Epilogue
Austin
The arena reverberates with music, the last song in Summer’s opening act in the final performance of a long tour.
I showed up at Madison Square Garden along with the other bodyguards at Alpha Security, Dan, and Tara, our receptionist, because Ben is a close friend and we want to support him.
But as the lights flash and the music pounds through my body, I feel older than my years.
As much as I appreciate Summer’s talent, concerts aren’t my thing.
That’s what having a kid does, it’s aged me, I think wryly.
Although I’d willingly change the painful past that brought me to this point, I’d never change a thing about the little girl I adore.
Bailey is my world. I have no social life, rarely go out unless I am on the job.
Tonight Bailey is home with her nanny, giving me the chance to be here for Ben.
Summer’s set ends, and I clap, whistling my approval along with the rest of the crew. Instead of being able to leave, we then sit through Jade Glow’s concert, as well, before finally meeting up with Ben and Summer backstage.
Ben leads us to a relatively quiet corner, away from the insanity of Jade and her entourage. He turns to me and slaps me on the back. “I know it wasn’t easy for you to make it tonight and I’m grateful.”
“Wouldn’t miss it,” I assure my friend. That’s what my live-in nanny is for. Watching the munchkin when I have to be out.
“Hey, everyone, can I get your attention?” Ben whistles, quieting down his friends. Everyone is still hyped up from the concert.
Summer joins him, slipping beneath his arm. She’s changed from her stage costume into a pair of jeans and a tee shirt and looks up at Ben with complete adoration in her gaze.
Man, that look is enough to bring a man to his knees.
Well, Ben, at least. I have been through the wringer with my ex-wife, Bailey’s mother, and I’ll never let a woman wrap me around her finger again.
Not that Ben and Summer have that kind of a relationship.
There is a mutual respect between them I admire.
One I didn’t find in my own past marriage, and I learned a hard lesson from being used.
“It’s good to have you back,” Dan says now that Ben has quieted everyone down.
“We’re happy to be home and to settle down for a while,” Summer says. “A long while, I hope.”
I understand. Ben mentioned she’ll be doing work in a recording studio she is renting, and Ben wants to buy a house so they have a home base beyond their small apartments. They are obviously ready to combine their lives.
“Before we all get busy with work and assignments, I wanted you—my friends I consider family—here when I ask Summer a question,” Ben says, a grin on his face.
“What?” Summer swings her head around, meeting his gaze.
Even Jade, the huge pop star, has joined us, slipping into the crowd beside Ava.
Ben reaches into his pocket and pulls out a ring box.
Summer gasps.
Ava claps her hands, obviously excited for her friends.
The other guys, Jared, Tate, and even Shane, who is in town, take a step back as if the upcoming engagement is contagious. Only Dan stands close, a satisfied expression on his face. Everyone knows how Dan feels about happy endings.
Ben drops to one knee and looks up at the woman he loves.
“Summer Michelle, I knew the day I met you that you were something special and you would rock my world. I just didn’t realize the ride we’d take together, and I know it’s just the beginning.
I love you and I want to spend the rest of my life with you.
” He pops open the box, revealing a nice, large, sparkling ring.
Not even my ex could quibble with the size of that thing, I think.
Summer’s eyes grow wide, happy tears falling down her cheeks.
“Will you marry me?” Ben asks.
“Yes. Yes!” Before he can put the ring on her finger, she’s wrapped her arms around his neck, holding on tight.
And that is why I like Summer as a match for my friend. Her focus is on her man, not the stone.
A round of applause follows, along with congratulations by everyone there. I stick around long enough to give my good wishes to the happy couple in person before heading home to my daughter.
I wish I could say one day I’ll find the right woman for me, but I’m not willing to get burned again. At this point, I have one goal. To be a good father to my daughter … and to stop thinking dirty, sexy thoughts about the woman I hired to care for her.
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