Extended Epilogue
Pierce
One month later
“For the record, this is a weird honeymoon activity,” Thea says. “I thought you were taking me on a romantic date.”
I look down at the dress she’s wearing, the one that almost knocked me off my feet when she stepped out in it. It’s baby blue, sophisticated and sweet. It's downright lethal. I’m ready to drag her back to our hotel, but first, I have to take care of something.
“You’re dressed up, I’m dressed up. There will be food and activity. I think that counts as a date,” I say, just to tease her. I had planned a very romantic night for us, and then this came up.
“It’s a wedding reception,” Thea says. “For people we don’t even know.”
“That’s the fun part.” I got a message from my cousin who is apparently in town, and she needed some help. “We’re going undercover as Mr. and Mrs. Larsen again. I thought you’d enjoy that.”
“Will it be dangerous?” She bites her bottom lip, but she can’t fool me. She’s at least a little excited about the prospects.
“Not at all.”
Her lips twitch. “How will I ever determine how sexy you are if you don’t have to save my life tonight?”
“I could save you from the bouquet toss.”
“You already have.” She clutches a hand to her chest. “My hero.”
“I’ll take you on a real romantic date tomorrow.” I lean across the console to press a kiss to her cheek. Then because I can kiss her whenever I want, I capture her lips as well.
She smiles against my lips. “Will there be dolphins?”
“Not a chance.”
I hop out of the rental car and round it, but not before she gets her own door open and steps out on stiletto-clad feet.
She stands to her full height, and once again I’m floored that this woman is my wife.
She’s absolutely out of my league in every way.
Marrying her two months after meeting might seem crazy, but I’ve always trusted my instincts.
“I do feel kind of cool,” she says, slipping her hand through my arm and leaning in close to whisper. “I think I’d be good at this spy stuff.”
I purse my lips to stop my chuckle. “You’re too sexy—you’ll draw too much attention.”
“I need a sombrero.”
I snap my fingers. “I knew we forgot something.”
The reception is already a raging party as we are ushered inside. Finding Hailey in this place is going to be like finding a needle in a—
“Pierce?” A ball of energy and curly auburn wraps her arms around me.
I stand corrected.
“Hailey.” I hug her back.
“Where on earth have you been?” She pulls back to punch my chest. “I missed you.”
My heart constricts for the briefest moment, for everything I missed. “I missed you, too.”
“Never do that again,” she demands, and I obediently salute her. “And now you’re married and didn’t even invite me to the wedding!” She levels me with a Hailey glare, unique only to her.
My lips part, and my eyes widen slightly. “I, uh, we wanted something small.”
“Don't be offended,” Thea says, getting her own Hailey hug. “I'm lucky I was invited.”
Hailey throws her head back with a laugh. “I forgive you.”
“So, what’s up?” I ask, wanting to get to the business at hand.
“Okay…” She looks side to side before whispering. “Let me just start by saying, I didn’t kill anyone.”
Thea squeezes my hand, and I look at her. An entire conversation takes place silently between us.
Here we go again.
THE END