Page 128 of Manhattan Kiss

“She’s your biggest fan—second-biggest fan. I’ve learned that Willow wants me to be happy almost as much as I want her to be happy. And honestly, Gabby getting engaged and the change in Willow’s living arrangements has helped Willow adjust to a new life. Willow gets that she has two families now.”

“She’s a wonderful little girl.”

“She really is. She’s also very determined. And very clear on what she wants.” I chuckle. “I guess the apple doesn’t fall too far from the tree. I’m very clear it’s you who I want.”

“I want you too. I love you.”

Her words burrow into my chest and expand and I feel more complete than I ever have in my life.

“I’m sorry I turned up at your work.”

“I guess this is where we started out. And now I’m about to be the manager of this hotel, despite that I’m almost engaged to one of the guests.”

I can’t wipe the smile from my face. Almost engaged? I’ll take being an almost fiancé. The way I see it, it makes me the luckiest man on the planet.

“Wait, what?” I ask. “You’re the manager? You weren’t planning to go back to the UK?”

“I start in September. Manhattan changed everything. I don’t want to go back to my old life.”

“Then start a new life with me.”

She smiles as she nods. “I think I could do that.” She glances at her watch. “I’ve officially finished my shift. So you might want to kiss me now.”

I take a step back. “I actually can’t, because when I kiss you, neither of us will be able to stop. Let’s go home together and start our lives tonight.”

“You can ask me to marry you again,” she says. “I might even say yes.”

Did I hear her right? Fuck, how did I get so lucky? “I’m going to ask you every single day until you say yes.”

“You won’t have to ask three times. Deacon Black, I love you.”

“Aurora Reynolds, I love you too.”

EPILOGUE

The Next Day

Aurora

Not only am I going to have to tell Darcy I’m not coming back to Chilternshire, but I’m also going to have to tell her I’m engaged.

“Hey,” I say, as she answers the video call.

“Where are you?” she asks. “That doesn’t look like your flat.”

“Yeah, I’m at Deacon’s.” I’m nervous. I really don’t know how Darcy’s going to react. Not because she’s selfish, but because my life has always revolved around hers. It’s the way it’s always been and she’s used to it, but that’s changed now. Deacon’s upstairs finishing up some things for work after putting Willow to bed. It’s late, but I had to tell my best friend my news.

“You two made up? How come you didn’t tell me?”

“It just happened yesterday. There’s a lot I need to get you caught up on.”

She sighs. “I can’t wait until you’re home. I feel like I’m missing out on everything.”

That’s kind of how I’ve lived my life up until now. I’ve been the woman who’s missed out on everything.

But that’s all changed since coming to New York. Since Deacon.

Manhattan’s changed everything.