Epilogue 1 Chiara
The rest of the tournament flies by in rugby wins and passionate nights with Noah.
Now, it’s the charity gala and it is exactly as over-the-top as I expected.
Crystal chandeliers.
White tablecloths.
Servers floating around with trays of champagne like we’re in some kind of movie about rich people pretending to be classy.
Mitchell Knight is hosting and he spared absolutely no expense, which means the ballroom is packed with sponsors, local celebrities, sports reporters, and fans who paid an obscene amount of money to rub elbows with professional rugby players.
Which also means Noah can’t arrive with me.
He had to come with the team.
There were meet-and-greet photos, sponsor obligations, and whatever other PR magic Finley cooked up to make tonight a success.
So here I am.
Standing near the edge of the ballroom in a dress Carolina helped me pick out, pretending I’m not scanning the room every few seconds for one particularly tall, broad-shouldered hooker.
I’m wearing baby blue with sinful negligee beneath that I can't wait to show him.
I finally spot him across the floor.
And wow.
The man cleans up well.
Noah’s wearing a dark suit that fits his massive frame like it was tailored just for him, his dark hair combed back, that confident grin flashing as he poses with a group of fans.
One woman throws an arm around him.
Another presses a little too close.
And because I am apparently a jealous idiot now, my stomach does a weird little flip.
It shouldn’t bother me.
He’s a professional athlete.
This is literally part of the job.
Still, I’m staring a bit too long when a familiar voice slides in beside me.
“Well, look at that.”
My shoulders stiffen immediately.
McMurray.
Of course.
He leans against the table beside me like we’re old friends.
“Your hubby seems pretty popular tonight,” he says, nodding toward Noah across the room.
I don’t even bother looking at him.
“He’s not my hubby.”
“Right,” he says, smirking. “Sure looks cozy, though.”
I glance back toward Noah despite myself. He’s freed himself from Miss Grabby-Hands, which is awesome.
But another skinny fake-boobed fan is leaning into him for a photo, giggling at something he said.
McMurray chuckles beside me.
“Tell you what,” he says, lowering his voice. “Why don’t you and I find a quiet corner somewhere? Might make him jealous.”
I turn slowly.
“Did you seriously just say that?”
He shrugs.
“Just offering.”
“Here’s my counteroffer,” I say sweetly.
He looks intrigued. Leans closer.
“Why don’t you fuck right off and leave me alone?”
The smile drops from his face.
“Careful,” he mutters.
I roll my eyes and look past him—and I freeze.
Because Noah is striding straight toward us.
Not walking.
Striding.
His shoulders squared, eyes locked on mine like he spotted the problem from across the room and decided to deal with it personally.
The crowd parts around him.
And for the first time tonight, I realize something very clearly.
Jealousy doesn’t belong in a real relationship.
And whatever this thing is between Noah and me?
It’s real.
McMurray notices Noah approaching and scoffs.
“Looks like your man’s coming to collect you.”
I smile faintly.
“Good.”
Because the truth is, the moment Noah reaches me and slides an arm around my waist like he belongs there—I’m not going anywhere.
“This rabble bugging you, love?” he growls, glaring down at McMurray.
The man immediately takes a step back, hands raised like he suddenly remembers Noah Walker is built like a wrecking ball.
“Nah,” I say breezily. “He just wanted to borrow a tampon.”
My voice carries just enough that a few people nearby hear it.
There’s a ripple of laughter.
McMurray’s face goes red, and he disappears into the crowd.
Noah watches him go, then turns back to me—and does something that steals the air right out of my lungs.
He leans down and kisses me.
Right there.
In the middle of the ballroom.
No hesitation.
No secret.
Just his mouth on mine like the entire room can watch and he doesn’t care.
Like he wants them to.
When he pulls back, his forehead rests lightly against mine.
“Did I tell you how beautiful you look tonight?”
I shake my head, a little breathless.
“Well you do,” he murmurs. “You look like an angel, Chiara.”
My cheeks warm.
“Thanks,” I say. “You clean up pretty nice yourself.”
He laughs softly, and when the music shifts to something slower, his hand slides into mine.
“Dance with me.”
He leads me onto the dance floor like he’s done it a thousand times.
One arm wraps around my waist, the other holding my hand as we sway gently with the music.
Around us, I spot the others.
Finley and Koa laughing together.
Coach Dane with Carolina, surprisingly graceful for a man who yells for a living.
Annabeth tucked against Luca.
Tank and Dani looking like they’ve forgotten anyone else exists.
Watching them, something warm settles deep inside my chest.
These couples.
This team.
This strange little family they’ve built.
It’s special.
And somewhere along the way, I think I became part of it.
I tilt my head up toward Noah.
“Noah?”
“Yeah, Love?”
My heart pounds.
“Did I ever tell you that I love you?”
He stops moving instantly.
The music keeps playing around us, but he’s completely still.
“What?”
I swallow.
“I’m in love with you, Noah Walker.”
The words feel terrifying and wonderful all at once.
“And I want more than what we’ve been doing.”
His voice is softer now.
“What do you want?”
I take a breath.
“I think, I want everything with you. Because I think you’re my person.”
For a second, he just stares at me.
It’s a very long second.
Then he lets out a rough laugh.
“Yeah?”
His arms tighten around me.
“Well! It’s about bloody fucking time you figured it out.”
Before I can respond, he pulls me close and kisses me again.
This one is deeper.
Warmer.
Certain.
“I love you, Chiara,” he murmurs against my lips. “So fucking much.”
“You do?”
“I’m so in love with you. Didn’t you know? I’m bloody arse over teakettle crazy about you, Love.”
“That makes a terrifying mental image,” I murmur and do a little sob laugh thing.
He cups my cheeks.
“You are everything to me, Chiara Giardino. The only woman I have ever loved, and I’m yours. Completely, irrevocably yours.”
I smile at him.
He wipes tears from my cheeks I didn’t even know were there.
I tighten my grip on his shoulders.
He leans down and kisses me.
And as the music swells around us, he pulls me closer, guiding us back into the rhythm of the dance.