Epilogue
EPILOGUE
(One year later)
“I'm so sorry. This will take two minutes,” I assure her.
Charlie rolls her eyes and I know the look. My idea of two minutes is the equivalent of her ‘I'll be right out’ on date nights.
It’s Charlie’s twenty-sixth birthday. She’s been living with me for over a year and today—I’m making sure it’s forever.
I step out of the car and come around to open her door. She sighs dramatically as she steps out, following me toward the front entrance of Avery Hall.
“No fair. You didn't let me work today. And we're expecting a shipment."
“I'm not working either. I just forgot my camera in one of the dark rooms."
A few months ago, I accepted an offer to teach digital photography at the university. It’s only once a week, but a good creative break from my law practice—something my girlfriend insisted I needed.
“I want to have it for your birthday dinner tonight. We'll finally have everyone together, and Dad wants a nice group shot to hang over the bar.” That part is true.
“Wow,” Charlie breathes, stepping into the dark empty atrium and taking in the sight that holds my most cherished memory of her. She laughs softly. “It’s been a minute.”
I take her hand. “Yeah, not much has changed. Not even the restrooms, unfortunately. Come on. My room is up here.” I take the narrow side stairwell rather than the grand staircase.
Charlie glances back at it but follows me.
Stepping into my room, I move at an urgent pace, looking for the camera I'd left here on purpose before the weekend.
“Is it…this one here?” She points to one on the far table.
Yes.
“Nope. No, that’s not the one.”
She frowns with confusion. “Oh. They all look alike. What’s the difference?”
“Don’t be silly.” I continue to feign the search until my phone rings. Barely checking the screen, I hold it up. “Ooh. I’ve got to take this.”
“Now?”
“I won’t be long. Just feel free to roam around.” I wink. “I’ll be out in a minute.”
There’s always something special about visiting the old campus years after you’ve graduated. It hits you with all those familiar senses.
And mine…are making my stomach buzz with excitement. Because after all the new memories we made, this one will always be my favorite.
I glance behind me, silently hoping his call lasts a little longer. We're on the second level and I drift to the other side of the atrium toward the top of the grand staircase.
I keep my eyes on it as I get closer, seeing the younger version of myself from six years ago—feeling stupid and clueless on that top step.
I run my hand along the wooden rail as I make the circle, happy that Noah brought me along for the pit stop.
I was pleasantly surprised when Noah accepted the part-time position here in the winter. But then again, since cutting his law office hours to only twice a week and hiring two junior attorneys, he’s had a lot more time to spend with family, me, and the bookstore.
Charlie’s Web has become a second home to me. And not because Noah and I moved a lot of my parents' treasured belongings to the store, giving it a homier feel. But because it was built by people who make me feel at home.
The building went up shortly after the summer, so we were able to open just in time for the new school year, and it’s been such a success.
I owe all of it to Noah.
I owe all of it to all of them . And in another few months, I’ll be able to pay them back for it.
I understand why Noah refuses to let me pay him back, but it’s becoming increasingly frustrating when Chase and Levi refuse to accept monthly payments from our revenue.
Although Levi did say he’d accept payment in the form of letting Jackson hang out at the store this summer with me since school is out and he still can’t find a nanny.
I didn't have the heart to tell him the bookstore is no place for a ten-year-old to spend his summer, but maybe we'll make a lemonade stand or something.
I reach the stairs and plop down in the very spot where I got my nicknames and smile to myself.
Charlie.
Little Web.
Crazy.
You’d think Little Web was my favorite. But I prefer Crazy .
There’s an acceptance there. Loving me not despite my wackiness but because of it. It always makes me smile.
Little Web is reserved for the bedroom.
The heavy wooden door groans open from the lobby and I squint at the sunlight piercing into the dark space.
I blink when the visitor comes into view. “Mr. Reeves?”
“Charlie, hey.” He glances around. "Happy birthday.”
"Thanks. Um…what…what are you doing here?”
He drags a hand across his bearded jaw. “Well, Noah mentioned he forgot his camera here and I was just going to pick it up.”
“Oh. That was nice of you." I offer. And strange. The campus is twenty minutes out of town. He must really want that group photo. Which I'm still feeling weird being a part of. "Noah is grabbing it now though."
He nods but doesn't move.
"You’re welcome to stay here and wait with me. He had to take a call.”
He frowns and sits beside me. “On your birthday? That doesn’t seem right.”
I brush it off. “That’s okay. I got breakfast in bed, a picnic by the lake, a new pair of boots—oh and we’ve got that family dinner tonight.”
He smiles thoughtfully and I blush. “I mean your family—and me. But you know you guys have always felt like family to me, so…”
He puts an arm around my shoulders and gives me a squeeze. “Charlie, you know I’ve considered you part of the family since you and Noah met.”
My grin falls. “Oh.”
He runs a hand down his face. “And I’ve always wondered if you secretly resented me for calling my son that night to tell him where you were.”
I gasp. “Oh no. Never. I’ve always admired you. You could try as hard as you want, Mr. Reeves, you’re a saint in our eyes.”
“Our?”
“My mother and I. She always was a good judge of people. Could read them like a book. And she liked you. Said you raised amazing boys. Survived unimaginable heartbreak. Saved an Inn and…still stayed handsome.”
He chuckles, it’s warm and contagious.
“I’m glad to hear that, Charlie. I never had any daughters. Now I get the bonus without having to raise one."
I laugh and wave him off. "I was easy."
He scoffs. "You say it like I wasn't good friends with your dad and didn't hear all about how 'easy' you were."
I tilt my head with a thoughtful smile.
"So if there’s no hard feelings between us and I could consider you one of my own…I’d be honored if you’d let me walk you down the aisle.”
“What?”
He smiles in response and turns his gaze to the bottom of the stairs—where Noah is standing. A camera hanging over his shoulder.
Aiden stands as if it's his cue. “I’ll see you tonight.” He walks down, passing Noah on his way out and giving him a quick pat on the shoulder.
The door closes behind Aiden, and I pose as Noah snaps a quick photo of me before jogging up the steps to sit beside me.
“Hey, Crazy.”
I watch him with a suspicious smile. "What's going on?"
“I tricked you.”
I raise my brow. “I'm picking up on that."
“I wanted a picture of you sitting right here.”
“You already have one of those.”
“Not a recent one.” He sets the camera aside and takes my hands.
"What makes it so special?" I tease.
“This spot right here, this is where some undergrad opened my heart again. I can't explain how—couldn't back then and can't now. It's one of those profound soul connections people claim to feel when they meet the one."
I giggle. "That's what that look was? I just thought you couldn't figure me out and started wondering where the psych department was."
He grins, brushing my hair from my face. “At the moment, I thought I’d finally found someone cool around here. And…she happens to be hot. Plus and minus there.”
Another laugh spills from my lips.
“You became my best friend. Then, for a brief while, my girlfriend. All that time I thought I was keeping my heart from you. Felt guilty for it. Truth is, you’ve had it all along.”
I lean into his touch.
“And baby, I never want it back." He reaches into the small compartment in the leather camera case and pulls out a ring. I gasp at the round, elegant diamond, blinking at its unique light lavender color.
He lowers himself two steps, kneeling in front of me. I grip his forearms.
“I want to spend my life with you. I want to be wrapped up in your web—which turns out isn’t all that little. It’s had a good grip on me since I first sat on this step, looking at my future."
I swipe at a tear. "I'm never going to understand why me."
His grin fades and he strokes my cheek. "Marry me. And I'll happily spend every day reminding you."
My head bobs as tears spill. "Yes." I reach for him and pull him beside me, giving him my hand.
His eyes mist as he laughs, slipping the ring on my finger. "It's official. You're my it will always be you ."
Thank you for reading The Ruined .