Epilogue
JAY
FIVE YEARS LATER
Nova came to a stop in front of the glass sliding doors, her fingers tightening around mine. Her voice trembled when she eventually spoke. “Jay. I don’t think I can do this.”
Releasing her hand, I gripped her shoulders, turning her to face me. “Yes, you can. You’re Nova Thorpe. Everyone here tonight? They want to be here. They love your art, and they love you.” Drawing her into my arms, I brushed my mouth over her ear. “Just like I love your art, and I love you.”
She exhaled a shuddering breath, her eyes darting towards the entrance before they returned to me. “Okay. Okay, I can do this.”
Rubbing the pad of my index finger over the onyx stone mounted on the platinum band of her engagement ring, surrounded by tiny diamonds, I pulled her closer.
Her head rested against my shoulder as I stroked down her back.
“You can do this,” I said. “I know you can, and you know you can. My fiancée is an incredible artist, and I know for a fact that tickets for tonight sold out in less than two days. This gallery showing is all for you, princess. Make the most of it. Remember, everyone is here for you.”
“Yes,” she whispered, and then she straightened up, a determined expression on her face. “Yes. This is my gallery showing, and even if I don’t sell anything, the fact that my art is even here means everything to me. Everything else is just the icing on the cake.”
“It is. Are you ready to go inside?”
She glanced over at me, giving me an uncertain nod. “I think so. I’m not sure I like being publicly on display, though.”
I smiled. “I know. You don’t have to be on display if you don’t want to. People are here to see your art. You can stay in the background, if that’s what you really want.”
“That’s true. They might come up to me because they want to speak to you—”
My brows lifted. “Who wants to speak to an accountant?”
“Jay. Don’t downplay your talent. You’re my accountant, with your very own, very successful firm. Insanely clever as well as insanely hot.”
My heart fucking swelled with everything I felt for my fiancée, and I dipped my head to brush my mouth over hers.
“Superficial attraction doesn’t count.” I wrapped my arms around her, thankful that I could provide a distraction from the upcoming showing.
She’d been worrying about this night for far too long, but I knew she was going to blow everyone away with her art.
“It doesn’t matter who wants to speak to me, anyway.
All I care about is you. This is your night, and you’re going to blow them away. ”
“Thank you.” She held me tightly, her lips skimming over my throat. “I love you.”
Drawing back, I met her gaze. “I love you too. So much. Are you ready to share your art with the world?”
Shaking her head, she gave me a wry smile that I returned instantly. “No. But with you by my side, I guess I can get through anything.”
“You don’t need me to get through anything.” I slid my mouth over hers before turning to face the bright lights of the gallery showcasing her work. “You’re strong enough to face whatever life throws at you. I know you’ll always come out the other side, stronger than ever.”
A smile tugged at her lips. “When you put it that way, the gallery showing doesn’t seem so important.” She paused. “Well…it is, because if we sell anything, it means we have more money to put towards the art therapy classes.”
“Yeah, and your previous students want to see your work. Don’t minimise what you did. You taught them those techniques that might make a difference in their lives.”
A defeated sigh fell from her throat, and I bit back a smile. No matter how much she tried to downplay it, this woman was fucking incredible, and the work she’d done with her art therapy had touched so many people.
She’d achieved her dreams so easily, and I knew that the best was yet to come.
Because she was Nova Thorpe.
My supernova.
My superstar.
THE END