AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“I make a mean grilled cheese.”
“You have to be kidding?”
“What? There’s an art to grilled cheese.”
She bumps me with her hips, smiling. “All this time I thought you were some kind of culinary chef.”
I kiss her. “I wouldn’t go that far, but I have been known to roast chicken and potatoes from time to time.”
“Sounds amazing.”
I stare down into her eyes, sobering for a second. “I’m sorry this all happened, Hart. It wasn’t the way I thought things would go.”
She blinks, a crease forming between her brows. “Don’t ever be sorry for something that crazy woman did. You are not responsible, she is. She’s the one who lit the place up with us inside, Gray. Not you.”
I nod. “I keep thinking if only I didn’t piss her off so much, maybe she would’ve just accepted it and not tried to kill us.”
“The cops said they found stuff in a nearby dumpster around the corner from the motel. It’s not like she could go and buy that stuff right after your meeting. It was late. She had it planned. It’s why she signed those papers so fast.”
I know deep down that it’s true, but it doesn’t make it hurt any less.
“Say you’ll forgive me,” I say, needing to hear the words.
“There’s nothing to forgive,” she whispers, her hands stroking my face as I pull her closer. “Ever.
I smile against her lips. “Did I tell you how much I love you today?”
I see the reflection of love in her eyes and when she says, “Yes. But I love you more.” I know that she’s the woman that I’ll spend every day of my life fighting to keep by my side.
Whatever happens, we will weather the storm.
The bond we have is too strong.
We’re unbreakable. And in her arms is where I intend to stay.
EXTENDED EPILOGUE
Hartley
One year later
I’ve been feeling equal parts amazing and on cloud nine over the last year. It flew by so fast. Despite the fire, and all that it entailed, we got through the worst of it and Keira is behind bars. Nothing could’ve ever prepared any of us for what she planned to do. For a long time Gray blamed himself, but with encouragement and support from me, his family and mine, we know how lucky we are.
I can’t say everything has been perfect, moving cities and finding my feet in a small town, but considering where we were a year ago, I think we’re exactly where we need to be. This is my life now. I miss Darby terribly, but I knew long ago that I wouldn’t be making the move back to Boston.
My dad retired in the months after his heart scare and has been doing well ever since. He does help me out if I need advice, or to discuss a difficult case, and he’ll always bend an ear when I need it. I’ve earned his trust. He’s also handed over the reins, and happily spends his days at home between playing golf, when the weather is good, and tinkering around in his shed. Linda says his improvement has been largely due to the fact he’s cut back on work. And I tend to agree with her.
Gray and I are better than ever. We’ve never looked back since our chance meeting that night in New York. So much so, he booked a weekend away at the Casa Cipriani so we can play it all out again. It’s a year to the day that we first met.
I have tingles up my spine thinking about it and how it’s going to be when we role play the whole mix-up again. I wonder if Lyle and Bertram are still here.
Gray booked the penthouse well in advance, and I’ve had butterflies ever since he told me a few days ago as our meet-aversary surprise.
Ever since the night of the fire, Gray moved in with me, and we went public with our relationship. We’ve had nothing but support, especially after news of the fire broke out.
We’ve spent many nights at Coyote Run, watching the seasons change and the progress on construction. Finally, Gray got to build on his perfect parcel of land, and our future is unfolding before our very eyes.
That’s where he decided to spring the New York surprise on me just a few days ago…
