Epilogue

Emily

Five months later

"Where are we going?"

"It is a surprise, mi vida ."

"Another one?" I roll my eyes. "When are you going to stop spoiling me?"

"Never." He flashes me one of his wolfish grins.

I sit back in the seat, smiling. On New Year's Eve, I will be marrying the man of my dreams, a millionaire no less. And I don't know if I'm ever going to get used to being spoiled. My Alejandro is unpredictable in the best ways possible. "Is this my Christmas present?"

"One of them." He winks.

"Look! It's snowing!" I point at the windshield.

Alejandro slams on the brakes, jerks the wheel to the right, and drives up over the curb. In a flash, he is out of the car, standing with his arms spread wide and his tongue snapping in and out like a frog.

"What on earth are you doing? You could have killed us."

"I want to taste the snow, mi vida . Is this not how it is done?"

"Umm, no." I climb out of the car, spread my arms wide, tip my head back, and stick out my tongue, watching the tiny flakes land. "The trick is to keep your tongue in one spot. You try."

"There is no taste." His brow furrows.

"No. But it's fun." I hook my arm through his. "Are you happy living here?"

"I'm happy wherever you are, mi vida ."

My heart soars. "You always say the nicest things."

He pulls me into his chest. "I say only the truth to you."

"Then tell me my surprise." I giggle.

He kisses the tip of my nose. "No. Get back into the car. You shall know soon enough."

"Is it bigger than a breadbox?"

"No clues." He tucks me back into my seat, clicks the seatbelt, and gives me a kiss that has my insides turning to goo.

"I love you," I sigh.

"I love you, more."

I reach over to brush snowflakes from his beard. "Can I wear my surprise?" I slide my hand down his parka until it lands on his thigh. "Is it smaller than a breadbox?"

"You may torture me as much as you like. I will say nothing." He laughs. "We are almost there."

"Really?" I sit up straight, scanning for a clue.

We turn onto a tree-lined street of colorful Victorian homes with picturesque lawns and fabulous views of the Atlantic.

"This is one of the reasons I'm so glad I moved to Whiskey Creek," I sigh. "You can be in one part of the town and find modern houses. And then, boom! You take a turn and find this kind of beauty. Of course, being close to Janie is also another reason."

Up ahead, a massive, three-story Victorian catches my eye. It has three octagonal towers topped with round pointed roofs and a large cream-colored, wraparound porch with ornate bay windows. It's painted to perfection with a deep, rich cranberry and pale pink gingerbread trim.

I love it.

We drive past it, and I watch it fade in the side-view mirror. One day, a house like that will be mine.

Alejandro pulls into the driveway of a blue Victorian with big wide columns and a farmer's porch.

"What are we doing here?" I peer out the windshield.

"Wait." He takes out his phone. "What is the number on the house?"

"One hundred seventeen."

He backs out of the driveway. "I made a mistake."

"Okay. What number are you looking for?"

"Seventy-two."

As we coast back up the street, I read the numbers off of the mailboxes out loud. When I get to seventy, I start to hyperventilate.

Alejandro parks in the driveway of the cranberry Victorian. "We are here," he announces.

"Who lives here?" I whisper.

"We do." He climbs out of the car. "Come. Let me show you."

"This is ours?"

"Sí." He holds out a key.

"Ours?" I'm shaking so badly I can't move.

Alejandro presses the key into my palm and scoops me into his arms. Snow swirls around us as he walks up the front steps.

"It's beautiful," I squeak out through tears. "Absolutely beautiful."

"You have not been inside, mi vida ." He laughs. "Unlock the door."

He tilts me down so that I can put the key in the lock. With a click , the door opens. We step into a wide-open foyer with a grand staircase, antique hardwood floors, and…I clap a hand over my mouth.

"Alejandro…" I inhale.

"Do you like it?"

"Like it? I love it!" He sets me down and I run to the wall, tracing my fingers over the wooden sign. Rose Cottage Inn is carved in big, bold letters, surrounded by deep pink cabbage roses. "You did this for me."

"Yes." He comes up behind me, folds his arms around my waist, and holds me tight. "I want to give you your dreams, mi vida . Every one of them."

"I don't know what to say." Tears begin to fall.

"The house has twelve bedrooms with en suite bathrooms. Every bedroom has its own fireplace. There is a full kitchen on the first floor, a perfect spot out back to build your restaurant, and a garden that will bloom in spring, roses in every color. All you have to do is decorate it."

I turn into his chest. "I'm so lucky to have you."

"And I'm lucky to have you. I ask only one thing of you, mi vida ." He rests his chin on the top of my head.

"Name it."

"Love me forever."

I cup his handsome face in my hands. "I will love you for an eternity, my wolf. Every second, every minute, every hour of every day. I will always love you."

Anne

I was stuck in a marriage where I was never a priority. Work always came first.

Now one year later, I'm divorced, switched careers, and am taking myself on the honeymoon I never got to have.

But the city of love seems to have other ideas for my trip when a handsome chef bumps into me and is determined to make up for it.

Alexandre is like a Grecian statue come to life, who's decided to be my personal Parisienne guide. I want nothing more than to give in and explore Paris with him by my side.

But can I risk giving my heart to someone who's always working?

Alexandre

I'm head chef at a popular restaurant in the Latin Quarter who never has time for relationships outside of the kitchen.

But it's been okay since cooking is my passion. I'm considering moving to Spain for a new opportunity and I haven't been able to make up my mind.

However, when I literally run into Anne in the market, my heart stumbles too.

She's smart, passionate, and lights up the room with her smile. I want to spend as much time together as possible.

But should I put my career on hold to give this a chance of being something more than a vacation fling?

Get ready to jet set across the globe with the Passport to Love series, a collection of heartwarming and steamy romantic comedies. Follow strong-willed, confident women as they embark on international adventures and discover their soulmates in exotic destinations like Cairo, Berlin, and Madrid. Against the vibrant backdrops of these enchanting cities, love blossoms in unexpected and delightful ways.

Perfect for indulging your sweet tooth before bed, these short stories will leave you craving for more happily ever afters. With no cheating and no cliffhangers, this series guarantees a satisfying and uplifting read.