Page 110 of Hunter

“I love you,” he whispers. “So much it’s ridiculous.”

“I love you more,” I murmur back. “And I’m never letting you go again.”

We stay on the ground in front of the snow leopards for a long time, wrapped up in each other, laughing between kisses while the cubs tumble in the background like they did on our first date.

Later, when we finally stand, Charlie looks down at the ring on his finger, then back up at me with that bright, cheeky smile I fell in love with.

“So,” he says, bumping his hip against mine, “does this mean I get to call you my fiancé now?”

I pull him close, pressing a kiss to his temple. “You can call me whatever you want. As long as you call me yours.”

He laughs, bright and watery, and wraps his arms around my neck. We stay like that for a long time, swaying gently under the string lights while the snow leopard cubs watch us with mild disinterest.

“You know,” he says, voice soft but teasing, “if we’re doing this…getting married…we should probably stop pretending we live in two separate places.”

I raise an eyebrow, heart already picking up speed.

Charlie steps closer, sliding his hands up my chest. “It makes sense, Hunter. My apartment is closer to the firehouse. And to the city for your therapy sessions. All our friends are around here. Sofia has already claimed half your clothes as her personal property. And honestly?” He smiles up at me, a little shy now. “I hate sleeping without you. Even one night feels too long.”

I cup his face with both hands, thumbs brushing his cheeks.

Before he can list another practical reason, I lean down and kiss him. He melts into it immediately, fingers curling into my shirt as he kisses me back as though he’s sealing a promise.

When we finally pull apart, I rest my forehead against his.

“Yes,” I whisper. “Move me in. Keep me. I don’t want separate places anymore either.”

Charlie’s smile is radiant. “Yeah?”

“Yeah.” I kiss him again, softer this time. “I want to come home to you every single day. Wake up next to you. All of it.”

He laughs against my mouth, happy and relieved, and hugs me tight.

We stay wrapped up together long after the zoo lights start to dim, talking quietly about moving boxes and closet space and how Sofia is definitely going to be mad about sharing her kingdom.

Six months ago, I was still trying to survive.

Now, I’m planning a future with the man I love.

And it feels like the most natural thing in the world.

Epilogue 2 - Charlie

One year later

“Your man has gone above and beyond for this one.” Lucy straightens my tie, then pushes my hair out of my eyes with gentle fingers. “I’m so glad you listened to me and took that broken man in.”

I huff a laugh. “Listened to you? As I recall, you told me to stay far, far away.”

She waves her hand in the air as she steps back, pretending to inspect her work. “I don’t remember that. I have selective memory when I’m right.”

I shake my head, smiling so wide my cheeks hurt. The small room at the back of the venue is filled with soft afternoon light, the distant murmur of guests and string music filtering through the door. My hands won’t stop trembling.

Today is our wedding day.

Lucy notices the nerves and steps closer again, smoothing down the lapels of my deep green suit. “Hey. Breathe. You look stupidly hot, and he’s going to cry the second he sees you. You two have earned this.”

I swallow hard and nod. “I know. I just… can’t believe we actually made it here.”