Epilogue
Ask
I sat at the rounded table, running my hand along the white tablecloth. A chandelier hung in the middle of the open room, and I smiled as Jack looked over the menu.
My final report sat, forgotten, on my laptop, forever commemorating what I’d learned about the serial killer, but now, I was getting to know the man.
And I loved him more every day. To my surprise, he didn’t kill as much; when I mentioned that, he laughed and said he was thinking of retiring. Said he didn’t need it anymore.
I sipped on the rosé I’d ordered as he put down the fancy menu and stared at me. His gaze burned with something I couldn’t put my finger on, as though he was trying to look into my very soul.
“I have one last ask of you, Jill,” he said quietly as he reached into his jacket pocket.
The world seemed to vanish around us as he got onto one knee and pulled out a small black box. He opened it, and a beautiful diamond ring sparkled from within.
“Will you marry me?” he asked in a hushed tone.
I flung my arms around his neck, laughing and crying. “Yes!”
He pulled me back, smiling as he slipped the ring onto my finger. “I love you, darling girl.”
“I love you too,” I said, beaming as I hugged him close again.
That unspoken final ask was more than just marrying him; it was about living and growing old together.