I sigh. “That makes sense.” And it would make me feel better to know she has something to fear. “But not Ashlynn. She was desperate and I really don’t think she wanted to hurt us.”
“You have a soft heart,” he says, brushing his knuckles over my cheek. “You also have mine.”
The words mean everything to me but even more importantly, he backs them up with actions every single day. “You have my heart,” I tell him. “And I’ll do my best to show you how I feel. To never take what we have for granted.”
He kisses me for a brief moment before he lifts his head and his gorgeous green eyes stare into mine. “We have a bright future ahead of us, sweetheart. I promise.”
“I’m going to hold you to that,” I tell him.
And then his lips come down on mine and he kisses me for real.
EPILOGUE
Lucas
Rainey sandwiched theThunder’s winning season with another party at Midnight to wrap up the 50thanniversary celebrations. The Super Bowl win is a bonus for the team. I’m proud of all she’s accomplished for them this season and how she handled both Blaire and Ashlynn with class and grace. With Blaire’s admission and arrest, she ultimately pled guilty and was sentenced to community service, and had to pay a hefty fine. Rainey hasn’t seen or heard from her since the night of the party.
Now, Rainey is mingling with her family at a successful final event. Wearing a black minidress with chunky gold jewelry, she sparkles.
“Hey.” Jack comes up beside me, two drinks in his hands. He gives me one. “I realize this is six months late in coming, but I was wrong. You’re the best guy Rainey could have chosen.” He lifts his glass and touches it to mine.
We both take a sip of bourbon. I appreciate his admission. But things between us have been normal and after that day at my house and the one punch, we’ve been fine. I never blamed him, assuming if I had a sister who fell for a guy with my background, I’d feel the same way.
“How are the building permits coming along in Charleston?” I ask of the place we’ve agreed to open our second nightclub.
“Slow. But that’s city bureaucracy for you.” He looks around the party, going quiet.
This has been something he’s done often since his return. Going quiet. Getting lost in thought. “Hey, you okay?” I ask, and not for the first time.
He nods.
I don’t believe him. Something happened on his scouting trip to the three cities. Something that changed him in subtle ways only a close friend would recognize.
Knowing I’m not going to get any information out of him as I’ve tried many times, I decide to change the subject. “I’m going to ask your sister to marry me,” I tell him.
He jerks toward me, eyes wide. “You think you could have prepared me more? Segued into the conversation or something? Congratulations!”
I laugh. “What makes you sure she’ll say yes?” I ask, though I’m confident that she will.
We’re all but living together in her apartment. It wasn’t a difficult choice. It was easier for me to move my things into hers than all her clothing, toiletries, andthingsinto mine.
“I’ve never seen two people more in love and in sync than you two, expect maybe my parents,” Jack says. “Not that you need it, but you have my blessing.”
“Thanks, man. That means a lot.”
I’d already asked Ian for his permission to marry his daughter. After a stern glare that would have scared off a lesser man, he’d shaken my hand and told me not to hurt her because if I did, he’d hire someone to shoot me.
I’d said, “Fair enough.” And walked out of his home shaking. A little.
I glance at my friend. “We’ve come a long way with this place.”
Jack nods. “We have, and I’m proud of what we’ve accomplished.” He puts a hand on my shoulder. “Well, what areyou waiting for? Go ask my sister to shackle herself to you for life.”
Chuckling, I place my drink down on the table and head off to do just that.
I scan the room and find Rainey standing alone on a balcony, taking in the party, a smile on her face.
I wind my way through the guests and walk up the stairs to where she’s standing. “Hey.”
