Epilogue
The trial for Jamison was behind her. Gillian and Roger were in jail awaiting their own trials.
Detective Thayne thought Gillian might get an insanity plea.
Jamison had literally messed with her former friend’s mind.
For years, apparently. Neither of them had ever told her they dated in college.
Jamison had convinced Gillian he was going to ‘teach Addie a lesson’ by dating her and breaking her heart instead of the other way around.
Gillian had assumed she was setting Addie up, but then Jamison admitted he liked Addie, was ticked she broke up with him, and that was why he had attacked her.
It was sickening, but thankfully it was over.
The insurance claims were all filed and being processed. Addie was in an extended hotel stay downtown awaiting an apartment opening. She was back at work and things were going well there.
Price texted or called her every night. His job was ‘an easy bodyguard situation’ and she could hardly wait to see him in a few days.
She was in Quincy Market, wandering after she ate a bowl of chowder and sourdough bread. Should she get banana pudding or wait for Price? Maybe she’d get gelato or a cookie or brownie. There were a lot of options for dessert that weren’t special for her and Price.
Someone bumped into her from behind. She stumbled over a foot in front of her.
“Whoa there.” A strong arm caught her and helped her regain her footing. She looked up into the most intriguing pair of deep brown eyes shadowed by long lashes.
“Price,” she whispered.
He smiled. “Are you all right?”
“Nothing busted,” she said, grinning as she remembered their first meeting. Had he just tried to recreate it?
She’d thought he was handsome then and had been fascinated by his dark eyes. Now she knew he was the most handsome man in the world, and she was still mesmerized by his dark eyes.
A tremor ran through her as their gazes locked.
She remembered thinking at their first meeting that this was a man who would never hurt or scare a woman but fight for and protect those he loved.
He’d fight for and protect her. She’d seen that firsthand.
She never thought she’d trust a man like she did this one.
“Glad to hear it.” His smile softened the tough guy look and made him even more appealing. “Price Sanderson.” He released her arm and stuck out his hand as people streamed around them in the wide but crowded historic shopping hall.
“Adeline Belle.” She placed her hand in his, a warm thrill rushing through her at the simple sliding of their palms together and him wrapping his strong fingers around the back of her hand.
Instead of shaking, they held onto each other’s hands and studied one another.
She loved that they were replaying that first meeting.
So much had happened in the last two months.
She’d learned to trust, forgive, and love.
She felt the rightness of their connection and of Price in her life all the way through.
“Could I buy you a banana pudding?”
Addie tilted her head and regarded him, clinging to his hand and giving him a challenging look. “How do you know I like banana pudding?”
“You are the most intriguing, inspiring, and beautiful woman I’ve ever met,” he told her. “So I correctly assumed you’d be a fan of banana pudding from Magnolia Bakery.”
“You assume right. Did you pay someone to trip me and push me into your arms?”
“I didn’t have to pay them. When I ask, people are happy to comply.” He grinned and winked.
Addie laughed. The future opened up to her as Price escorted her to Magnolia Bakery and placed their order.
Happiness. Banana pudding. Trust. Love. Captain Price Sanderson. Maybe tonight she’d finally let him take her to dinner, or she’d hear the stories of all his scars. Whatever they did, they’d be together. That was the highest item on her priority list now, and it would stay that way forever.