Epilogue II: Michael

EPILOGUE II – MICHAEL

“Terminal one,” I tell the driver, settling back against the seat.

Snowflakes start to fall as Alice waves out the window to her family, and I’m hit with a wave of immense honor.

She’s chosen me.

She’s chosen to drop everything in order to spend time with me.

I unbuckle my seat belt and slide into the center of the bench seat, putting myself against her side.

Alice grins up at me. “What are you doing?”

My hand grips her thigh. “I was too far away.”

Her head shakes, but her fingers close over mine. “I guess you can stay, but you need to put a seat belt back on.”

One-handed, I find the center belt and click it into place. “You worried about me, Baby?”

She slides her hand over to my thigh. Her little fingers gripping the broad muscle, mimicking my grip.

“You’re mine now, Michael Kesso. I’ll always worry about you.”

My heart squeezes in my chest.

This girl.

Alice blinks up at me with her pretty eyes, and I suddenly remember…

“I almost forgot.” I shake my head at myself. Leaning back in the seat, I reach my hand into my front pocket. “I think this is yours.”

Alice’s smile freezes on her face when she sees the large silver coin in my palm.

“Oh, Michael!” One hand covers her mouth as the other reaches out to pick up the item. “Where did you find this?”

“In your hotel room. I went looking for you after the show wrapped up, and housekeeping was already in there cleaning. They gave it to me, assuming you’d dropped it.”

Alice nods, and I hear her sniffle.

I wrap my arm around her shoulder, pulling her into my side.

“I’m okay,” she whispers.

I’m worried I might have ruined our morning, but then she tips her head back and looks up at me with a smile bright enough to inspire a Christmas jingle.

Smiling back, I brush a thumb over her cheek, wiping away a stray tear.

“My grandma gave me this coin.”

“The one who inspired your cream cake?” I ask, my mouth watering just thinking about it.

“Yeah, she taught me to bake.” Her lips quirk. “She was pretty feisty, and I think she would’ve liked you.”

“Damn right, grandparents have always loved me.”

Alice rolls her eyes. “Sure.”

I lower my forehead to hers. “We have a long flight. How about you spend that time telling me all about your grandma? I’d love to critique her recipes.”

Alice playfully swats at my stomach. “You wouldn’t dare.”

With a sigh, she leans farther into me. “This feels like a dream.”

“It’s not a dream, Baby Cakes.” I trace my thumb along her jawline.

Her hand closes over my wrist, holding me in place. “I’ve loved you for so long.”

I pull her closer. “I’m jealous.”

“Jealous?”

“Jealous of the extra time you got.” Her grip on my wrist tightens, and I feel it in my soul. “I have so much lost time to make up for. It almost feels unfair. But I’m going to make it up to you. I may not have the words to explain to you just how much I love you. But I promise to spend the rest of my life showing you just how much you mean to me.”

Alice’s eyes swim with happiness as she arches up, brushing her lips across mine. “I love you, too, My Chef.”

The way she calls me that has my balls tightening.

That’s something to explore.

Closing the rest of the distance between us, I smile.

This is gonna be a Christmas to remember.