EPILOGUE
Five months later…
Kross looks around in awe of his exquisitely decorated house after the last of his guests leaves. “Still can’t believe it.”
“Congratulations again, baby.” I sit on the sofa and reach a glass to him.
He sits beside me, and we drink together after a toast. Then he places our glasses on the coffee table and pulls me down, stretching out on the sofa. “It’ll be lonely here by myself.”
“Well, it’ll be like at your condo or my place, where we spend some evenings together and chill on the weekends.”
“Or…” He caresses my arm. “You could move in; help me turn this house into a home. Make it ours .”
I ease up to stare into his eyes. “Are you serious?”
He smiles. “Of course I am, baby. Move in with me.”
“You don’t think it’s too fast?”
“Davi, we’ve been together for six months. After a month, I wanted to move you into the condo, but I decided to wait until the house finished.”
“Damn, really?” I giggle.
“Yeah. I’m that crazy about you. I’ve been serious from the jump. I’m in it for the long run. I’m talking about making you my wife and having babies.”
My body tingles at the certainty in his eyes and deep voice. “You really want all that with me, Kross?”
“Davi.” He strokes my cheek. “I want to spend my life with you. You’re mine. I’m yours. So what do you say?”
“Yes,” I answer in a near whisper, so in love with him. “Wait, am I saying yes to a proposal right now?”
“Shorty, when I propose, everyone we love will be there. I’m asking you to move in with me?”
I chuckle. “Yes, I’ll move in with you.”
He kisses me. “Perfect. I’ll bring whatever you need and store the rest. I hope you have a lot of energy left for tonight ‘cause we’re fucking all over this house. We’re blessing every corner.”
“Ooh.” I wiggle. “Where do you want me first?”
“Take off your clothes, and bend your fine self over the sofa. I want to eat that sexy ass.”
“Do not cry,” I whisper while staring in the mirror. But it’s hard not to cry every minute when it’s the night of my first solo launch.
“Look at you,” Trishell squeals as she enters the room, admiring my styled curls and burgundy dress that’s part of my line. “You’re gorgeous, cuz. I’m so proud of you.”
“Don’t do that, Trish. You’ll make me cry.”
“Oh, honey.”
We hug tightly, and she rubs my back to help me compose myself.
“Okay,” I breathe out. “Have to get going.”
She nods. “You do. Kross looks so sharp in his suit.”
“Yeah, my man is sexy,” I giggle.
She leans her head to the side. “You know? I’ve never seen you this happy. It’s a different kind of vibe.”
I expel a relaxed hum. “I’ve never felt this with anyone, sis. It feels better than right. It’s as if I’ve met my soulmate.”
“Aww, girl. That’s beautiful. I’m rooting for y’all.”
We giggle as we embrace again, then head downstairs.
Kross beams at me. “Vous êtes si belle.”
“Well, damn,” Trishell gasps. “He’s fine, successful, and he knows French? Girl, I’d be having phone sex in Paris too.”
“Trish!”
She splays her hands and struts off, patting Kross’s arm on the way out to the car.
“Geez,” I mutter and shake my head.
Kross chuckles. “Ready, baby? It’s your big night.”
“I’m nervous. God, Kross. What if the line bombs?”
“Hey.” He gives me a serious look while holding my hands. “It’ll do well. You’re a talented designer.”
That relaxes my body. “No matter what happens, thank you for supporting me.”
“I got you.” He presses a gentle kiss on my cheek. “Now let’s go. Everyone’s waiting.”
“Okay.”
He drives to the La Monte store downtown. After parking, we approach the decorated entrance, and I see my family and co-workers waiting.
“Here she is!” Iree squeals.
Everyone claps, their eyes full of genuine love.
“It’s your moment, cuz.” Trishell jerks my arm and moves aside with our family.
Kross is about to step aside, but I grip his hand tighter. “Stay with me.”
He looks into my eyes and nods. “Always.”
“Davia,” Chavonne beams, coming over to embrace me. “Everything looks so good. Congratulations, hon. Fashion critiques are loving the styles. I wanted to surprise you after the celebration, but know that early sales have been pretty great.”
“Really?” I gasp.
She smiles brighter. “Five thousand orders so far.”
“Oh my god!” I jump in the spot.
“Congrats, baby,” Kross cheers.
I throw my arms around him, hugging him tightly before sharing the joy with my family and La Monte team.
Mom stares at me in admiration, looking so flawless in the pantsuit from my line. “Congrats, honey. You did the dang thing.” She hugs me tightly.
“Thank you, Mom.”
“I’m so proud of you,” she whispers at the side of my head before letting go.
I start to tear up, embracing my grandparents and everyone else.
Following countless pictures and discussing the styles with critics and consumers at the event, we head to Krossfire for the afterparty on the now-opened rooftop lounge.
Kross and I slow dance to Butterflies by Isaiah Falls and Joyce Wrice while everyone chats and enjoys themselves.
I love the intense way my man stares at me like he’s mesmerized and wouldn’t have peace if he lost me. Without a doubt, I feel the same.
“Somehow, I knew,” he rasps, squeezing my waist.
The statement makes me pinch my brows together. “Knew what?”
“That a higher power sent you for me.”
“Is that so?” I smirk.
“Mmhm. You walked into the club opening night, and a fire lit inside me that hasn’t gone out since.”
I swallow hard. “That’s exactly what happened to me when our eyes met.”
He squints. “You played it off. Acted like you wanted nothing to do with me.”
“I wasn’t single, remember?”
“Nah,” he snorts. “I forgot all about that. You were mine from that night.”
“We crossed some lines.”
“I’d cross them again and again if it always leads to this moment.” He kisses me and bends a knee, holding my left hand.
My eyes enlarge. My mouth drops. “Oh shit.”
The music stops. My family and his swoon excitedly.
“It’s happening,” Trishell and Iree squeal, confirming they were in on the plan.
“Finally,” Preston blows out. “Couldn’t hide it for much longer.”
“Shhh,” Mama G quiets everyone.
Kross exhales deeply, staring into my eyes. “Davi, my whole world changed when you walked into Krossfire . Getting to know you, I realized even more that you’re the woman I dreamed of sharing my life with. I’ll always support, cherish, and love you until my last breath. Can I continue doing that as your husband?”
“Yes!” I scream without hesitation, drawing loud cheers from our family and friends.
Kross slips the gorgeous white gold, twisted vine, oval diamond ring onto my finger, and I throw my arms around for a sloppy kiss. He straightens and lifts me off my feet, twirling me around while kissing me deeply.
The second he sets me down, everyone crowds us. The men shake his shoulder repeatedly for the excellent proposal while the women shower me with joy. Mom hugs me tightly and cradles my wet cheeks.
When Kross and I return to each other, he kisses me again and cloaks me in his loving arms.
Life unfolds in wild ways. We may have had a complex beginning, but I’m looking forward to the future we’ll carve out together.