Epilogue
Noah
Eight months later…
"Yong-rae! Yong-rae! Piper Dickinson from Edge News.
'Forced Proximity' is projected to gross between sixty and seventy million dollars over the long weekend, so I've got one question for you.
" The spunky reporter who barely reaches Yong-rae's shoulder leans in with her microphone as if sharing a secret. "How does it feel?"
The grin on Yong-rae's face is blinding, and he proceeds to gush about the film as only a young actor at his first big premiere can.
He praises Rory, whose masterful organization skills kept the production on schedule even with the unexpected interruption. Pinnacle now has her lined up to produce three more movies on their slate.
He praises Tabitha, who stood by his side through the scandal and at almost every press event since. Audiences have been raving about their undeniable chemistry since previews, and there's already Oscar buzz for Tabitha's performance.
He praises Awa, who was instrumental in protecting him when that sleazy nightclub owner tried to end his career before it started. She doesn't represent him now, but he's working with another young lawyer who just joined her firm: Camila Sanchez. I couldn't even be mad when she gave notice at Luxe.
And of course—
"Lastly, I never want to forget to thank my agent, Noah Park, without whom I wouldn't be here. I'd probably still be making fitness videos in my living room to pay my rent," he says, chagrined.
I playfully nudge his elbow with mine.
"If Piper here is right, you won't have to worry about paying rent for a long, long time."
When I see his eyes get misty, I wink and move away while he wraps up the interview. I don't have the heart to tell him his answer sounds more like an acceptance speech, or that he should save some for the next ten reporters waiting to speak with him. He's more than earned this.
"You think he's OK on his own?" Awa asks when I finally reach her side through the sea of people.
She's wearing a coral silk number that cascades down her shoulders. In the back, the fabric skims the red carpet with her every step. In the front, a daring slit shows off her shapely legs, balancing on a pair of silver stilettos I'll ask her to keep on later. I'm the luckiest man in the world.
I lean in and kiss her just behind the ear, relishing the shiver that rocks her body.
"He's doing just fine. Plus, he's not on his own." I nod to Tabitha, who clings to him when she's not taking solo pictures or answering her own set of questions. The love in her eyes is evident; it mirrors my own.
Awa slides her arm in my elbow and we make our way toward the venue's double doors.
"I know that look," she says when I'm quiet for too long. "What's got you so pensive?"
I smile.
"I just…love you, is all," I answer honestly. She beams and leans in for a kiss.
"I love you too."
As usual, those words are music to my ears. Music I almost missed when I left her dorm room all those years ago.
We took our relationship public as soon as the charges against Yong-rae were dropped; neither of us wanted to wait.
Mom was so overwhelmed when I brought her to family dinner, she was close to tears.
Dad had to remind her she still has to be careful with her heart, even though Dr. Liebman assured us her recovery is going well.
It's just so beautiful to see all my boys settling down with such lovely ladies. I guess they're not boys anymore.
I wasn't the only one who had to dab my eyes at her words, and I squeezed Awa's hand under the table.
They certainly aren't boys, Dad had added, his voice gruff. They're accomplished, successful men who were all smart enough to find the right one and hold on tight. I couldn't be prouder.
His approval had nearly broken me, and I heard Cory sniff and Henry clear his throat.
We dug into a delicious meal prepared by Maya this time, though Mom insisted on making the dessert.
We joked, Dad grilled Awa about her impending practice, and by the end of the night, I was even more sure that Awa was "the right one".
Denise must've been too, as she signed on to be one of her first clients.
"They're waving us forward, babe," Awa says, bringing me back to the present with a tug on my arm.
I follow behind her, nodding and smiling as I go.
Awa greets clients and acquaintances warmly as she works the crowd, head up and brimming with confidence.
I'm awed by how much more at ease she is at networking since she stopped trying to fit into some stuffy law firm's mold.
She's still the most open with me, though.
We find our seats just as the lights begin to dim.
I pull Awa's hand into my lap, intertwining our fingers, and smile thinking about the small ring box burning a hole in the pocket of my suit jacket. Tonight's the night. The bachelor pact is long gone, and in its place, my vow to love her and cherish her for the rest of my life blooms in my chest.
I can't wait to see what's next.