Page 66 of Hush Money

“You deserve a fresh start,” she says. “Take it.”

As she walks away, like that scene fromSixteen Candles,I see him. He’s leaning against the Escalade with a single rose in his hand. When we lock eyes, he smiles and walks toward me. When he reaches me, I throw my arms around his neck, and he takes me into his arms, swinging me around.

“Congratulations, baby,” he whispers in my ear. “I’m proud of you.”

He sets me down, and I smile up at him.

“I’m proud of you too,” I say. He shoots me a curious look. “I know how badly you wanted to come with me. And how badly you probably wanted to bash his face in. I’m proud of you for refraining.”

He laughs and shakes his head.

“I’d burn the whole fucking world down for you, Evie Dawson,” he says. “But unfortunately, I will also do just about anything you say.”

I reach around and playfully put my hands on his ass.

“In that case,” I say, “take me home.”

He smiles as we spin around, walking back toward the car.

“So,” he says as he opens my door, “would this be a bad time to ask you to marry me?”

I laugh so hard I choke as we get into the car, and Todd drives us away.

Later that afternoon,I’m sitting in the study, reading a Kristen Granata book in the big cushy chair that Keaton bought me as a “happy divorce” gift. He went fullBeauty and the Beaston me and gifted me his entire study. He had it repainted and let me pick out the furniture I wanted. He told me to make it mine.

I’m still getting used to the spoiling, but I’m getting there. I know that I’ll never be able to spoil him in the same way, but I take pride in being the person who can bring Keaton peace. I can read him like I read one of my books. I know when things are getting heavy for him. We are so in tune with what the other needs, and I’ve never felt anything like it.

I hear the big, tall doors open, and he walks inside. He makes his way to my chair, and I put my book down so he can kiss me. He sits down on the floor in front of me, crossing his arms on top of my lap and laying his head down. I run one hand through his perfect hair, massaging his scalp while I read.

“So,” he says, “have you given it any thought now that you’re a single woman?”

I shoot him a look, my eyebrow raised.

“Given what any thought? And I’m single now?” I ask him. That makes him sit up straight.

“Fuck no,” he says. “You’ll never be single again. I meanunmarried.” I laugh. I love how territorial he gets over me.

“Have I given what any thought?” I ask him again.

“Where home is,” he says.

I close my book, because no, I haven’t given it any more thought. Home feels like this. Right here. As long as I’m with him, I’m good.

“No,” I say matter-of-factly. “Have you?”

He shrugs.

“It’s right next to you. So you say the word.”

I lean forward and press a kiss to his lips.

“This feels like home to me,” I tell him. “Being here with you. In the city where we met. The city where I fell in love with you the first time…and then the second. The only thing that made me feel like I hadn’t totally lost you was being here. I know some bad things have happened here, but this place gave me you. But Keat, I know it’s different for you. If you want to leave, I’ll go wherever you want.”

He smiles, tucking a piece of my hair behind my ear.

“Let’s stay here in our city,” he says. “Weirdly, it’s grown on me over the last few months.”

“Our city,” I say. He presses to stand and sticks out a hand to me. I stand up, and he scoops me up into his arms.

“So, you ready to marry me yet?” he asks again as he carries me out of the room and down the hall toward our bedroom. I laugh again.

“Keaton, I can’t marry you the same day I got divorced,” I say. He smiles as he walks into our room.

“So tomorrow, then?” he asks, kicking the door shut behind us.