Jackson has stopped pacing.
“I’m so glad I got back here in time. There’s something I need to say to you, Isla. Will you hear me out?” Jackson asks, imploringly.
“I think you should sit down in the mermaid chair,” Alexis has appeared at my side, and she gives me a little nudge.
Cappy nods encouragingly. “Hear him out.”
Tentatively I sit down. I’m so relieved to see Jackson. I’d been so worried. Where was he?
And why do I keep picturing dragons?
Jackson kneels in front of me.
I’m not used to being the center of attention. It feels very strange to have so many people looking at us. I try to paint them all out as I focus on the man in front of me.
Jackson takes my hand. His hands are shaking.
“You scare the shit out of me, Isla Fairfax. But I’m tired of being scared. I don’t want to be friends or friends with benefits. I don’t want to settle into some safe, tidy, sweet spot. I want more than that. I want to love you. And I want you to love me, even if it’s messy and terrifying. I would fight dragons for you. I am in love with you. You were right about everything. Especially the chemistry part. Ones and zeros are not nearly enough for me. I want infinity.”
Tears are streaming down my face. This feels like a dream. I almost wish someone would pinch me.
“I love you, too,” I say. “I think I have since the moment you brought up Lupercalia. I wanted to wring your neck. But that’s not all I wanted to do to you.”
“I’m so sorry I was such a jerk to you.” Jackson takes my hand and lifts me to my feet. He wipes my tears away and kisses me gently on the lips.
“Ahem,” Marco coughs. “I think that Cappy here has something that he wants to give to you?”
“I do,” Cappy steps forward, holding the most enormous polished conch shell I’ve ever seen. He hands it to me and winks. “Here you go, Isla.”
I turn the shell over in my hands, marveling at the glossy pink and white opening. And then I hold it to my ear, listening for the sound of the ocean and hearing so much more. Children laughing. Corks popping. Champagne fizzing. Glasses clinking. Fireworks bursting, Sleigh bells ringing, and mini-Shetland ponies neighing. A symphony of happy sounds. A lifetime of them. All inside the rushing waters.
“Jackson,” I hold out the shell in front of me. “Will you accept my shell?”
“I will,” he grins, holding it up to his lips. “And Isla, do you hear my call?”
He lifts the shell and blows it loud and clear enough to split the night sky. A few night birds scatter, and the stars start to twinkle like someone just flipped the on switch.
“Did you two hear Jackson blow that shell?” Lacey looks critically at her beaus. “Thatis how it’s done, Boys.”
“And that,” Rob says with a triumphant grin, “is a wrap!”
epilogue: isla
Six Months Later
I’m back at home in Rome. It’s a typically brisk February day, but the sun is shining and there’s a line forming outside the bookshop for the book signing event for the final book inThe Mystic Matchmakerseries. People are excited to get their hands on an autographed copy. The ticketed event is sold out.
“Are you ready to do this?” Emily asks.
“I am,” I smile. “Remember the last time we were here?”
“How could I forget?” She laughs, glancing back at her fiancé Blaze, who’s happily ensconced in an armchair in the back corner of the cozy bookstore reading a book. “I don’t think he minds being back here and not having to sign any books.”
“It was nice of the two of you to be here for my book signing,” I sigh.
“We’re just glad the timing worked out so well. I’m so glad I could get here a little early and see my family and help you get ready!”
I want to tell Emily that she is like a sister to me. The sister I never had. But I already know she feels the same way. She squeezes my hand.
