Epilogue
Eleven months later
“You don’t know how much I needed this,” Emma says from the lounger next to mine.
Sun ledges are one of the best inventions as far as I’m concerned. Plenty of sun up top, but the pool water laps at my hips, keeping me cool.
“Oh, believe me, I do,” I agree, eyes closed behind my sunglasses. A big floppy hat hides most of my face from the summer sun. It was Kingston’s turn to slather me in suntan lotion today, and let’s just say my husbands are all very serious about that particular task.
If there’s a bathing suit on my wardrobe hook, one of them shows up with SPF in hand. Even when we’re hanging out at my dad’s Hamptons house, and even though I’m a grown woman who can put her own sunscreen on.
Hard to believe our anniversary is next month. I see more rubdowns in my future since King has planned a trip to Cannes for the four of us.
Right now, they’re volleying a ball back and forth between them in the shallow end.
“Why can’t we do this every day?” my cousin asks in a teasing tone.
“Work?” I quip. Being the youngest president in company history is no joke. Days off are few and far between, but we all managed to find a long weekend to relax.
“Hmm. Right.” There’s an undercurrent in her tone that I don’t recognize.
Lifting the brim of my hat, I roll my head along the lounger and glance at her.
Now that I think about it, she hasn’t been her normal, light-hearted self this weekend.
She’s smiling and laughing in all the right moments, but something has dimmed her sparkle, and I don’t like that.
I don’t know anyone as kind or considerate as my cousin, so I’m hoping it’s just a headache that has her down.
Nevertheless, I ask the question. “Something on your mind?”
No sooner do the words leave my lips than the back door slams open, shattering the peaceful afternoon. My brother bursts from the shadows, races across the terrace, and shouts as he launches feet first into the pool. Fully. Clothed.
“Yeah!”
The splash rains down on us, and of course, we scream while trying to ward off the shower. Our hands do little to protect us from the droplets.
“What the hell, dude?” King barks as soon as Ford surfaces.
Ford shakes his head, his golden hair slinging water droplets in every direction. “Dad’s finally buying a hockey team!”
The delight on his face makes me grin. It’s about time. Ford’s been bugging Dad about that forever. The fact that our father and uncle co-own a professional football team? Meh. Who cares?
When it comes to games on grass, polo is Ford’s sports ball game of choice.
But I’m pretty sure hockey is his first love.
“Really?” King asks, hurling the ball at Alex so he can wade toward my brother. They practically drown each other in their glee.
Gabe joins the mix because, of course, he does. He and King bonded over the game. Alex could take it or leave it. A super fan he is not. Ball forgotten, he makes his way over to the sun shelf. How is it possible that he’s even more handsome these days?
Hands bracing on the edge of the ledge, his muscles bulge and glisten beneath the sunlight. My brain short-circuits at the sight of those broad shoulders as he pushes out of the pool, looking like a photoshoot come to life. He settles, half turned my way, near my feet.
King and Gabe chat excitedly with Ford about the timeline of the purchase and, of course, which box they’re going to buy so they never miss a goal. They’re so cute when they’re excited like this. The worldly veneer falls away, and they’re just two guys.
Even though the four of us have been happily nesting, I wouldn’t call the last year easy. Or uneventful. My mother’s trial has kept my family in the spotlight, and despite being legally wed, gaining my inheritance wasn’t exactly smooth.
Gabe and I have sorted out our working relationship, but not everyone is on board with our merger. Ninety percent of our ideas are met with tremendous pushback from the Chanler & Cort board. Shocker.
King’s making a name for himself with environmentally friendly redesigns, both on land and on yachts.
Unfortunately, that takes him away from us a fair amount.
In fact, our travel schedule has its own color-coded calendar, thanks to Alex.
But all the hardships are worth it when we find ourselves together at the end of a long day.
“I see a lot of hockey games in my future,” I muse. Then to Emma, “Guess we’ll have to go sweater shopping.”
She gives the most ladylike snort she can muster. “They’re going to be in matching sweaters.”
“Yeah. It’ll be dorky but adorable.” I can’t wait. I can’t wait for all the amazing things life has in store for us.
Ford snags the ball, passing it smoothly to King as he narrates in his best commentator voice.
“He shoots,” King shouts, sweeping the ball across the water as if it’s a puck and his hand is the stick.
Gabe is stationed in front of us, hands out, ready to play goalie, but he misses. The ball careens our way, and Alex spikes it back at them. It sails beneath King’s arm with centimeters to spare.
“He scores!” Ford announces.
“So much for our quiet afternoon,” I say. The melee isn’t going to die down any time soon, knowing my little brother.
Emma stands. “That’s okay. I’m going to take a nap. This headache hasn’t let up.”
“Aww, I’m sorry.”
She’s suffered from migraines for years. I’m sure the bright light and noise aren’t helping.
She stands and glances at the guys. “I’m glad someone’s happy.”
She disappears into my dad’s pool house before I can reply.
“You know,” Alex’s voice diverts my attention from my worry about my cousin. “We do own a house on this road.”
Promising myself I’ll check on Emma later, I tug my sunglasses to the tip of my nose and smirk at my tall, dark, and oh-so-handsome husband. “You don’t say.”
The corner of his mouth lifts. “It’s quiet there.”
“Say less.”
With that intense expression I adore, he vaults to his feet and the next thing I know, I’m over his shoulder, giggling as he makes a beeline around the side of the house. And because I know my guys, I’d bet my bank account that Gabe and King will be right behind us.
Speaking of behinds…
Those swim trunks make Alex’s ass extra biteable. I give it a swat. His shoulder digs into my middle, but I don’t care. He’s my man of action, and I love him for it. I’m utterly safe in his arms.
“I love you.” I can’t say it enough.
“Love you too, Beauty.”
“Wait up,” King calls.
Called it.
Their footsteps crunch across the gravel as they swarm us.
“In you go,” Alex murmurs, putting me down so carefully into the back of the Range Rover. Right next to Gabe, who reaches for me immediately.
“Come here, Princess.”
I go willingly, settling myself in his lap, wet swimsuits be damned.
King slides in next to us, lifting my feet to make room.
Alex is behind the steering wheel, starting the engine before we’re even settled.
I will forever love and appreciate their urgent desire to be alone.
Just the four of us. It doesn’t matter where we are or what we’re wearing. All that matters is being together.
Wondering who Katherine is legally married to? Find out in the bonus epilogue.