A soft smile spread over her face. “A nursery.”
An hour later, I sat on a bench overlooking the lake. A pair of real swans swam along the surface, leaving V’s in the water behind them.
I felt like I was on the cusp of a new world. Natalie and Riley were married and a new life was coming.
Keira and Damien were a match made in hell and I couldn’t be happier for them.
Alfie’s time in his father’s shadow was done and I couldn’t wait to see what he would do next.
As for me, what would I do next? My new camera equipment was at Harrington waiting to be unpacked. I had a brain brimming full of ideas. I was terrified but I couldn’t wait to show the world what I could make.
“Hey, your sister said I’d find you out here.” Alfie’s voice interrupted my thoughts. I smiled, wondering if I would ever stop loving the sound of him talking.
“Yeah, I just needed some air—” My eyes widened, my mouth fell open as I stared at him. “What the hell are you wearing?”
Alfie stopped, looking down at his outfit. “I believe these are called jeans? And this is something called a t-shirt? I’ve never heard of them before but my sister bought them for me so I thought I’d try them out.”
My mouth practically watered at the sight of him. I didn’t think anything could look better on him than a suit but apparently a tight, white shirt showing off a healthy amount of bicep had me forgetting my ribs were still healing.
“Thank you Grace,” I breathed. Alfie sat by me, greeting me with a kiss. “Speaking of sisters, Natalie’s pregnant. It's still a secret so don’t tell anyone.” He nodded, looking entirelyunsurprised. I narrowed my eyes on him. “You already know, don’t you?”
“She wanted to get married as soon as possible. Her dress was too tight and she didn’t drink at her own wedding. I might have put it together.”
Alfie Tell, the expert in observing every tiny detail about everything even if it was none of his business.
“Dammit,” I muttered and he chuckled.
“So, are you ready to go home?”
“To Harrington?” I asked. “You mean Harrington, right? You aren't buying another fancy mansion in the city are you?”
“No. I mean, yes, to Harrington.” He shook his head as if he was trying not to laugh at me. “Are you ready to call that our home? I was thinking we could have a floor for Elliot and Ada and another floor for us. There’s plenty of bedrooms for people to visit and office space for you to build your company…”
“Oh, you were thinking?” I teased him.
“I might have drawn up some remodelling plans. I just need the approval of the woman of the house.”
The woman of the house.Me. I was the woman of Harrington House.
I wrapped my arms around his neck and kissed him softly. “I can’t wait to marry you, Alfie Tell.”
I needed to say it. It occurred to me that I hadn’t really. I’d delayed the announcement, then compromised and been persuaded to get married but I hadn’t jumped up and down and told him how excited I was to spend the rest of my life with him.
“Alfie O’Connell. No more Alfie Tell.”
I felt like I was going to burst with pride. He was starting a new life too. No more club. No more company. No more ghosts.
Forty-Five
ONE YEAR LATER.
It was perfect. But of course it was. Keira would never make anything for me that was less than perfect.
My wedding dress sat off my shoulders, white lace covering a bodice that pulled me tight. The skirt flared out, layers of delicate fabric covered in tiny flowers embroidered one at a time by Keira’s own hands. They were the most faded pink petals, blending into the dress so subtly you almost missed them. A veil pulled my hair off my face and left it trailing down my back, exactly how Alfie liked it. My mothers necklace sat on my collarbone, Alfie’s ring on my finger and my ears wore the surprise I’d managed to keep from Alfie for over a year now.
I stared at myself in the mirror. Keira sat, a hand over her mouth and tears forming in her eyes.
“How do you feel?”
