Epilogue
Three Months Later
The end of semester party at Marcus's off-campus apartment is loud and chaotic and exactly the kind of normal college experience I never thought I'd have.
Isla is across the room, laughing with Ivy and Lennox about something. She's wearing my hoodie has basically stolen half my wardrobe at this point and she's never looked more beautiful.
"You're staring," Marcus observes, handing me a beer.
"I'm appreciating."
"That's what creepy people say before they get restraining orders."
"She's my girlfriend. I'm allowed to appreciate her."
"Girlfriend." Marcus grins. "Never thought I'd hear you say that word unironically."
"Neither did I. Turns out I'm full of surprises."
These past three months have been the best of my life. Isla and I are figuring this out day by day. Some days are harder than others, her insecurities about my world, my occasional backsliding into Thornhill behavior. But we're trying. Really trying.
I've stayed away from my father. He's sent emails, left voicemails, even showed up at Legacy House once. I didn't answer. Won't answer until he apologizes to Isla.
Surprisingly, I don't miss him. Don't miss the pressure or expectations or constant disappointment. What I miss is the father I wish I'd had. But that's a different grief.
Isla spots me watching and rolls her eyes. But she's smiling when she crosses the room and slides into my arms.
"Having fun?" I ask.
"Actually, yes. Your friends are less terrible than I expected."
"High praise."
"Don't get used to it." She kisses me quickly. "I have news."
"Good news or bad news?"
"Depends on your perspective. I got an internship offer. For this summer. At a publishing house in New York."
My heart sinks and soars at the same time. "New York. That's amazing."
"It's also three months away from you."
"We'll figure it out. Video calls, weekend visits, excessive texting." I pull her closer. "I'm not losing you to geography."
"You're sure? Because it's going to be hard—"
"Isla. We survived a fake dating contract, my asshole father, and your friends threatening to murder me. We can survive a summer apart."
"When you put it that way..."
"Besides, I might have my own New York plans."
She pulls back to look at me. "What plans?"
"There's a graduate program. Poetry writing. I applied on a whim." I haven't told anyone this. Not even Marcus. "I got in."
"Sebastian! That's incredible!"
"It's also in New York. Starting in the fall."
Her eyes widen. "You're moving to New York?"
"If you are, then yes. If you're not, then I'll figure something else out. But I'd prefer we figure it out together."
"You're moving to New York for me."
"I'm moving to New York for me. Because I want to study poetry. Want to do something I actually care about instead of following the path my father laid out." I cup her face. "But yes, the fact that you'll be there definitely influenced the decision."
She kisses me hard. "I love you."
It's the first time she's said it. The first time either of us has said it.
"Yeah?" I can barely breathe.
"Yeah. I love you, Sebastian Thornhill. Against all odds and better judgment. I love you."
"I love you too. Have loved you since that first day when you called me a heartless asshole."
"I wasn't wrong."
"You weren't right either. I had a heart. It just took you to find it."
"That's the cheesiest thing you've ever said."
"Get used to it. I'm a poet now. Cheese comes with the territory."
She laughs and kisses me again, and I think about how far we've come. From enemies to something real. From a thousand-dollar auction to a future we're building together.
It's not the ending I expected when I bid on her that night.
It's better.
"Hey," Isla murmurs against my lips. "Thank you."
"For what?"
"For not giving up. For fighting for this even when I walked away. For proving that you meant it."
"Always. I'll always fight for us."
"I know. That's why I love you."
We stay wrapped up in each other while the party continues around us. Our friends, our weird little chosen family, celebrating the end of one chapter and the beginning of another.
And for the first time in my life, I'm exactly where I'm supposed to be.
With the girl who saw through me.
Who called me out.
Who gave me a chance to be better.
Who taught me that love isn't about being perfect.
It's about choosing each other, every day, without hesitation.
And that's exactly what I intend to do.
For the rest of my life, if she'll let me.