I can’t help but grin as Kai pulls me even closer against him and jogs down the entrance, tearing through the painted banner at the base.
A thunderous cheer breaks over the crowd.
The marching band drums out a victory cheer as the trumpets blast in celebration. People are on their feet at once, waving, cheering, and clapping to the beat.
Warmth pools around my heart as I soak up the excitement. It’s the perfect display of the celebration happening inside of me. Kai is back in my life. Sure, we’ll have to spend the first few months of that life apart, but what are a few months compared to a lifetime? A lifetime, I remind myself as the crowd cheers, spent with Kai Kingsley.
Epilogue
Day 1 for the new guys
“I kind of like this idea,”Kai says as we wait for the camera crew to give us our cue.
I give him a playful nudge. “Youwould.” At least one of us likes the idea of going on TV yet again. This time, to greet Time Warp’s newest contestants.
Kai wraps his arm behind me and nuzzles his nose into my neck. “Come on, admit it. You like this too.”
Marsha Langston, who’s “present” via a face time call with the on-site director, gives us a holler. “I have an engagement gift for you two.”
Yes, engagement is right. Kai popped the big question over Christmas break while our families were there to witness. Since then, I touch my engagement ring a dozen times per waking hour to remind myself that it’s real.
The on-site director—here for just the first episode—holds out his arm. A gift bag dangles from his fingertips.
I take hold of the bag and look inside.
“Before you open it,” Marsha says, “let me give you a heads-up about our next contestants. The couple arriving doesnotknowwhichof their exes is going to show up. They claim to hate each other now. In fact, one even gave me what I might legally call a threat if it ends up being the certain someone I have in store for them.”
A smile crosses the shrewd woman’s face as she smooths her hair behind one ear. “I think it’s just a front. Okay, open your gift.”
It takes only a moment after removing the paper to recognize the wooden box. The one filled withhis and hersprompts.
I lift it from the bag to see that they have, in fact, now personalized those tabs to read Kai and Nikki. There’s a small plaque on the front too.
Kai reads it aloud. “Your days here are numbered, so make them count.”
It’s the quote that helped me abandon my foolish rules in the house and make the most of my time there. It’s also the very notion that urged me to chase after Kai and admit that he was right and I was wrong.
“Thank you,” Kai and I say in unison.
Kai leans in and presses a soft kiss to my lips. “Make each day count,” he mumbles. “I plan on it.”
“I’m getting word that our couple is very close now,” Marsha says. “They’ll arrive in five, one after the other.”
“The ones who hate each other,” Kai confirms.
“Loathe,” Marsha corrects with a dark laugh.
I shoot a half-horrified, half-entertained look at Kai. I can hardly believe we agreed to host their first greetinglive.
“This is going to be good,” he says. “Hopefully, they can get past their differences and get a happily ever after like me and Nikki.”
I grin, grateful that Kai is finally home for good. He passed the bar exam, moved back to Arizona, and already secured a jobandan apartment. One I’ll move into once we take our vows.
Oh, and I secured Millie as a partner after all. She reached out saying she loved the show, and she’s partnering with me whether her business manager agrees or not.
“I hope they do too,” I say, putting my mind back on the couple soon to arrive. “But I do have one correction. Whatwe’vefound,” I say, pressing onto tiptoes to peck Kai on the lips. “Isn’t an ending at all. It’s just the beginning.”
“True, true,” Marsha says. “Oh, it sounds like the first contestant is just around the corner. Is everyone ready?”
