His eyes shine with his own tears. “I love you too.”
We’re separated in the crowd for a bit, passed around like a bottle of champagne until we finally reunite at the back of the club.
“You know,” I say over my glass of bubbly, “I never commended you for your acting skills back when we pretended to be married.”
“Honey, none of that was pretend.”
A surprising ache clings to my ribs as an overwhelming sensation of warmth zips through my body.
We dance for what feels like hours, never once letting go of one another, despite being sweaty messes.
“Tonight was perfect,” I affirm in the middle of the dance floor, dazedly soaking in my husband’s handsome features.
Myhusband. My new favorite word.
“It’s not over yet.”
Turning in his arms, I play with the damp hair at his nape and bring my lips to his. “Take me home, Mr. Greer.”
Epilogue
One Year Later
Ezra
“CONGRATULATIONS, BUDDY.YOU DID IT.”Millie ruffles Kane’s hair.
With an ear-piercing screech, Bea tackles him. “I wore a dress like this for my kindergarten graduation.” She pulls a lollipop from her mouth and tugs on his cobalt blue gown with her sticky fingers.
He hits me with a pleading expression. “Can I take this thing off yet?”
“After we get a few family pictures,” I promise.
Cam sets up his tripod and positions everyone. At the last second, Millie and I present Kane with a white-and-purple lei. Locating one in Manhattan was like finding a needle in a haystack, but my wife insisted the Hawaiian tradition was important,and by the look on Kane’s face, I’d say she was right.She usually is.
“Everyone say ‘family,’” Cam announces.
“Ohana!” we all shout.
Though our apartment is small, we host a gathering to celebrate Kane. He’s evolving into a remarkable young man. The lanky kid we brought to the city two years ago is as tall as me now. Though I still outweigh him, he’s looking more like me every day, save for the blond hair.
When the last of the guests leave and it’s just the three of us, we present him with an envelope.
“We hope you’re proud of yourself,” I tell him.
He tears open the manilla envelope and pulls out three plane tickets. “We’re going to Maui?” He rubs at his breastbone, then flips over the papers, his mouth agape and his eyes wide.
“I can’t tell if you’re excited or…” Millie frowns, studying him.
With a shaky voice, he thanks us. “This is really cool.”
“Cool? Folks, we’ve got a ‘cool.’ Did you hear that, Mills?” I throw my hands in the air for flair.
“You dork.” She giggles.
“But I’m supposed to work for Uncle Asher.”
“You will. We cleared it with him. You’ll head over there when we get back.”
