“I had to get dinner,” he said.
“You mean you didn’t cook?”
“Nope. Got us some barbecue, just like our first date. Even got it at Fire Mission. You know, being sentimental and all too.”
“Am I getting a brisket sandwich?”
“See, you remember what you ate. I’ve got double of what we had that night. This way you can eat some of mine and I’ll have some of yours.”
She laughed. “Like a cheesy couple does. I love it.”
“As much as you love me?”
“As much as I love you,” she said, pulling out a chair and sitting.
He went to the kitchen and grabbed the dinner to start bringing it in. “How is the book coming?”
“Good. Better than I thought. I kind of feared I’d freeze up writing it all over again.”
“Not you,” he said. “If I’ve learned one thing about you, it’s that when you want something, when you’re ready, you go all in. You muscle through anything in your way.”
“I do.” She reached for the container holding her sandwich and fries and took half of that with a few fries, then two ribs from the other one and a scoop of mac and cheese. “I’m not sure I ever knew that about myself.”
“We are never too old to learn. Or start a new career.”
“I’m not sure if it’s a new career or not. Maybe just a side gig for now. I should be done with the draft in a few weeks, then I’ll spend some more time going over it. I appreciate Rory sharing his editor with me. And that she was willing to take my book.”
“You’re paying for it, so I don’t know why she wouldn’t take it.”
“Could be many reasons. Maybe her docket is full or I could suck.”
“But you said she read the first few chapters and didn’t think that and even was really helpful already.”
“I did. She was. Maybe I’m just scared.”
“Not you,” he said around a mouthful. “Not the girl climbing out second story windows and tackling danger head on.”
She laughed. “Not anymore. And I hope never again. Only the danger on paper.”
He was never so thrilled as when her last article was printed. Simple facts. A simple story. They caught the arsonist but not how. Not that he was related to her. Not even why he’d done what he had.
Kyle published the article because the story needed closure, but he was pissed that Skye had downplayed everything that was building, ultimately ending their working relationship.
Skye had argued that Sean didn’t deserve that attention. Didn’t deserve the press.
Maybe Kyle wanted her to write it differently, but she wouldn’t, resulting in their last argument. And without Skye or her family, Kyle wasn’t getting that personal information.
She was done with that work.
Ash hoped she stuck to it, but if she didn’t, he’d still support her.
“I can’t wait to read it myself,” he said.
He’d been giving her tips and pointers. She had resources at her disposal for anything she wanted to write.
Between him, her brothers, even his sister’s law background.
“You’ll be the first,” she said. “I promise. And we know I don’t make promises lightly.”
It felt as if it was the perfect timing.
“You don’t. And neither do I, but I’m going to make another one for you.”
He stood up and went to his room and returned.
She kept eating, but was watching him. Watching his actions and motions as if she was trying to read what was going through his mind.
He wasn’t going to keep her waiting and dropped to one knee. “Skye. We know I’ve always had a thing for you.”
She was smiling at him. No fear or surprise in her eyes.
“You have. And deep down, I had one for you too.”
“You could have let me in on that back then.”
“Nah,” she said, shaking her head. “It’s better this way. Stronger.”
“It is,” he said, reaching for her left hand and pulling the ring out from behind his back. “I love you. I want to marry you. I want you in my life permanently. And my promise to you is to never stop loving you. Will you be my wife?”
Her hand was shaking as he slid the ring on, but she wasn’t speaking.
Not that he’d thought she’d say no, but he’d like her to say something.
“Yes. I’ll be your wife. I’ll marry you. And I’ll make you the same promise. I’m never going to stop loving you.”
He stood up and lifted her out of the chair and into his arms, spun her around, and asked, “Even if I piss you off?”
“Even if you piss me off, because you know what? I’m going to do it to you just as much, so we’ve got to keep it fair.”
He placed a loud smacking kiss on her lips. “I like playing fair.”
Then he threw her over his shoulder and marched to his room.
“This isn’t fair,” she screeched. “You’re stronger than me. And I haven’t finished eating yet. I’m hungry.”
He kicked the door shut with his foot. “We can start playing fair after I’ve had my fill of you.”
She landed on the bed with a bounce. “Okay, you’ve got a deal!”
The End!