Epilogue

Epilogue

Aria

W e’d pushed two tables together to listen to Finn play at Max’s Bar & Grill. It was Gia, Harper, Lily and Jake, Harrison and Everly, Abby and Nick, and Ireland, with her new boyfriend, James. They’d met on a dating app and had become serious quickly.

I still lived at Ireland’s place, even though I spent most of my time at Finn’s.

Finn’s mom and current stepdad had found a house nearby and were moving in soon. Paisley was with Naomi this week. I was looking forward to seeing Finn play some of his own songs. Whenever he used to play weddings, it was a list of popular songs written by someone else.

Before each song, Finn said a little something before he played. I hadn’t been able to take my eyes off him to socialize with our friends.

“I’ve been writing some new songs, and I wanted to test one out on you guys tonight. This one’s for Aria.” He winked at me as his hand strummed the strings. When he was performing, he usually lowered his head, but this time, he kept his gaze on me.

My heart beat out of control. I couldn’t believe he’d dedicated the song to me, and I sensed this was important to him.

He’d written songs and played them at bars, but he hadn’t done anything else with them yet. If he could get involved in songwriting, it would be the easiest way for him to be involved in the music industry without performing and touring. He didn’t want to be gone from Annapolis, since this was where his family was.

I wanted him to have something that was just his. I knew how satisfying it was to create something that was your own. The notes drifted through the air, the melody wrapping around me. Then he opened his mouth and sang directly to me.

When I met you

I was set in my ways

I didn’t believe in love

But you opened my eyes

The chorus was catchy, and soon, everyone had quieted and was listening. As he continued, my face heated because he was singing about us. How we’d met and didn’t agree on love and relationships. But I not only taught him to believe in it, but also showed him anything was possible.

He paused for a second. “Aria, come on up here for this last verse. I want to sing it to you.”

I stood on shaky legs and made my way to the small, makeshift stage. Someone hurried to grab me a chair. I didn’t look at anyone in the crowd. There was no one else but us, and he was singing directly to me.

Something told me this moment would change my life.

Finn turned slightly so he was facing me and not the room full of people.

You showed me how to love

And now I only see you

You brought me light and sunshine

You showed me the way

You’re the only one for me.

Then he paused, his fingers still on his pick.

Will you marry me?

His rich voice filled the empty space, wrapping around me.

My vision blurred as tears filled my eyes, and my chest swelled with emotion. Finn was singing to me. It didn’t matter that our friends were there. He only had eyes for me, and he was asking me to marry him.

He dropped to one knee, pushing his guitar behind his back as he asked, “Aria, will you marry me?”

The melody of the song played on in my head, even though he’d stopped playing. “I’d love to.”

I fell toward him, and he caught me, wrapping his arms around me as we kissed. His forehead dropped to mine as cheers erupted around us. “I love you, Aria Hunter.”

I smiled. “I love you too.”

I was vaguely aware that there was cheering from the crowd.

He eased back a bit as he slid a ring onto my finger. “I promise to love and cherish you for the rest of our days.”

“Shouldn’t you save the vows for our wedding day?” I asked him, blocking out everyone else.

“I’ll say them every day for the rest of our lives. I never want you to doubt my feelings for you.”

“I don’t.” But we hadn’t talked about marriage. He’d never believed in it, and I didn’t need it. I hadn’t been expecting this.

Finn stood, my hand in his, as our friends swarmed us with hugs and words of congratulations. Finn’s set was done, so he put his guitar away and sat with me at the table.

When everyone’s attention was on something else, I said, “I didn’t think you wanted to get married.”

“It was you. You changed everything. My outlook on life, my belief in love, and a future with you in it. I want you to live with us and be my wife. I’ve never wanted anything more.”

My heart filled with love for him. “I want that too.”

“Are you sure? I know you said you didn’t need a piece of paper to show your love for someone.”

“My parents weren’t married, and we always wondered why not. If they loved each other so much, why not take that step? I want that. I want you to be my husband. I want to live together. I want to grow our family.”

His eyes shone with unshed tears. “You want children?”

“I do.” I wanted everything with Finn.

We were surrounded by our friends, and I’d never been happier. “Did you like your song?”

I loved that he called it my song. “I loved it.”

“I sold my first song the other day.”

I gasped. “Why didn’t you say anything?”

“I was waiting for the contract to be signed. I wanted to propose, but I wanted to plan something special. Then I had the idea of writing a song for you. It’s funny because I’d been playing around with this song for a long time but couldn’t get the lyrics right. When I decided it would be my song for you, that I’d ask you to marry me, the words just fell into place. Like it was meant to be.”

“I love that.”

“I love you.” He pulled me to him so that I was sitting in his lap.

My arms looped around his neck. “You ready to get out of here?”

“I thought you’d never ask.”

We stood and said our good-byes to our friends before heading outside. Finn held my hand over the console on the short drive home. “I can’t believe you’re here and that you’re wearing my ring.”

I lifted our joined hands, the diamond sparkling as we passed the streetlights. “It’s gorgeous.”

“I wanted something as bright as you.”

“I love it.” It wasn’t about the ring or the piece of paper. I’d say it wasn’t about the song, but I’d always cherish it. How many women could say their man wrote a song about them? I think the words and notes would always play in my head. It was special, something that was only ours, and I could keep it forever.

“I didn’t start living until I met you,” Finn said.

“You had Paisley.”

Finn shook his head. “I was going through the motions. Doing everything I knew to do, but I didn’t have you. I didn’t know how to let love in. My world was dark, and you filled it with light.”

“You have a way with words.” It was no surprise that he’d sold a song, and I had no doubt he’d sell many more. All our dreams were coming true, even ones we didn’t know we had.

When we arrived at his house, I was eager to connect with him, to be as close as I could. As soon as the door was closed and locked behind us, Finn was kissing me. My back fell against the front door, and then he was lifting me so my legs wrapped around his waist.

He carried me to his room—no, our room now—and laid me gently on the comforter. He hovered over me, kissing me and pushing my shirt up so he could touch me. Despite our initial urgency, we slowly removed each other’s clothes, savoring each kiss.

When we were both naked, he flipped us so that I was on top. He cupped my breasts as I slid down his length. I felt so full. Finn filled me in so many ways, and I loved connecting with him this way.

He lifted his head and took one nipple in his mouth, then the other. I increased the pace, chasing my release. And when we went over together, I couldn’t help but think that Finn was mine forever.

We’d live in this house, raise his daughter, and maybe another child, and live out our dreams. Anything was possible.