The words send electricity through me, the same spark I felt during our first text conversation. But this time, it's grounded in reality instead of fantasy.
"Forever is a long time, Maxim."
"Not long enough."
He kisses me then, soft and sure and full of promise. When we break apart, Ghost has moved closer, clearly deciding I'macceptable pack material. Ranger is snoring against my leg, completely unconcerned with human drama.
"They like you," Maxim observes.
"Good. Because I like them too. I like this." I gesture around at the mountains, the cabin, the life he's built here. "I like who you are when you're not trying to manage anything."
"Even the billionaire part?"
"Even the billionaire part,” I confirm. “Do you know how many rescue organizations I can help you find with your money? How many marketing campaigns we can build together around wildlife conservation?"
His smile is brilliant. "Are you already planning to spend my money?"
I flash him a flirty look before laughing. "Yes. But only on matters you told me you care about. If we're doing this, we're doing it as partners. Equal partners, even if your bank account has more zeros."
"Equal partners," he agrees. "In everything."
We spend the rest of the day talking through the practical realities of building a life together. Where we'll live, how we'll handle his business responsibilities, what my career might look like if I'm not tied to Atlanta. It's complicated and messy and requires compromises from both of us.
It's also the most hopeful conversation I've ever had.
That night, as we lie in his bed with Ghost claiming the chair by the window and Ranger sprawled across the foot of the mattress, I feel something I've never felt before. Complete contentment. Like all the pieces of my life have finally clicked into place.
"Chantay?" Maxim's voice is soft in the darkness.
"Mmm?"
"Thank you."
"For what?"
"For giving us a second chance. For coming here to see who I really am. For loving me enough to demand the truth."
"Thank you for being brave enough to show me."
"I love you, Chantay Rose Jackson."
"I love you too, Maxim James Chen."
As I drift off to sleep in his arms, surrounded by the quiet sounds of his mountain sanctuary, I realize that sometimes the best things in life really do start with accidents. Wrong numbers that turn out to be exactly right. Mistakes that lead to the person you didn't know you were looking for.
And sometimes, if you're very lucky, they lead to forever.
EPILOGUE
CHANTAY
EIGHTEEN MONTHS LATER
"Are you sure about this?" Maya asks for the tenth time as she adjusts my veil. "I mean, I know you love him, but getting married in the middle of nowhere Nevada? What if people get lost?"
"Maya, relax. The only people who matter are already here." I smooth my hands over the simple ivory dress that perfectly suits an outdoor mountain wedding. "Besides, GPS exists."
"GPS doesn't account for your husband's paranoia about privacy. I swear we passed three security checkpoints getting up here."
