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EPILOGUE

EMILY

One month later…

“ W hat the hell is in here?” Tess groans, struggling with the box she’s carrying from the elevator and into Dallas’s apartment. Well, technically mine and Dallas’s apartment now, I guess.

“It says on the top—” Bron cranes her neck and reads out loud, “Dildos and vibrators.”

“Ew!” Tess shrieks, dropping the box onto the hardwood floor with a loud thud.

“What?” I scoff, moving to the box and seeing it does indeed say Dildos I just want it.” Kiss . “I want to spend the rest of my life with you.” Kiss . “I want to grow old with you.” Kiss .

I laugh between sobs, tasting my tears with every kiss he presses to my lips.

“We’re gonna have it all, Goldie. You and me. Whatever we want. And if we can’t have it, then we’ll figure it out.” Kiss . “Because no matter what, as long as I’ve got you, then that’s all I need. Everything else is just a bonus…”

“How are you so perfect?” I whisper.

He sighs dramatically, rolling his eyes. “I was just born this way.”

I giggle again.

“Emily Ruth Cole,” Dallas whispers, holding the ring at the tip of my finger. “Will you marry me?”

I smile through my tears and nod. “Yes. A million times, yes.”

The ring slides easily onto my finger, and I take a moment to look at it. It’s a beautiful solitaire on a thin, plain white gold band. Perfectly understated.

Dallas wraps his hand around my neck, cupping the back of my head and pulling me close, resting his forehead against mine and looking deep into my eyes. “I love everything about you,” he whispers.

I swallow the sob that threatens me. “Thank you for loving me.”

Dallas kisses away my tears, flashing me that dimpled grin I love as he says, “Thank you for letting me love you.”