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“I love you too, Dragonfly.”
We had lost so many years apart, and now we’re going to rush forward, head first. Whatever the future brings, we are going to face it together.
* * *
Days later, I’m back in Chicago. Asher and I are seated side by side along with his agent, Richard, and my partner, Philipa, for a press conference.
I feel uncomfortable amid the sea of flashing cameras and eager reporters, but the press conference is a necessary step. It’s a way to set the record straight and announce our relationship publicly.
I glance at Asher, his hand warm in mine, as he clears his throat. His voice is strong and unwavering. “Ladies and gentlemen, we appreciate you coming here today to hear us out. We want to clear the air of any misunderstandings.”
The crowd falls silent, their anticipation palpable as they focus on every word Asher says.
“I will confirm that Samantha Bennett and I are in a committed relationship,” Asher continues. “In the past, I have facilitated the press with my exploits because my partners wished it so. But Ms. Bennett is not one for the media circus. Our personal lives are just that, personal. But we know that in order to get some semblance of peace, we need to set the record straight.”
Phillipa speaks into the mic, cutting off Asher. “Their relationship has no bearing on their respective businesses. Their romance actually began a long time ago, in high school, and is simply picking up where it left off. We kindly ask for your understanding and respect in this matter. Please do not bombard the offices of Transcend Events with questions or Stoll Enterprises for details, you will not receive them.”
A buzz of questions erupts from the reporters, their curious and eager voices drowning out everything else. Asher raises his hand, signaling for silence, and they immediately quiet down.
“There is another matter that must be addressed,” Asher continues, his expression serious. “Recently, intimate photos of Samantha and I were released to the public without our consent, with the sole purpose of causing malicious harm. The action was invasive and injurious.”
I didn’t know Asher was going to address the matter of the original photos that started this whole affair. I grip his leg under the table and he covers it with his to reassure me. He’s taking a stand to deter such an invasion from happening again, no matter how unlikely.
“I’ve decided to pursue legal action against those responsible for the release of these photos,” he continued.
The revelation sends the reporters into a frenzy with more questions, and his agent steps up to address them, along with Phillipa.
Asher told me that someone in the lobby of his apartment had taped the conversation with Valerie, where she admitted to sending out the photos because she was jealous, along with the fake picture back in high school. So I know that legal action is the right thing to do.
The conference doesn’t last much longer, and Asher and I leave with camera flashes exploding around us amid screaming reporters. I still hate being in the spotlight, but Asher is worth it, and this time, I’m not running.
We both know that in time the craze will die down, and we’ll be forgotten until someone decides we’re news again.
Until then, we decide to go on with our lives, together, and look forward to seeing what the future will bring.
Epilogue
ASHER
It's been almost a year since Sam and I found each other again, thanks to the generosity of Mrs. Kendall. She brought all of us back together, and our friendships are now so much stronger because of it.
Samantha and I, and all our friends, sit outside on Mrs. Kendall’s newly built back patio, around a beautiful long dinner table Knox and his dad did an awesome job of building. The mid-afternoon summer sun isn’t so oppressive thanks to the sunshade above our heads.
We’re all here for the party Knox and Callum decided to throw for Sam and I. She calls it our early Friendsgiving, to celebrate our closing the deal on our new home in Willowcreek, thanks to Dante—who has also joined us for this evening's dinner for once.
Our new house will be a place where we can build a life together, splitting our time living between football season in Chicago and the off-season in Maine.
Samantha has also been asked to open a branch of Transcend Events in New York, and being closer to the East Coast, will make traveling easier for her. Otherwise, she’s been managing Transcend and its staff remotely when we’re in Maine, hopping on the short flight back to Chicago when she feels she has to be there for an event.
Sam and I will be heading back to Chicago soon to start summer training for the upcoming football season. Coach wants the team to bring home the championship this season.
Knox comes out of the house holding a plate, followed by Kylie, Dante, and Madi. Sam and I get up to help, but Knox tells us to sit. “It's okay guys, you're the guests of honor today. You don’t get to lift a finger.”
“What!” Madi gasps, affronted. “And you make me bake my own birthday cake for my party?”
“Madi, you would never eat pastries from anyone but yourself or your mom, so I don’t know what the fuss is about. Your mom was busy, so you were the next obvious choice.” Knox then mutters to us, “I swear, she will never let me live that down.”
Samantha snorts out a laugh and hurriedly gets up from her chair to take the food plate from Madi, who gives her a death glare. Setting it down on the table, she sits beside me and leans into my body.
