Epilogue
HUDSON
“ I should have burned it down when I had the chance.”
I choke on my laugh when I turn to Wilde and see the way he’s glaring up at house two.
As the flagship house of our whole project, we’re using it as the prototype for the external facing, and with all the shiplap gone, it looks fucking awesome.
We’ve gone back and forth on whether ultramodern was the way to go and in the end decided against it.
We might be giving Old End a revamp, but there must be something in the air out here because it didn’t feel right to bring a whole head of steel and cement out here.
In the end, the houses will look like cabins. Well, mega cabins. All timber and stone with wide balconies at the front and huge windows looking toward the foresty hill at the back.
“Admit it,” I say, elbowing him in the ribs. “It looks fucking amazing.”
“Whoever buys it has more money than brains.”
“Let’s hope!” He can’t bring me down today. With the roof fully finished, I have a glimpse at how the street will turn out, and it’s fucking incredible. Wilde can grumble about the renovations all he likes; if he were really that unhappy about them, he wouldn’t be here every other day helping.
It’s why, no matter what, I’m determined to find a solution that’s going to suit us all.
With the money hole we’re in, we can’t not make money off this place, otherwise … what then? We leave, head home, have our business collapse, and end up with less than we started with?
I try not to picture that devastating future because it’s terrifying to even think that’s an option.
Especially when I glance over at Wilde, at his curly hair and neat beard and wary gaze, I don’t think it is anymore.
We still have a long way ahead of us before we’re done here, but more and more lately, I’ve been wondering about what happens when it is.
When this is all tied up and we’re ready to move on to the next thing, do I just …
pack it up and go home? To that apartment where everything is too loud and too cramped? Or … would he want me to stay?
I dart another look Wilde’s way and tug him around until he’s looking at me. It takes a moment for the caution in his eyes to fade and be replaced by the way he usually looks at me. The way that makes my chest feel too full.
“I’ve been thinking,” I say, because I might as well blurt it all out there, or we’ll never get through a conversation. He’s gotten a lot better at communicating, but even now, it’s sometimes hard to get the words out of him. “What happens when I’m done?”
“I’m not following.”
I wave a hand toward the houses. “Here. With this. What happens when it’s finished and I have nothing keeping me here anymore?”
His eyebrows inch higher. “Nothing? ”
Even months later, he still brings out the nerves in me. “That’s what I’m asking. I came here to work, and obviously, there’s still a lot to go, but once it is done … will I still have you?”
His features soften as he steps closer. “Do you want to still have me?”
“Would I be asking if I didn’t?”
It earns me one of his rare smiles. “I’m not going anywhere.”
“Not … not even if we can’t figure this out? What if I have to sell?”
He takes a long breath. “Then you have to sell.”
“Just like that?”
He shrugs, and I’m worried he won’t elaborate.
“If I haven’t made it obvious, I trust you.
I’m here because I want to be, and if I thought you’d get your money and run, that wouldn’t be the case.
I know you’ll do everything you can to find a solution and trust that if you have to sell, it’s because you have no other option. ”
My heart melts that he believes that. That even with all the shit behind us, he knows exactly who I am. He sees me. It’s all I’ve ever wanted. “I love you,” I find myself whispering. “So much.”
His searching gaze is the same one he’s given me a million times before. The one that reads every thought circling through my mind and gives him whatever answers he’s searching for.
“I love you so much it’s hard to breathe.”
I tug him to me, mouth finding his as I pour all the love I’m bursting with into the kiss.
Wilde’s strong arms wrap around me, and I wish we were alone.
Wish we could get lost in each other. We might not be romantic people, but sex is our love language, and whenever we’re together, it’s like the rest of the world doesn’t exist .
He’s my solid rock, and he gives me all the attention I never knew I needed.
Whereas I help him relax and open up, remind him that he’s a whole person, and it’s okay for him to want sometimes.
We work together.
That’s all I need.
Ziggy approaches us and nods off toward the forest edge. Slowly, I follow his gaze to see what he’s noticed.
“We have an audience.”
Gathered by the gravel road is a group of Wenders, watching as the roof is installed. I recognize them all, even if the names don’t immediately grab me, but in front are Lynx, Rooney, and Booker.
“They won’t come any closer,” Wilde says. “They’re just curious.”
I wouldn’t care if they did as long as they left Lynx behind, but I have no idea how my brothers would react to them. Thankfully, I don’t need to find out.
“We’ve got a crowd,” Kennedy says loudly as he comes our way. He slings an arm around Ziggy’s narrow shoulders, and the man blushes all the way out to his hairline. “Should I invite them over?”
“Nah, leave them.”
“You sure?” Hart asks, joining us. “That asshole has his machete again. Maybe I can convince him to land on me this time.”
Okay, so things are mostly good. I’m happy, Kennedy is protecting his heart, but Hartwell is still the same Hartwell.
I’m not giving up on him yet though.
Just like I won’t give up on finding a solution for this place.
Wilde’s my partner. He’s the one who respected me when no one else ever did .
He’s given me everything, and I’m going to do the same for him.
I’ve finally found what I’m living for.
THANK YOU FOR READING WILDE’S END!
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