Epilogue
SYLVIE
Opal squeezes my hand as we make our way through the Louvre, her wide eyed stare on all the paintings and art surrounding us.
She doesn’t even appear to care that it’s busy as hell and we’re wedged between a hulking, sweaty man and a potential pickpocket.
Thank God for Hunter, because there’s something about his hard stare that keeps the little creeps away.
We make a three-person chain as Opal guides us through the museum towards the Greek Antiquities section. I’ve been here before, but I say nothing to Opal and just let her do as she wants, allowing her excitedly talk about everything she knows.
She’s also the only one who has an actual understanding of the language. My skills are a little rusty.
Ahead, a museum attendant—a guide maybe—waves us over and says something like, exclusive exhibit to Opal, who nods along. She looks back at her father and me and says, “It’s a limited-time exhibit. Can we check it out?”
I give her hand a squeeze and look back at her dad. “I mean, we’re here. Might as well.”
Hunter clears his throat. “Yeah. What she said.”
Good Lord, you can take the man out of the small town, but you can’t take the small town out of the man. He sticks out like a sore thumb with his flannel and jeans, but I can’t complain.
It’s a really hot combo.
And he scares the thieves, so that’s a bonus.
The guide lets us into a dark exhibit. There are no lights except for a few small ones illuminating the walkway. As I look around, the door closes behind us. “Uh, are we sure this is an exhibit?” I ask.
As soon as the words leave my mouth, the lights come on and my breath catches in my throat.
Around us are our friends and family; my brothers Silas and Tobias stand together despite always fighting when they’re in a room with one another, Lydia and Cade are nearby holding hands, both Link and Finn are across the room.
My best friend, whom I ditched to move to Willow Ridge, grins at me from where she stands with my brothers. My other friend from college waves.
Both Opal and Hunter release my hands, and as I turn to them, Hunter drops to one knee.
I don’t know whether I feel sick or surprised as he pulls out a ring box. But what I do know is my answer, even before he asks.
“Yes,” I whisper, laughing.
“I didn’t even say anything,” he says, eyes shining. The look on his face is so full of wonder and hope it makes tears form in my eyes.
“You don’t need to,” I reply, stepping up to him, my heart pounding and stomach fluttering. “The answer is yes. It’s always yes.”
“I don’t know what I did to deserve you,” he says, rising, “but I thank Opal every day for making that bid.”
The room erupts in laughter, but I just grab my future stepdaughter and drag her into a hug, because I’m just as thankful for her, too.
“I love you,” I whisper. “Both of you.”
And even if the auction turned my life upside down, I wouldn’t have it any other way.
THE END