Epilogue
One year later
I ADD ONE final ornament to the Christmas tree: a golden key, in honour of the apartment Rudy and I bought together in New York.
I hang it next to the silver microphone symbolizing Rudy’s music career.
After last year’s party, another video of Rudy went viral—this time it was footage of him singing All I Want for Christmas Is You.
He obviously sounded as incredible as ever, but the added visual of Mr. Cahill taking a whizz against the Christmas tree just gave it the extra little je-ne-sais-quoi it needed to really take off on a global scale.
Rudy’s manager was unamused that he had broken their agreement, but she also had to admit it was the kind of publicity money can’t buy. The video launched New Dawn’s popularity into the stratosphere—something Sheila never could have pulled off with her deceitful publicity tricks.
I step back and take a moment to admire the tree filled with memories.
It turned out great, didn’t it? I say to Rudy, who’s reading on the couch. I can’t wait for my parents to see it.
They’re going to love it, too, he replies. His voice holds an obvious hint of laughter at my excitement.
My parents and my brother are spending Christmas in New York this year. They get along so much better now that they’re divorced, and they don’t mind spending special occasions like Christmas together—particularly if an awesome vacation is part of the deal.
When I decided to stay in New York, I had all my other belongings shipped over, Christmas decorations included. After hearing about my collection, Marcel, Mariana, and Patrice gifted me an ornament with the logo for our new company: Events to Remember.
Patrice eventually lost all interest in working for Karen because of the brazenly outrageous ways Karen treated her every day.
And Mariana, Marcel, and I were just as tired of her angry outbursts.
The kind of boss who thrives on putting people down is hardly the kind of boss you gladly stick around for.
It only took a few conversations around the office to realize we weren’t the only ones feeling that way.
Shortly after that, the four of us decided to launch our own event management company together.
And because we—not Karen—were the ones in close daily contact with the agency’s clients, many of them quickly decided to make the switch to our new company instead.
The Make a Mark Events board of directors held Karen responsible for the mass resignations, especially since the company was understaffed to begin with.
But even after she got fired, we never considered going back to our old jobs.
Our new business was running smoothly and we were having the absolute best time together.
I still thank my lucky stars for meeting all these wonderful people here—I know that’s not exactly a common experience for every newcomer to the country.
I let my gaze drift over the branches of our perfect Christmas tree. From my grad cap to the Statue of Liberty to—
Puzzled, I lean in to get a closer look. I don’t remember putting that one up . . . It’s a light blue ornament from Tiffany’s with big, shimmering letters that read She said yes!
Rudy? I ask, turning to face him. Wha—
My breath catches in my throat and I clasp a hand to my mouth when I discover Rudy down on one knee, holding a light blue square box in his hand.
He flips it open to reveal a white gold ring topped with a sparkling diamond.
The Christmas tree lights cast a warm glow on the diamond that reflects tiny sprinkles of rainbow colour onto Rudy’s gorgeous face.
He swallows hard and lets out a shaky breath.
Emma, he begins, his voice full of emotion.
Not a day goes by that I don’t realize how fortunate I am that you kicked me out of that window seat on the plane only to discover that you were the woman next door who would ultimately become my best friend.
You are the person I want to wake up next to every morning and you are who I want to fall asleep with every night.
When we’re both shrivelled and ancient, you’re the one I want to sit on the porch with, remembering our lives together.
His hazel eyes fill with love as he speaks and I can feel tears beginning to sting my eyes.
So, Emma Maas, will you make me the happiest man in the world by becoming my wife?
Even at the first word of his question, I’m already nodding so vigorously that a few bobby pins pop out of my pinned-up hair.
Yes! I scream, as I hold out my hand. Yes, yes, yes!
Rudy gets up from his knee with a grin, beaming with joy as he slides the ring onto my finger. I gaze at the sparkling diamond for a moment, then fling myself around his neck. His arms grip around me tightly, drawing me so close to him. Like he never wants to let go.
How awkward would that ornament have been if you’d said no? he wonders out loud, his breath teasing through my hair.
Pretty awkward. But that was the kind of risky proposal I’d expect from the overconfident musician I love so much. And with a chuckle, I press my lips to his.