Epilogue
Owen
One Year Later
There’s not a single cloud in the sky as the sun beats down on the shoreline of Costa Cay, the ocean spanning out in every shade of blue.
It looks almost the same as it did last year, just brighter now because this time, there’s no doubt about what we are.
She’s mine, and I’m hers.
Meadow is stretched out beside me in a beach chair, wearing a turquoise bikini that rivals the color of the glistening waves. She’s tapping on her Kindle with one hand, a pina colada balanced in the other, not a worry in the world.
She’s the cutest thing I’ve ever seen.
Her dark hair is twisted up into a messy bun, a few strands falling loose, and the bridge of her nose and cheeks are dusted with freckles from the sun.
One year later, we’re back in Costa Cay—this time to celebrate Meadow.
I’m still at Cutting Edge Sports and genuinely enjoy my job. But Meadow… she just landed her dream role with a major publishing house.
She gets to read and edit fiction all day—actual books instead of sports columns—with hopes of writing her own romance novel soon.
I remember telling her this time last year that I would follow her to any job she took, but turns out, I didn’t need to. Because I still get to see her every day.
A few months ago, she moved out of her tiny apartment and into my townhome in the city. I still wake up every morning, in complete disbelief that she’s next to me, usually wrapped in my arms.
It all feels like a dream I haven’t woken up from, but each morning, she’s still there. Nuzzling into my chest and placing soft kisses along my skin.
Our portable speaker, half-buried in the sand, switches to the next song— Never Let You Go by Third Eye Blind, drifting through the salty air.
I chuckle to myself as Meadow starts tapping her toes to the beat.
My gaze skims up her sun-kissed legs, slow and unhurried, until my eyes catch on the oval diamond resting on her left hand—glimmering in the sun.
I smile to myself before reaching across the space between us, taking her hand, and brushing my thumb over her knuckles.
Meadow turns her head and grins at me, looking so damn beautiful she almost knocks me out of my chair.
It’s been a little over a month since I got down on one knee and asked Meadow to spend forever with me.
I made sure to keep it simple and romantic, just me and her. No audience or big production. Exactly how she would’ve wanted it.
The way she looked at me, happy tears filling her eyes as she said yes… that’s a moment I’ll carry with me for the rest of my life.
Meadow Brooks.
I still can’t believe it. She’s going to be my wife.
I bump my shoulder lightly against hers, sliding my hand down to her thigh and giving it a gentle squeeze.
“Can you believe you’re actually going to be Mrs. Brooks soon?”
She smiles, lifting her hand toward the sun, her eyes sparkling as the diamond shimmers against the blue sky.
“You sure you’re ready for that?” she teases, a cute chuckle slipping past her lips. “You’ve seen me crash out. I can be a mess sometimes.”
I take her hand, threading my fingers through hers. Her eyes track my movement as I lift our hands to my lips and press a kiss to her skin.
“I love everything about you, Meadow,” I rasp. “All the pieces of you. I can’t wait for the day I get to call you my wife.”
Her cheeks turn pink as her fingers tighten around mine.
“I love you, too,” she says softly, glancing down at the ring as a wide smile tugs at her lips.
“Mrs. Brooks,” she mutters to herself. “I like the sound of that.”
It’s funny how life just seems to work itself out.
A year ago, I called Meadow Mrs. Brooks to tease and flirt with her. But soon, it’s going to become our reality.
I finally understand how it feels to be excited to spend the rest of your life with one person.
We have forever in front of us, and I can’t fucking wait.