“Your place has a hot tub.”
“Oh, yeah. It does.”
“Zane?” she huffs and I finally give in.
“Because it’s you. B. Everything about this apartment screams Blair, and you know I want to give you the world.”
“I appreciate that but—”
“Uh-uh. Just look at it.” Grabbing her shoulders, I spin her around and walk her through the apartment, pointing out the little details that make this placeherhome. “Look at the ivy climbing up the exterior wall, making you feel like you’re bathing in nature, while you stare out of the window, taking in the view. Now shh. Listen.” I fall silent, giving Blair the chance to hear what I hear, covering her mouth when she begins to laugh. “The proximity to the beach means you can hear the waves crashing from anywhere in the apartment, reminding you of home. Of Sierra. You know she’d agree with me if she was here.” Blair glances over her shoulder, her eyes wide as she looks at me, but I continue on. I’m not done yet. “Next you have the mountain view from the master bedroom. I know it’s not the huge mountains you’re used to in LA, but it gives the same vibe. A sneak peek of your solace. Something for you to dream about whenever I piss you off. And on top of that, you have the warmth, the quiet street, the home office. I wasn’t kidding when I said you should write our story. Either way, it’s perfect for you.”
Blair shakes in my arms but otherwise remains silent, and I wonder if I’ve said the wrong thing. “B?”
She turns to look at me, her eyes glistening with unshed tears. “That may have been the corniest thing you’ve ever said, but thank you. For seeing me and for always putting me first, even when I think you’re not paying attention.”
“I’m always paying attention.Always. What do you say?”
With trembling lips, she nods a few times, walking backward toward the door. “We’ll take it.” She calls for Suzanne and spins around, throwing herself into my arms, pressing her lips to mine. Her kiss is chaste, and when she pulls back her sassy grin has me desperate to get her alone. I love it when the playful, carefree Blair comes out.
“What’s that look for?” I ask, lifting her until she wraps her legs around my waist, my body heating at the thought of seeing her happy. In this home.
“I’ve changed my mind.” She rubs her nose against mine and laughs, a new giddiness about her.
“You don’t want the apartment?”
“Oh, I do, Idefinitelydo. But I want it to be ours. I want you to move in with me.”
“Yeah?” My chest tightens as my pulse spikes.
“Yeah. Because as much as this place is me, it’s you too. And I can’t imagine living here without you.”
“Thank fuck.” I sigh dramatically and Blair kisses me hard, most likely to shut me up. But I don’t care. I’ve finally got the girl and we’re finally starting our happily ever after.
We joke about it sometimes, but I have no doubt that if Sierra was watching over us, right now she’d be rolling her eyes, breathing a sigh of relief. She’d absolutely be thinking…about fucking time.
And she’d be right.
EPILOGUE TWO
Two years later
ZANE
Awarmth surrounds me as I stare out toward the ocean, Blair curled under my arm, her eyes closed as she takes in the calm.
After finally saying Sierra’s name, it took me another six months to come back here. To allow myself to be happy in her favorite spot. To move on.
Now, it’s a tradition. Every time we’re in Jacksonville, visiting Blair’s family, we make sure to come here. To take a moment to remember her. To allow ourselves to feel.
Sometimes, like now, we use the time to talk to Sierra, fill her in on the news—or gossip, in Blair’s case—anything we can to keep her alive.
“Oh! Nathan got engaged to his teammate’s sister. And get this… They met when she joined the team as the new nurse. Thenurse! It was a huge deal, surrounded by a whole bunch of drama. But I’m happy for them. I’m glad he never told me that the Suns were looking for a nurse. Life turned out much better because of his ignorance. But I do hope he treats his fiancée better than he treated me.”
I let out a laugh, interrupting Blair, and her eyes flash my way. “Sorry, go on.”
“No, what are you laughing at?”
The curve of her brows makes me cringe. “We both know he’s not treating her better. And I for one am happy he’s a fuckup; it would have been much harder to get you back if he wasn’t.”
