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epilogue
JACK
ONE YEAR LATER
THE PAST YEAR HAS BEEN A whirlwind, but has surpassed all my expectations.
When we got back to New York, Presley went straight to work on finding me a new assistant. After three months of seven failed trial runs and several heated arguments between Presley and me, which were followed by off-the-charts makeup sex in my office, we finally found the perfect fit. Mike’s former assistant, June, moved to New York City last year to be closer to her kids and was searching for a new job. She fits in well at Sinclair Group and seamlessly took over the role of my assistant.
Presley transferred to the marketing department and has loved every minute of it. There are days I miss having her close by, especially when I’m craving one of her specialty coffee creamer concoctions. Thankfully, I was able to persuade her to move in with me in May, despite her initial concerns that we were moving too fast. I’m committed to this relationship for the long haul and didn’t see any reason to wait.
I surprised her with a trip to Aspen Grove in November so she could participate in decorating the town Christmas tree and be there for the lighting ceremony. After going back to the city for a few weeks, we came out to spend Christmas with the Staffords. I’ve grown fond of Aspen Grove and look forward to our visits.
The smell of butter and vanilla fills the air as Johanna pulls out the last batch of sugar cookies. She’s been bustling around the kitchen all day in preparation for a special Christmas dinner tomorrow and whipping up a variety of cookies to leave out for Santa tonight.
“Mom, it’s time to open our presents,” Cash hollers from down the hall.
“We better get a move on, Jack, or they’ll start without us.” She tugs off her apron, placing it on the counter.
“I’ll be right there,” I say.
I finish the last sip of my hot chocolate and rinse my cup out in the sink so Johanna doesn’t have to worry about it later.
Presley’s brothers took charge of getting matching pajamas for everyone this year. I’ve attempted to get them to spill the details, but even Dylan was tight-lipped about the surprise, meaning they’ve got something up their sleeve.
When I get to the living room, I sit next to Presley on the couch. Her hair is still damp from her shower, and I inhale the scent of vanilla and roses.
“There you are, beautiful.” I intertwine her hand in mine. “I missed you.”
“You saw me less than thirty minutes ago,” she notes.
“Yes, and every minute without you felt like an hour.”
“God, you’re so cheesy.” She laughs. “But I have to admit, I missed you too.” She gives me an affectionate kiss.
After a morning of building an army of snowmen with her family, we spent the afternoon in her bedroom, doing things that involved fucking … lots and lots of fucking. She tried coaxing me into taking a shower together afterward, but we never would have made it downstairs if I had joined her.
Lola runs over with two packages in hand. “Daddy says these are for you.” She shoves one in my lap and gives the other to Presley.
“Thanks, ladybug.” Presley gives her a warm smile. “Why don’t you open yours first?” she suggests.
“Okay?” I say it as a question.
We should all be getting the same thing, unless her brothers decided to change things up this year.
I open the gift box and hesitantly pull back the tissue paper. I freeze when I see what’s inside. The pajamas are custom-designed with pictures of me in a jail cell printed on the material.
This is one of the photos that Cash took.
Presley’s brothers enter the room, all dressed in the same matching pajamas as mine.
“What do you think?” Cash grins. “Pretty great, right?” He gestures to himself.
“Oh my god, these are priceless.” Presley laughs uncontrollably, tears streaming down her face.
I narrow my eyes at Cash. “You told me you deleted those photos months ago.”
“I lied,” he admits shamelessly.
