Epilogue – Andrea
EPILOGUE
SIX MONTHS LATER
ANDREA
Harrison’s hand rested warm and steady at my back as engineers worked high above us, bolting his name into place on the freshly updated Starbucks sign.
Well, CROSSbucks…
“You really didn’t need to change the company’s name.”
“I know, but it’s the principle.” He smiled. “You should know that by now.”
“Are you going to tell me when you plan to merge it with Sweet Seasons, or keep acting like that’s not your ultimate plan?”
“It’s not at all.”
“Come on, Harrison.” I looked up at him. “It makes perfect sense, and it makes things a lot easier.”
“For who?”
“You.”
“Quite the contrary.” He pulled me closer, his arm firm around my waist. “My girlfriend is the CFO at Sweet Seasons, and I appointed someone else as CEO because I don’t want power to be the thing that complicates us.”
“You appointed Aaron.”
“Still—” He smirked. “The point is, Ciara and I will run Crossbucks, and you’ll stay at Sweet Seasons until you decide you don’t want to anymore.”
“Okay,” I said. “I believe you.”
“Keeping things separate also helps with marital assets.” His voice dropped, intimate and certain, and my stomach flipped at what he was implying. “I’d give you everything I have without question, which is exactly why I don’t want lawyers defining what’s ours, but—”
“But what?” My voice was hoarse.
He smiled like he already knew my answer but wanted to hear it anyway. “You know how I feel about needing spoilers.” His fingers slid through my hair. “Your sister is throwing a party tonight… If I were to propose and tell you I can’t see the rest of my life without you, what would you say?”
“Since you’re a businessman,” I said, my voice cracking as tears slipped down my cheeks, “I’d say it depends on how good the proposal is.”
“I see.” He pressed his lips against mine, whispering, “I can assure you it’s a very good one—and the terms of my offer are the best I’ve ever made…”
“Any shady or hidden clauses?”
“There’s a rule about you never leaving me.”
“I’d say yes,” I whispered. “It’ll be a hell yes…”
THE END