Page 27 of Inadmissible

Tristan

New Year’s Eve

“ A re you nervous?” Kaos asked, handing me a glass of champagne.

We were at our annual New Year’s Eve gala, but this one was different. My parents were in attendance, and Tyler and Katie were too. Over the last eight months, a lot of things changed for our crew personally and professionally.

Katie had gotten her divorce from Leon, and Taj and Tyler couldn’t have been happier. Katie had developed a true bond with my mom, which I loved.

Emilia was working at our firm now, and though they weren’t confirming it, I felt like something was going on between her and Tyler. They were in the middle of the dancefloor dancing and looking all lovingly into each other’s eyes.

Destin had been released from prison early, which I expected. His reputation was so ruined here that he moved to Memphis. Last I heard, Trenae was raising their son alone in Atlanta.

Serenity was pregnant with her and Kaos’s first child.

Zander was still dealing with taken women.

Carson was still a lover boy.

And me and my sweetheart?

We were looking into buying a home together. We were also engaged . . . she just didn’t know it yet.

“Not really,” I replied. “I know we’re going to get married. I just hope she doesn’t think we’re moving too fast. I’ve been taking things as slow as I could for her benefit. If it was up to me, we would have gotten married right after you and Serenity did.”

Kaos laughed. “Listen, I’m surprised you’ve waited as long as you have to propose. Tonight’s a good night to do it though. It’s fitting.”

I couldn’t have agreed more.

Exactly one year ago, we made our way back into each other’s lives, and if she said yes to me tonight, we were going to spend every day together for the rest of our lives.

We had a live band as always, but when the clock struck 11:54 PM, they took a break.

Audré made her way onto the stage. She introduced herself before playing the piano and singing “Desire” by Cleo Sol.

As soon as Taj realized what was playing, she made her way over to me to dance like I knew she would.

She was so oblivious to what was happening I had to stop myself from laughing.

As we danced, attention on the dancefloor shifted to us. Everyone started to record. By the time the song was over, there was only a few seconds in the year left.

“That’s my absolute favorite so?—”

Taj gasped and covered her mouth as I kneeled in front of her. I took the time to move the peach diamond ring to her right hand before I spoke.

“I want to bring in the new year with you as my fiancée. Are you okay with that, sweetheart?”

Nodding, her eyes blinked rapidly. “Yes,” she whispered.

“Good, because I love you, and I want to spend the rest of my life showing you just how much. Showing you how special you are. Showing you that you’re not just God’s apex of creation but my crown of beauty and greatest treasure.

I want to give you summers in the Hamptons, fall in Martha’s Vineyard, and winters on the beach.

I want to give you babies—lots of babies.

But most importantly, I want to give you me and my love. Will you marry me, Taj?”

Giggling, she nodded as her tears continued to pour. “Yes!” she yelled. “What took you so long?”

Her question made me laugh as I slid the ring onto her finger. “Shit, I was trying to be patient for you.”

“I knew I was going to marry you after our first date. I was just waiting for you to ask.”

Standing, I cupped her cheeks and covered her lips with mine.

There wasn’t anything I wouldn’t do for this woman.

She always said my hugs felt like a deep breath, but now that she was officially going to be my wife—my rib—the protection of her love in my heart made me feel just as comforted, wanted, and safe.

The Beginning

Because True Love Has No End