Epilogue
King
Valentine’s Day
The guys and I made plans for Gabe, Chase, and Mack to get Serayah to the Lock & Key Bridge.
That morning, I had already picked her up some chocolates from Chocolate Row along with a bouquet of roses.
I also stopped at Sweet Dream Cupcakes to grab a box of the pistachio cupcakes she liked at the Valentine’s Ball.
Mother Nature gave us a little dusting of snow, which made the bridge look magical. It was perfect for Serayah, the embodiment of magic.
Suddenly, I’d gotten a 214 text message from Cass. I thought, No fucking way. The timing couldn’t have been worse. Then another text came through. Just kidding. Good luck.
I text back. Thanks, I’ll need it.
My heart felt like it was going to jump out of my chest. Chase had explained to Serayah that it was time to end her contract, and so headquarters needed a formal meeting with her. Instead, they were bringing her to me. We’d sign the paperwork later, but the detail was over.
The Lock & Key Bridge is renowned for being a special location for couples, specifically for proposals.
It seemed like the best place to profess my love to her.
I was lost in my thoughts about Serayah when I could hear the crunch of footsteps in the snow.
When I looked up, she was slowly walking toward me.
“King? What’s going on?”
“Hey, baby.”
“What’s happening, King?” She looked confused, a little upset, but more than anything, just confused.
“You look beautiful.” I leaned down and kissed her cheek. “These are for you.” I handed her the chocolates, flowers, and cupcakes.
In a whisper, she said, “What are you doing?”
I took a deep breath and exhaled, before saying, “Serayah Flores, you are a storm. A spicy little thing that I never saw coming into my life. That night at Velvet Arrow, I was just happy that I got to you in time. Every day after that, I struggled to be near you. Your smile, your laugh, your smell, your body…that cute and very sexy stomach…”
She laughed and rolled her eyes. “King…”
Shaking my head, I said, “Let me finish. Turns out, I’m an asshole when I’m not around you.
Who would’ve known?” I shrugged, and she giggled.
“When I’m around you, I manage to forgive myself, even for just a moment, for all the terrible things I’ve done.
I’m sorry that I ran away from you. The truth is, I want to be completely wrapped up in you and your world.
I don’t care about the job… even though everyone already knows about us. ”
She gasped. “They do?”
“They do. Apparently, we aren’t as good as we thought at keeping secrets.
” I laughed while she shook her head. “Serayah, I want my mornings to begin with you and my nights to end with you. I want to tell you I love you and not scare you away because we’ve only known each other for a short time.
I want to take you for walks in the conservatory, for a cup of coffee, or to a concert to see that singer you like.
I want to take you home at the end of the night and make love to you.
I want to do all the things with you, and then I want to wake up to you and do it all over again.
” A few tears trailed down her cheeks, so I reached up to wipe them.
“A friend told me that this life is supposed to be lived, and my mistakes don’t matter because we all have a past. I want to let them go and be with you. If…you still want to be with me too.”
“It’s all I’ve ever wanted. King…”
“Yeah?”
She paused for a minute before saying, “I love you too.”
I went in to squeeze her and lift her up, but we heard a crunch and groaned when we realized I crushed her box of cupcakes and roses. “Fuck. I’m sorry.”
She laughed and said, “It’s okay. We’ve got plenty more dates in our future for flowers and goodies.”
I reached for her chin, tilting her head back so I could capture her lips. The kiss of all kisses. “Mine.”
“Yours.”
“Happy Valentine’s Day, baby.”
She and I stood there on the bridge, holding each other and watching the snow for what felt like an eternity. I was grateful for someone who could see me for who I’d become, and not who I’d been. I was grateful for redemption.
The End