“Obviously it’s a yes,” he drawled, his smile deep and sexy. “But you didn’t have to offer me a job to get me into bed with you,” he went on. “Because as far as you and I are concerned, that’s a done deal. You have me.”
“I know.” I drank him in, his face, his smile, his love. I didn’t know exactly what the future held for me, but right now, I didn’t care, because I was as sure as I could be that if Elliot was by my side, I would be okay. “So I have just one question for you.”
“Oh?” His eyebrow arched, gentle, teasing.
I pulled Elliot close, brushed his knuckles with my lips. “Are you ready to go back to the writers’ room with me?”
Epilogue
Hertfordshire
ONE YEAR LATER
“The place looks amazing,” I assured Bex, setting the final touches to her hair.
“Are you sure?” she fretted. “Because today has to be perfect.”
“It will be,” I said.
Bex and Dan’s wedding last year had been a rushed formality in Dan’s family church, followed by a low-key meal in a classy restaurant. The event had been perfectly pleasant, but it wasn’t the day Bex would have chosen. She had struggled to enjoy it, thanks to the grueling symptoms of her pregnancy. So, we had decided that she and Dan would have the big, glamorous party when she felt ready and able to organize it. Thankfully, Dan had pretended his opinion mattered in this decision and had agreed wholeheartedly to make sure the house and its garden would be ready in time to host such a thing.
Bex turned in her seat to look at me. “Thank you.”
“For what, the hair?” I pulled a face. “Probably shouldn’t thank me yet; not sure those curls will hold.”
“For everything.” Bex took my hand. We were in herdressing room at her Hertford home, her pride and joy and a testament to her skills as a designer. A dusky-pink room with edgy sage-green accents, it was her sanctuary from the cacophony of working-mum life. “For dropping everything last year to help with the wedding and Avery … and for today, for coming over from America when you’re so busy to help me again.”
“Where else would I be?”
“I know, I know. But thank you. And it’s been so good to spend time with Elliot,” she said. “He’s … perfect for you. I’m happy you’re happy.”
“I really am,” I said. “Never did I imagine when I accidentally sent that email that I’d end up living in America with the love of my life and the job of my dreams.”
“And that is amazing,” Bex said. “But I really miss being your flatmate.”
“Me too.” I hugged her, my heart swelling. Bex sniffed and I pulled back. “Are you crying?”
“Nope.” She beamed, but her eyes were watery.
“Is everything okay?” I asked in alarm. “Magda’s not been on her bullshit again, has she?”
“No, she’s calmed down a lot now she’s got another baby in the family,” Bex said quickly. “I’m just really excited about today, I promise.”
“Good.” I cupped her face. “The party is going to be great, and you look sensational.” She really did, in a backless white jumpsuit that she’d paired with coral-pink heels.
“As do you,” she said appraisingly. “Seems New York taught you how to crack the pages ofVogueonce in a while.”
“Thanks.” My dress – pre-approved by Bex, of course – was an emerald-green cocktail dress with a daring neckline. It had reminded me of the designer gown I’d worn to the premiere, the night that had arguably changed my life. I’d decidedto wear the Jimmy Choos from that night too, figuring I’d be able to sit down a lot more at this event. “I love it.”
“I know someone else who will too,” Bex said with a knowing smile. Just then there was a knock at the door. “Enter!” Bex yelled.
Dan’s head peered around. “Come on, my love, party is starting!” Avery was at her childminder’s and Dan already had champagne on the go. “You wanted to start with the bouquet toss, right?”
“I did,” she said gleefully. “You’re sure everything is ready?”
“Oh, it’s ready,” he said with a grin.
“You two are so cute.” I loved how excited they were to celebrate each other. “But again, I have to ask, why the change of heart on a bouquet toss? I thought it was ‘an archaic tradition’ and ‘a waste of perfectly good flowers’?”
