Epilogue
EPILOGUE
Mara
The following spring.
Lianna burst into my third-floor office, calling out, “Your front door was unlocked. You didn’t answer, so I let myself in. Are you up here?”
I paused my headphones and replied, “Hey, give me a second to finish this video call.” I quickly wrapped up my conversation with my lead project manager and ended the call.
As I turned back to Lianna, she was already making herself comfortable. Zephyr sat directly in her path, so she picked him up. The little beggar used the opportunity to lick her ears. “Hi,” I said, trying to focus on Lianna.
Lianna grinned. “Look at you, talking about testing and timelines with a real-life program manager. My little girl is all grown up.” She fluttered her hand over her heart, pretending to wipe away tears.
I rolled my eyes but couldn’t help feeling a sense of pride. “I feel dirty. This adulting thing is hard.”
“Don’t try to fool me,” Lianna teased. “You love it. I can tell.”
With a smile, I replied, “Maybe a little too much.”
I stood and stretched my arms high over my head. “I have to admit, I’m in my happy place. Both metaphorically and literally.”
Lianna took in my gleaming new workspace. “I can see why. You really pulled out all the stops when you set up your office here. You’ve completely transformed the place. Does Ford mind being displaced?”
I pointed out Ford’s desk. “He sits exactly where he always did, with a view of the backyard. He loves all my high-tech gadgets. There’s a high-speed router, three monitors, a top-of-the-line color printer for the artwork the game’s graphic design team developed, and, of course, my red couch. It’s the perfect place to sit and work through sticky problems.”
Lianna gave a sly smile. “I recognize your comfy sofa from your old living room. I’ll bet you and Ford put it to good use.”
I blushed. “It isn’t talking, and neither am I.”
“Lucky girl.” She gave a saucy grin.
My answering smile flashed into existence before I could think twice. “That, I am.”
Lianna glanced at her watch. “Your hair looks gorgeous. You’d better change though. Aren’t you supposed to be at Ghost of a Chance in twenty minutes?”
“Max’s big media event!” I glanced at the clock. “I lost track of time! Ford’s picking me up in ten. Thank god I already showered and did my hair and makeup. Come down to the bedroom so we can talk while I change.”
“Dante is catering, right?” Lianna asked. “I’m craving truffle fries. That man better be handing out business cards. He’ll get loads of new customers with them.”
“They’re addictive,” I said. I headed down the narrow servants’ staircase.
I entered our immaculate master bedroom. The room was perfect. Ford had great taste. The soft gray walls, white coverlet, and silver-painted antique furniture created an oasis of cool serenity that always soothed me. A gray dog bed sat under the bench at the foot of the bed, making a dog den that Zephyr adored.
Lianna sat in one of the matching dove-gray chairs facing a gorgeous, vibrant painting, and I headed into my closet.
I glanced at my watch and winced. Eight minutes until Ford got here.
It only took a moment to strip out of my jeans and t-shirt and slide the delicate dress over my head. I returned to the bedroom and twirled like a model. Pieces of pale silk printed with inked sketches of Chance’s artwork fluttered from the skirt, and a pencil drawing of Ghost adorned the bodice.
Lianna’s eyes widened. “That dress is so unique. I love it.”
Delighted, I grinned. “Ford gave it to me. One of his friends made the fabric and designed the dress. It’s my favorite thing ever.” I twirled in front of a mirror, admiring the way the bits of silk fluttered as I moved.
“It’s perfect.” Lianna sighed. “Those gauzy bits of fabric remind me of the pages of a comic book. Lucky girl.”
I glanced at my watch again. “No time to waste. I need to touch up my makeup. Come with.” I darted into the bathroom.
“Tell me about all the happenings at book group,” I said as soon as she joined me. “I miss seeing everyone, but I’ve been swamped.”
“Don’t worry about it. We know you’re busy. Gertrude and I are coming to your event today, so you’ll get to see her. We have another new member you haven’t met, Sonya. She’s a fifth-grade teacher in town, and she’s kinda shy. Scarlet wanted to take a group photo for the local paper, but she refused to be in it. She says she hates social media.”
“I feel her pain,” I said, making a face as I freshened my lipstick. “It’s been tough getting used to all the attention that comes along with living with Ford. I’ve been dreading this media event to launch filming.”
A vibration startled me, and I glanced at the text message on my smartwatch. “Speak of the devil, Ford says he’s almost here.” I grabbed my phone and shoved it into the pocket of my dress.
“You even have pockets,” Lianna said. “I love that dress even more.”
“I hate not having pockets. Drives me crazy. Come on. Let’s go.” I grabbed hold of Lianna’s hand, pulling her along in my wake. The layers of black and white silk fluttered as I darted downstairs and out the front door just in time to see Ford pull up. “See you there,” I said, giving Lianna a quick hug.
The convertible top on Ford’s BMW was up for a change. I glanced up at the sky, noting the darkening clouds. As I climbed in, the breeze picked up, causing the spring leaves to tremble.
Ford leaned over and kissed my cheek. “You look amazing.”
“Thanks. It’s the dress.”
“It’s the woman wearing the dress,” he said, his hot gaze sparking a thrill in me.
We’d been living together for six months, and the slow simmer of our passion was always ready to turn to a boil in an instant.
He leaned across and kissed me, his lips lingering on mine. I reined in my desire before it could get us in trouble. We had people waiting for us.
He pulled down the street, and a moment later, heavy raindrops splashed against the windshield. The skies opened up, and rain fell hard and fast. I breathed in that delicious, fresh scent of ozone.
The sound of the rain pounding on the roof took me back to the moment Ford had driven us through the tunnel in Pittsburgh. It sounded similar to the whoosh of the tunnel when I’d stood in his car that day. I pulled my phone from my pocket. It took me a moment, but I was able to bring up the song Heroes, by David Bowie. As the first notes filled the car, I grinned at Ford. “Remember this?”
He shot me a pained expression. “How could I forget? You gave me a heart attack when you stood up in the tunnel.”
“It’s why you keep me around,” I teased as he pulled the car into a spot around the corner from Ghost of a Chance. “To keep things exciting.”
“Yeah, that’s it,” he deadpanned. He pulled out a black umbrella and handed it to me. “It has nothing to do with how much I love you.” He gave me a wink, then peered up at the sky. “The rain seems to be letting up. Let’s make a break for it.”
Once the media event ended, Ghost of a Chance would reopen for the autograph seekers. How many people would have started lining up? Not many, I hoped, or they’d be drenched.
I lifted the umbrella over our heads, and we struck out. As we rounded the corner onto the main thoroughfare, I got my first look at the long line of people waiting to enter Ghost of a Chance and I stumbled. Ford grabbed hold of my elbow to steady me.
My stomach flipped. “The crowd is even bigger than last summer when Chris Pitt came here.”
“That’s because Max got the word out in advance.”
Speaking of Max, there he was, holding an umbrella over his head and handing more to people waiting in line.
As we approached, someone called out, “Ford Ross is here.”
The entire crowd turned in unison to face us. A shiver ran down my spine. It was like being caught in the beam of a hundred headlights, and my first instinct was to shrink back, to hide. I wasn’t supposed to be the one on display. That role belonged to people like Ford, Chris Pitt, or the movie stars, not me. I had always been the quiet one, content to run things behind the scenes.
“Yowza. Can you say ‘intimidating?’” I muttered to Ford. “It’s like a zombie apocalypse.”
Before I had a chance to process the surreal situation, someone stepped forward, touching Ford’s sleeve and holding out a pen and notebook. He signed with ease, flashing that effortless grin of his, while my stomach tightened. How does he make this look so natural?
“Nice weather,” Max commented as he joined us.
“For ducks.” I watched Ford as he signed another autograph. My man was in his element. He really knew how to handle situations like this.
A moment later, the same fan pressed his notebook into my hands. “Can I have your autograph too?” he asked. “Your brother’s comic is amazing. I’m a huge fan.”
I froze. Me? Signing autographs? This was a whole new level of attention I hadn’t prepared for. My hand hovered over the notebook as doubt crept in. Who was I to be giving autographs? It had always been Chance’s dream to be recognized like this. And Ford—Ford thrived in these moments. But me? I was just... Mara.
Ford grinned, sensing my hesitation, and gently nudged me. “Aww, your first autograph,” he teased, his voice low enough for just me to hear.
I shot him a mock-irritated glance, grateful for his ability to lighten the moment, but still uneasy. I took the pen with shaky fingers, forcing a smile as I signed my name. The fan’s excitement helped to steady my nerves—he wasn’t intimidating. Just another comic book nerd, like me. Maybe this spotlight wasn’t as terrifying as I thought.
“Your first one?” Max asked. He pulled out his phone. “We’ll immortalize the moment. Baby’s first steps.”
I arched one eyebrow. “You can be really annoying sometimes.”
“Get used to it,” Max said. “It’s my specialty.”
As I signed my autograph, I glanced shyly at my very first fan. He didn’t seem too intimidating. Just a comic book nerd, like me.
Maybe this could be kinda cool.
Ford signed a few more autographs, and then we made it inside Ghost of a Chance. It was stuffed with media people, friends, and local celebrities.
I glanced at my Wonder Woman poster on the wall, the one that read “be the hero of your own life.” For once, I didn’t feel as though she was chiding me. Nope. Today, Wonder Woman was cheering me on.
The display racks had been pushed to the back of the room to make space for all the people here. Sam had draped them with black plastic tablecloths so they wouldn’t be accidentally damaged by spilled food or drinks, and then someone had decorated the tablecloths with images from my brother’s comic. It looked amazing.
Mom and I spotted each other from across the room at the same time, and she nudged Dad to point me out. He immediately grinned and shot me a double thumbs up.
Dad had been true to his word ever since that night at the hospital. I was starting to believe he’d really changed. He didn’t second-guess me anymore. He occasionally criticized one of us kids, but he’d immediately apologize, and that made all the difference.
“I’m driving Chris back to the city for dinner after this is all over,” Max said. “Want to join us?”
“Mara and I have plans with Dad and her parents,” Ford said as he took my hand. “Maybe some other time.”
“You turned me down last time, too,” Max said, shaking his head in mock disapproval. A moment later, he stilled. “You’re doing something with both Dad and Mara’s parents? That sounds like a big deal.”
I widened my eyes and then shrugged, trying to act casual. “Mom’s been wanting to meet Don for ages,” I explained, as Ford and I interlaced our fingers. “Today’s the first day when everyone was available.”
Max skewered me with his gaze that always seemed to see too much. I squirmed, and he shook his head in disappointment. “You’d suck at poker.”
Ford squeezed my hand as he stifled a laugh. “That’s what I keep telling her. You can read her every emotion.”
“Spill it,” Max said, wiggling his fingers in a come-on gesture. “You two have news. I can tell.”
I pressed my lips together and stayed silent. It was none of his business. At least, not yet.
“Wait,” Max said, holding up his hand as if trying to stop me from talking—as if I actually would, “don’t tell me. I can guess.” He pantomimed holding his hand to his forehead like a mind reader. A moment later, he said, “I have it. You’re engaged.”
My mouth fell open and I froze, my heart pounding as the entire room seemed to hang in suspense. This wasn’t how I’d planned to tell the world—or our parents. I glanced at Ford, who gave me that calm, steady look that always grounded me. He’d asked me last night, and it had felt like our own private moment. But now, under the bright lights of the crowd, it felt real in a whole new way.
“Shh!” I hissed as I stepped closer. “Reporters are everywhere,” I whisper-shouted. “Keep your voice down.”
Max wore a satisfied grin.
I sighed. “We’re getting our parents together tonight to tell them,” I murmured. “We’ll announce it to everyone else after that.”
“Make sure Dad doesn’t overdo it tonight,” Max told Ford. “I don’t want him to get tired.” His phone chimed and he glanced down at it with a frown. “Give me a minute. I need to take this. I’ll be right back.” He stepped toward the back of the store.
“Why is Max so worried about Don?” I asked, watching his departing back. “I thought his heart was back to normal and he was doing great. Should I be worried?”
Ford’s eyes tracked Max until he stepped into the storage area. “I think last week’s heart ablation procedure still has him on edge.”
“Don’s doing great, isn’t he?” I asked, concerned. “I thought the procedure was a complete success and fixed his a-fib. Is he having problems?” I glanced over to where my dad stood, ready to wave him over for a quick consultation.
“He’s fine,” Ford reassured me. “Maybe a little pain from the incisions from the catheters, but his heart’s doing great. I think Max is beating himself up for not figuring out Dad was having heart problems again.”
I couldn’t blame the guy. If Mom or Dad kept something important about their health from me, I’d be devastated. I bet I’d also start watching them like a prison guard. “Maybe when he sees how well Don is doing, he’ll relax.” I glanced up and spotted Don pushing open the front door, with Lianna and Gertrude right behind him. “Speak of the devil, your dad just walked in. He looks great.”
Don pushed toward us through the crowd.
As I moved forward to greet him, someone stepped into my path. I found myself face-to-face with a woman in a tailored suit. It took me a moment to place her, and when I did, I gaped in surprise—and horror. This was that reporter, Mindy Trevor. The one who’d interviewed Chris Pitt when he’d made his surprise appearance at my store.
I stood, staring at her in stunned disbelief. What was she doing here? Max had said she was banned for life!
Mindy must have recognized my anger because she winced. Then she lifted her microphone and tapped on the side. I thought she was telling me it was live, but then I realized she was indicating her network logo. That wasn’t the W-ZZZ emblem. Apparently, she’d switched jobs to work for one of their rivals.
“I want to apologize for what happened last summer,” Mindy said. “I promise you; I had nothing to do with that story.”
I searched for something to say, but “that’s okay,” wasn’t going to come out of my mouth.
Max joined me and gave Mindy a welcoming handshake. “Good to see you,” he said, then turned to me. “She’s good people. She was furious about the way her piece was used to attack you. It made her look bad. When she reached out to apologize, I offered to help her find a position with another network.”
Mindy’s face glowed with gratitude. “And I love it there.”
Doug had left a lot of collateral damage in his wake—no surprise. I finally found my voice. “I’m glad to see you found a new home. Good for you, and—good luck.”
It struck me a moment later that I hadn’t thought about Doug in ages. Even with today’s event looming on the horizon, I’d never once worried he might do something to sabotage me. Having him transferred to Chicago had been a brilliant solution.
Don moved around Mindy and pulled me into a hug. “Good to see you, Mara. This is a great turnout today.”
“And exciting, even if it’s a bit overwhelming.” I took in the crowded room. Dante’s waitstaff moved around the room brandishing serving trays of hors d’oeuvres.
Mindy turned to her cameraman and made a rolling motion with her hand. A light on the camera turned green, and then Max nodded at my store manager, Sam.
I narrowed my eyes, wary. Max and Sam had planned something.
The cameraman pointed his bright light directly at me.
Ford slid his arm around my waist. “You look like a deer in the headlights,” he murmured into my ear. “Relax.”
I moved closer to him. “Or use my poker face?” I murmured.
I tried to look around the room, but the bright light made it so I could barely see. Eventually, I was able to identify friends out there along with my parents. Lianna and Gertrude, of course. Our kickass-mayor Scarlet was plucking a treat from Dante’s tray. Courtney was there too, standing next to Rose, the librarian. Seeing them here helped me breathe more evenly.
My new manager straightened his spine. “Hey, Ford.” Sam pitched his voice to rise above the chatter of the crowd, “I heard a rumor you’re planning to relocate to Pittsburgh permanently. Is that true?” The poor guy’s voice sounded so stiff and awkward that it was obvious someone had told him to ask the question. My money was on Max. Then again, Ford didn’t seem surprised by the question either, so maybe he’d been the one.
“Lots of movies are filmed in Pittsburgh,” Ford said. “Since I have family in the area, I’ve decided to make this my base of operations. I’m moving back home.”
Everyone applauded, and Don clapped Ford on the back, his face shining with pleasure. “That’s great news. And about time.”
“What about the two of you?” Max asked loudly for the audience, looking Ford squarely in the eye. “Since you’re relocating here, does that mean we’ll be hearing wedding bells soon?” Max grinned, then leaned closer to Ford. “Gotcha,” he murmured. “I told you payback’s a bitch.”
My eyes nearly bugged out of my head. That jerk! I glanced up at Ford to see how he’d react.
Ford looked startled, but a moment later he glanced at me with one eyebrow cocked and a questioning look.
My life was a lot more public now. I’d accepted that when I’d decided this was the path I wanted. But that didn’t mean I was fully ready for it. The announcement had been supposed to be ours—just for family, a private moment. Now, everyone was watching us, waiting. I felt exposed, like a spotlight was burning straight through me. Was I ready for this? Was I ready to share something so personal, so life-changing, with the world?
Ford squeezed my hand, pulling me back from the whirlwind of anxiety. His calm, steady presence grounded me, as it always did. I’d have to learn to roll with this, like I’d learned so much else lately.
I gave him the tiniest of nods.
He laced his fingers with mine. “This isn’t the way we’d planned to tell our families, but—I popped the question last night, and she said yes. Mara and I will be tying the knot next year.”
The crowd erupted into applause, the sound almost overwhelming. I searched for my parents and found them clapping along with everyone else. It should’ve been comforting, but it only intensified the weight of their eyes on us.
“Kiss her!” My dad called out, taking me completely by surprise.
Ford heard and pulled me into his arms. As he gazed into my eyes, he asked, “How does the spotlight feel?”
I forced a smile, my heart pounding. “A bit intense,” I said, “but not bad.”
“Your dad’s right. You two need to kiss,” Don said. “Now’s the moment.”
The crowd waited, a sea of faces turned toward us with expectant grins. My pulse quickened, and for a brief second, I thought about bolting. The pressure of this public life—the eyes, the expectations—how would I handle it? But Ford’s calm presence beside me kept me grounded. He stepped closer, his eyes never leaving mine, and in that moment, all the noise around us faded. It was just the two of us. “Kiss me, Ford,” I whispered, letting go of the rest.
Ford, my own real-life superhero, wrapped his arms around me and pulled me closer. The slow, simmering heat that was always present when we were together flared, and I melted into him.