Heat ran all the way up from my neck to my face. And I didn’t usually blush.
“Can you two please fuck off out of here for a minute?”
They laughed at that but went off to find the rest of the group, giving us some time alone.
Pearl looked at me for a second, almost as if she was remembering something, before she smiled.
“Is this what you meant when you said I should ask for more?”
My mind flashed back to the moment I cornered her in the cafe. When I told her to ask for more than a kiss next time. I was surprised she hadn’t put two and two together since I’d been too impatient to wait to send out the scholarship email some other day.
I had sent it from my phone the second I walked out of the coffee shop.
“This whole time?”
I cleared my throat, suddenly feeling embarrassed about it.
“When you didn't ask for more, I took it upon myself to make the decision for you.”
“And… About the auction… Was it a coincidence that you happened to be there for the very first Club Pétale auction when I just so happened to be up for grabs?
For a second, I thought she was mad at me, but then she dissolved into laughter. I let myself sink into it, an easy smile spreading across my face.
“Nothing about us is a coincidence. I just… gave fate a hand.” I pulled her to me. “I love you.”
Her arms immediately went around my waist.
“And I love you,” she said. “Thank you for always seeing me.”
I leaned down to kiss her forehead.
“Always. You’re mine, and I’m yours, remember?”
She sighed into me. “Always.”
Bonus Epilogue
Pearl
The office was completely empty save for one single room.
Emerson’s.
She was on averyimportant business call with one of her hardest-to-please board members.
Which is why this was such a perfect plan.
Her door was open, her voice filtering out as she negotiated with the person on the other line.
I walked through the office, my eyes set on her. She didn’t look up as I entered, her chair turned to the side. The thing that caught her attention was the sound of my heels clacking on the hard floor.
I closed the glass door behind me. When her gaze finally met mine, she gave me a small smile, totally unaware of what I was about to do.
“I’m glad we can agree on one thing,” she said and turned fully to face me.
I took one step at a time, a sly smile pulling at my lips. Then, when I got to the desk, I untied my trench coat.
Emerson’s gaze dropped to my scantily clad body, taking in every inch.
