EXTENDED EPILOGUE
IVY
We’d barely fastened our seat belts before we turned onto our new street. My stomach fluttered as Gus slowed to a crawl.
I took in the cars lining both sides of the street, with barely an inch to spare.
“Here we are, my love,” Karson said.
Gus pulled up as the whitewashed garage door glided open, then we drove in.
“And now,” Karson said, kissing my hand, “it’s all ours. You ready?”
“So ready!”
We stepped out, and I breathed in the salty air, pausing to admire the elegant Hamptons-style home.
The house was painted pale blue and crisp white, with a charming stone porch leading to a lavender-filled garden. White-shuttered windows framed the turquoise front door, while the spectacular gum tree swayed in the breeze as a currawong sang nearby.
Karson’s eyes lit up as we strolled onto the porch together. “You do the honors.” He stepped aside and waited.
“Is this really happening?” I smiled uncontrollably, pushing the key into the lock.
The door swung open. “Have I mentioned lately how much I love you?” His lips brushed my forehead. “I’ve been waiting to carry you over that threshold.”
He scooped me up as I looped my arms around his neck.
“It’s the main reason I wanted to buy a house!” We laughed as he carried me into the immense foyer.
“Wait.” I stiffened in his arms, peering toward the other room. “Did you hear that?”
“SURPRISE!” a collective roar erupted.
My mouth fell open as familiar faces emerged from their hiding spots and surrounded us.
Karson set me down as cries of ‘congratulations’ echoed through the foyer, before we were showered in hugs and kisses.
I turned to Karson with raised brows. “Why don’t you look surprised?” He winked at me and waved to a group of guys opposite us.
“Happy housewarming, my love!” he whispered, pulling me into a hug that sent heat shivering down my spine.
Olivia rushed over. “Congratulations, guys!” She wrapped me in a tight hug. “Damn, this place is amazing.”
“Olivia!” I squeezed her tightly. “It’s so good to finally see you.”
I glanced around at all the familiar—and unfamiliar—faces. “How did you guys get in here? I can’t believe you’re all here!”
Then I spotted who I’d been waiting for, making her way toward me alongside the friend she’d brought for a girls’ weekend away.
“Kobi!” I cried, throwing my arms around her.
She hugged me tight. “Ivy! So good to see you.” She stepped aside and gestured toward her friend. “And this is Mia. We work together at the café.”
I was glad Kobi had made a good friend in Sydney. As Mia and I chatted, we both sang Kobi’s praises.
“You look fantastic, Kobi!” I took her in again. “How have you been, girl?”
“I’m great. I’m so sorry I haven’t caught up earlier. It’s been crazy at work,” she said. “But now we’re both living in Sydney, it’ll be way easier.”
“Don’t apologize.” I laughed. “I totally get it. I haven’t visited you either. I’m just glad you’re here now.”
“I’m so happy for you and Karson.” She glanced around. “And I love your new place.”
“Ivy, babe! At last,” Sass said, sweeping us all into a group hug. “Now I see why you’re never coming home. The perfect job. The perfect house. And your perfect guy.”
“I know, perfect right?” We all cracked up.
I turned to the crowd, my hands covering my cheeks. “Thank you so much, everyone. I seriously don’t know how you pulled this off.” A disbelieving laugh escaped me. “We only just got the keys ourselves!”
“Simple,” Sass replied. “Karson emailed me all the details, and with his permission, the realtor gave me the spare keys early this morning. Olivia and I had everything ready before you even got off the plane.”
Smiling, I shook my head as Karson looked across at me with warmth in his eyes before being swallowed up by a growing group of friends.
Some of them were dressed casually while the others looked like they’d stepped straight out of a brochure in button-down shirts, chinos, blazers, and loafers—they looked like old friends from his school days.
“Kelvin! Josh! Bring it in.” Karson laughed as they pulled each other into a loud, back-slapping hug. “It’s awesome to see you guys. Who knew I’d actually miss you?”
The group burst into laughter, and a waiter circulated through the crowd, handing out flutes of bubbling champagne.
“Tyler!” Karson called out as a guy headed his way. “How are you, mate?”
“Great.” Tyler grinned, pulling him into a hug. “Sadly, not traveling the globe like you. You guys know how to travel in style, and you barely post, but when you do… wow!”
“Yeah, man, look at you,” Kelvin added. “You’ve even got a ski goggle tan.”
“Ahh, yes, thanks for pointing that out,” Karson chuckled. “The dreaded ski tan. I’ll be down on the beach tomorrow soaking up the sunshine, it’ll be gone in no time.”
Grinning, Kelvin ruffled Karson’s hair.
Sass and I drifted to one side, sipping champagne and giggling about her latest shenanigans before Karson caught my eye and held out his hand. We wandered over to the group.
“Ivy. Girls,” Karson said, glancing between us, “these are some of my mates.”
He turned to his friends. “Guys, this is Ivy, my amazing girlfriend. And these are some of her friends—Sass, Olivia, Kobi.”
The conversation flowed as we all got to know each other better. Karson’s friends were a great bunch of guys—funny, welcoming, and impossible not to like.
“Karson,” Tyler said, “we want to see you back at college next semester, bro. How else are we going to get through Statistics? Running a global corporation is no excuse for dropping out now.” He smirked.
“Tyler, even if I do go back next semester,” Karson said, his brows furrowing, “you’ll probably still fail Statistics.” He chuckled and gave him a friendly slap on the back. “Anyway, you can always ask Kelvin. He’ll get you sorted.”
“Fair call.” Tyler laughed. “Man, I hate that subject with a passion.”
“Me too, it’s so boring,” Kelvin said. “And this place is ridiculous. I wish I’d lived here when I was under house arrest.” He smirked.
“Tell you what.” Karson grinned. “If it happens again, you’re welcome to serve your time here.” They both cracked up.
“Got room for me as well?” Sass jumped in. “You’d barely notice me.” She flashed a smile and pressed her hands together as the group laughed.
A waiter stopped beside us with more champagne, and I reached for one of the delectable finger foods.
***
The powerful rumble of an engine cut through the room. Karson and I turned toward the windows, our eyes locking on the lime-green McLaren in the driveway.
“Nice,” Karson said under his breath as I stared, wide-eyed.
Another high-revving engine wailed in the distance, growing louder by the second. A few moments later, a Ferrari thundered into the driveway, pulling in behind the McLaren.
Karson rubbed his hands together in excitement. “That might be Dyson.” We moved onto the front porch as the engines fell silent one after the other.
“It is,” Karson laughed, as Dyson pulled in and waved from the window.
As we started toward the driveway, a cab pulled in behind the two supercars. The back doors swung open then two guys jumped out. One of them was a little—OK, a fair bit—taller than me, with the same caramel-colored hair.
“Jai!” I shouted, running toward him.
“Hey, sis,” he drawled, lifting me off my feet in a tight hug before dropping me back to the ground. “Good to see you home safe from your adventures.”
He stared at the house before he let out a low whistle. “Bloody hell, check this place out. Pretty fancy.”
“Not too bad at all.” I laughed. “I’m so glad you’re here.” I hugged him again briefly. “I was about two seconds away from reporting you missing.”
“Nah, not missing. Just chasing waves.” The corner of his mouth lifted as he nodded toward the raven-haired man opposite him. “And this is Ryan… my boyfriend.”
“Ryan, great to meet you,” I said, squeezing his arm lightly.
“Lovely to meet you too, Ivy.” He smiled brightly.
“Ryan, I remember you from the video call.” I grinned. “What a relief you two share a love of the ocean that won’t interfere with your surfing obsession.”
“I know, right?” they both replied, making us all laugh.
I crossed my arms over my chest, studying them. “So, who’s the better surfer?” I asked, tilting my head to the side.
“I reckon we’re about even,” Ryan said with a flash of perfect teeth.
“That’s what he thinks,” Jai countered with a chuckle.
We ambled up the driveway to where Karson watched as Dyson leaned into the Ferrari, pointing at the controls, then he called out, “Ivy. hello, love. You keeping this one under control? You’ve put a permanent smile on his face.” He winked.
“Hey! I’m right here.” Karson chuckled, planting a fake side kick against Dyson’s thigh. Dyson grabbed Karson’s shin before they fell apart laughing and pulled each other into a hug.
When the laughter died down, I turned to the rest of the group. “Hey, everyone, this is my brother, Jai, and his boyfriend Ryan,” I said.
“Hey, Jai, I’ve been looking forward to meeting you.” Karson shook his hand. “Ryan, great to meet you.”
“Good to meet you too,” the boys replied.
“One thing, though, Karson,” Jai said, pointing at him with mock seriousness. “You break my sister’s heart, and we’ll have a problem.”
Karson’s brows lifted as their eyes met. “What kind of problem?”
Jai held the look for a beat. “A surf-off problem.”
The group laughed.
“No. Please!” Karson begged. “Not just because I suck at surfing.” He took my hand. “But because I’m mad about her.”
I slipped my arm around his waist.
“She’s my queen.” His lips brushed softly against mine.
“These bloody lovebirds,” Dyson teased with a grin.
“Hey, nice car you’ve got there, bro.” Ryan motioned toward the Ferrari with a nod.
“Thanks, man. It belongs to Callum Rhodes—he’s got a place, a couple of beaches along from here. He hooked me up while I’m in Sydney.”
“Oh, Callum’s in town, is he? I haven’t seen him since the F1 afterparty,” Karson said.
“Yeah. Great guy. He’s come on board as an investor at BioBuild.”