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I smile, knowing that this man is the elusive puzzle piece I’ve been missing my whole life. But he’s here now and everything is whole. “Forever,” I promise. “Forever and always, Pretty Boy.”
EPILOGUE
MASON
Seven years later
“Hello dear. I have an appointment with the dietician.” The elderly lady leans over the reception counter and smiles.
She’s someone I’ve never seen here at the clinic before, but what’s new? By now, I’m used to people traveling from far and wide to come to this clinic just to consult with our specialists.
Yvonne takes the woman’s details and searches our computer system. Then she looks up at the patient with a bright smile. “You can take a seat in our waiting area. Karli will be with you in a short while.”
Pride blooms in my chest when I hear Yvonne say that. I don’t know when I’ll ever get over how proud I am of my wife.
Karli has been the dietician here at the clinic for the past few months, and she’s a valued member of the team of specialists Felix and I are building here. I get a thrill every time I see my wife’s name on the sign in the lobby or pass by her business card sitting on the reception desk or when I go to the grocery store and see herKarli’s Kitchenmeal kits sitting on the refrigerator shelves. I made this brilliant woman my wife and it’s the best decision I’ve ever made.
I grab the file for my next patient appointment and stroll down the hallway. I catch sight of Felix through his open office door but I only have time to offer him a salute. He shoots me finger-guns in reply. He’s on the phone right now and I’m rushing off to attend to my next patient, so there’s no time to talk.
But as busy as I am, when I’m dashing past the break room and catch sight of the most beautiful woman in the world, I stop dead in my tracks.
“Hey gorgeous.”
Karli’s head snaps up from the academic journal she’s reading and the most brilliant smile splashes across her face. “Come here! Come here! Come here!” She begs me, literally bouncing in her seat.
And what’s that I was saying about being late for my next appointment…?
“Is that it?” I point to the journal in her hands.
She squeals. “Yes! It’s here! It just got here in the mail.”
It’s embarrassing how fast I run into the break room and snatch the journal out of her hands. My eyes drift over the page in front of me and the widest grin breaks out across my face.
Karli Brighton-Westbrook is listed as one of the co-authors of the article I’m staring down at.
“Fuck, yes!” I hiss, trying to keep my volume under control. “Fuck, yes, babe!”
After years and years of binge-reading academic articles, now Karli has co-authored one of her own and it’s featured inThe University of Reyfield Journal of Nutrition and Dietetics.
I sweep her out of her chair, lifting her off her feet and spinning her around.
Karli’s giggles rise up. “Put me down. You’re making the baby dizzy,” she jokes.
“Right.” I chuckle, setting her back on her feet and her hands smooth over her baby bump.
Our son is only weeks away from making his grand entrance and Karli has been extra careful about everything.
I grab her face in my hands and plant a smooch on her lips. “I’m so proud of you,” I tell her. “Every fucking day, I’m so proud of the woman you are.”
“I’m the woman I am because of you,” she tells me. “You make me better in every way. You give me the courage to fearlessly be who I truly am.”
“I can’t take the credit for who you are, babe.” I press my lips to the tip of her nose. “When I met you, you were already a tough cookie.”
She snorts a laugh. “When I met you, I was trying to be tough. But Mason, the love you give me each day has made mestrong.There’s a difference, you know? I didn’t know that before but being with you has taught me the difference.”
“Damn, I love you,” I whisper, bringing my lips to hers.
“I love you, too, Mason Westbrook. My life with you is everything I’ve ever dreamed of.”
