Epilogue
Two Months Later
S amantha sat in the front passenger seat of Dex’s G Wagon as he drove her… somewhere. She felt for the silk tie around her eyes and her stomach flipped with excitement.
“Where are we going?” she asked for the umpteenth time, though she knew he wouldn’t give her an answer. Everything inside her tingled at the prospect of the unknown.
She heard the click of the signal and felt the car make a right turn.
“If I wanted you to know, you wouldn’t be blindfolded,” he said, his voice sounding deeper when it was all she could focus on.
The car came to a stop and she heard him put the vehicle in park. It was amazing the noises she recognized without sight.
“Sit tight. I’ll come get you,” he said, and opened his car door.
He opened hers and helped her out, guiding her with his arm around her waist, but remaining silent. Building anticipation.
She thought they took an elevator a short way up but she was still lost to her whereabouts.
“Stop,” he said, then she heard him opening a door. “And walk again.” He led her outside… yes, definitely outside, as she felt the slightly cooler air surrounding her.
He turned her body to face whatever direction he wanted her, then let go. “Okay, now you can take the blindfold off.”
She removed the silk tie covering her eyes to see they were at the outdoor movie theater they’d gone to on their first real date. On the screen were the words MARRY ME and in front of her, Dex had lowered himself to one knee.
She gasped, surprise filling her. True, they’d moved in together, and they’d discussed a future, but he’d kept this plan close to his chest. “Dex!”
He opened a small jeweler’s box. Inside was a ring with a traditional round diamond surrounded by smaller stones creating a flowered look, but the center diamond itself was huge.
“Surprise,” he said, a smile on his face.
“I had no idea,” she said, her heart in her throat.
He winked, treating her to that sexy grin she adored. “Now for my speech.”
She held his gaze, so in love she was filled to the brim with it.
Drawing a deep breath, he began. “From the moment I met you, I knew you were the one. I’m just so damned glad fate gave me another shot. I promise to give you all of me and never bail when things are tough. We’ve already had our ups and downs and we know we can face anything together. I love you, Samantha. Will you marry me?”
“Yes!” she squealed as he slid the ring on her finger. Tears of happiness filled her eyes and she suddenly realized they were surrounded by applause… and both of their large families. Her entire crew had flown up from Florida to be there for this special moment.
Dex stood, pulled her into his arms, and swept her into a long, inappropriate-for-company kiss. And neither one of them cared.
They spent the rest of the evening celebrating with their parents, siblings and their spouses, all of them enjoying champagne and hot food Dex had had catered because he’d taken over the entire theater floor. Again. There was also a DJ who arrived to play after the cocktails and though Dex still chose not to dance, he did save her the slow ones. And when he pulled her against him, he took full advantage, his hard body cradling hers as they swayed back and forth.
Ever since she’d healed from the bullet and surgery, life with Dex had been a dream. After the news broke about her shooting and Jeremy, she’d gone through a rough period of ups and downs. She’d been sad for what he’d done, upset for his family, and selfishly worried about Dex and what more negative publicity would mean for his job.
It turned out, she hadn’t needed to be concerned. He’d been ready with an answer. All those conversations he’d had locked in his office had been with Austin and the network head. Dex had wanted out of his contract. He said he had no desire to be in a job that took him away every weekend. And with his dad’s health questionable, he’d wanted to be close to home.
Peter Morgan had been amenable to working out a different deal with Dex. The network head had his own choice for the analyst job on Sunday nights. So Dex Sterling was now a morning co-anchor on a major sports network, replacing the longtime favorite anchor who’d retired.
Life was perfect and after so much drama and pain, she was grateful for the change.
“Where did your mind go?” Dex asked, breaking her out of her musings as he continued to sway with her.
She looked up into his sky blue eyes. “I was thinking about how I’m going to have the most perfect life because I have you. And in return, I promise to give you all of me and an equally amazing life.”
Smiling, he lowered his head and sealed their promises with a long kiss.
Thanks for reading!