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“Tristan . . .” She runs her fingers through my hair, her nails barely scraping my scalp.
I close my eyes and breathe her in.
“I had to,” I whisper. “It was my dad who sent the donation. My mom knew nothing about it. Honestly, their relationship looks kind of rocky right now.”
“How does that make you feel?” I love how she puts me first.
“I don’t know.” I shrug. “He wanted to make up for the mess they created. I guess what I told them the day I showed up at their house really got to him. Half of the donation is from him, so I am receiving the other half of my trust fund to my personal account.”
“What?” Her eyes bug out like I knew they would.
I chuckle, still trying to process it all myself.
“I know.”
“Wow. What are you going to do, then? Are you going to plan your first trip for Spread Joy?”
“I have more important things to take care of first.” I smile, holding the side of her face.
“Like what?” Her eyes stay glued to mine.
“Buy a house, get settled, keep growing my non-profit before I go insane traveling. Most importantly, live this life with you.” I press my lips to hers.
“Tristan.”
“No, you are my priority. Meeting you has taught me so much, starting with what’s truly important. I can’t run away whenever I’m unhappy. I have to fight through it. I’ve gained amazing experiences volunteering and traveling, and I will continue to look for chances to do those things. Selfishly, I pray it’s with you by my side whenever you’re up for it. But my number one thing is building a life with you. You’re my everything. We could work together,” I say. “I’ll need someone to manage all the techy stuff I hate.”
“While I build my own client list?”
“Yeah, babe, while you do what you love.”
“I love you,” she says.
I drop a searing kiss on her lips. Sage’s arms wrap around my neck, and I know without a doubt that she’s going to be permanent in my life.
I don’t want anyone else, need anything else, but her. I may dream of spreading joy in other people’s lives, but she helped me learn the true meaning of the word.
Epilogue
Tristan
I shove my trembling hands into my pockets and cringe when the fingers on my right hand smash into a small box. I close my fist around it, holding it tight as if it were going to evaporate from my pants.
I’d rather have my pants evaporate and stand in my underwear than lose the box holding the most precious thing I’ve ever bought up to now. I thought buying a house a few months ago would be the most epic experience.
Ring shopping topped that times a million.
All for the woman I love.
I hope she says yes tonight.
She will. She has to. You’re in love.
Six months is enough time to know I’m going to spend the rest of my life with her. Actually, I knew a long time ago she was it for me.
Before I met Sage, my life was all about working, helping others, and staying away from my family. Now, I see the difference it makes to balance a career I’m passionate about with having people I love nearby.
I’m pacing behind the counter at The Bean. My hand roams through my hair, messing up the neat waves.
