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Epilogue

Henley

“I’m glad you agreed to come back again,” Dr. Langford said. “He always wants to cancel these appointments, so the fact that he’s still coming is a good sign.”

“ He can hear you.” Easton chuckled, feigning irritation. “And he was fine with it. Plus, I know my girl is not going to bail on therapy. She lives for this shit. Any chance to analyze me, right, baby?”

“Well, I do enjoy diving into that mind of yours,” I said. “We’re in this together, Chadwick.”

“I’m glad to hear it. So, no panic attacks in the last two weeks?” Dr. Langford asked my boyfriend.

“Nope. And trust me, I worried that they’d come when we moved in together, but I’ve been more relaxed than ever.” His voice was all tease as he winked at me. “Best decision I ever made.”

“Me, too.” I smiled up at him, and he tugged me against him.

We’d grown even closer now that everything was out in the open. He’d been vulnerable with me, and it was almost as if this invisible weight had lifted from his shoulders.

“And I assume your father is still being supportive, and you introduced him to your grandparents?” Dr. Langford asked.

“Yes. My dad has been very supportive. We just had dinner with him this past weekend with my grandparents. And, of course, they loved him.” I bumped him with my shoulder as my teeth sank into my bottom lip.

My grandparents were thrilled for me and Easton, and it meant a lot to me. I didn’t have a big family like he did, so I wanted him to know the few people in my life that were important to me.

“You’re adorable, Princess. You know that?” He leaned down and kissed my forehead. “I loved meeting her grandparents, and her father seems genuinely happy for us.”

Dad was very happy for us, and it meant a lot to me. He’d insisted on some changes at the office, and we hadn’t had an issue with it. I was no longer working directly under Easton, and my probation period had come to an end. Easton was still determined to get his name on the wall and make partner, and my father assured him that the partners had already met and agreed, so his promotion would be coming in the new year.

“Jamison is getting out of rehab soon. How do you feel about that?” She steered her question to Easton.

In the past, he would have gotten tense and serious, but he just kept smiling at me. “I feel fine about it. He wrote that letter, and he’s done the work, so it seems genuine.”

“And,” I said with a laugh, “you called and spoke to him.”

Dr. Langford raised a brow. “Oh? What did you say?”

“I just asked how he was doing and let him know that Henley and I were together. It was an olive branch.”

“It was a warning,” I said, and I couldn’t stop the smile that spread across my face.

He was working on his irrational fear of keeping me safe, but that didn’t mean he wasn’t a protective guy by nature. And though he wasn’t having panic attacks and nightmares right now, Easton would still punch a guy in the face if he knocked me out of a raft or tried to push his way into my hotel room.

That was who he was.

And I wouldn’t change a thing.

“Listen. I’m good with her living her life. We’re all going skiing this month, and I feel fine about it. But this guy got aggressive with her, and I’m glad he’s seeking treatment, but I want him to know that I’m here. End of story.”

“Well, I can get behind that. Protecting the people you love is in your nature. You just have to keep it within reason.” Dr. Langford smirked.

“I’m working on that,” he said. “Thank you for torturing me week after week, Doc. I’m the happiest I’ve ever been, and I owe a lot of that to you.”

“I appreciate it,” she said. “But you’ve done all the hard work. And life is a marathon, not a sprint. So, I plan to see you both back here in two weeks.”

Easton groaned. “Fine. See you then. Have a nice holiday.”

I gave her a hug goodbye, and Easton and I both put our jackets on, as it was cold and snowy outside. Easton reached for the white beanie with the large pompom from my pocket and pulled it over my head.

When we stepped outside, we walked through downtown. I loved it here this time of year. The storefronts all had festive window displays, and the streetlights were wrapped in garland with white twinkle lights around them and overflowing baskets filled with red and white flowers.

“We’ve got a stop to make before we go Christmas shopping,” I said, pulling open the door to The Vintage Rose.

“All right,” he said, as we stepped inside. We both stomped our feet on the doormat to get off any snow and moisture before moving further inside.

“Hey, Henley, Easton. Nice to see you,” Emilia said as she looked up at us from where she was cutting a few roses and wrapping them in paper.

I’d gotten to know her since moving to town, and she was really sweet.

“Hi, Emilia,” I said, admiring the arrangements on the counter that were clearly ready for delivery.

Easton gave a curt nod and said hello. He was cautious with her because he hated that her family had printed stories about his family. But Emilia didn’t even work for the paper, and though Bridger was convinced she was the one writing ‘The Taylor Tea,’ there was no proof of that at all.

“I’ve got your flowers all ready for you.” She walked to the refrigerator and pulled out a pretty arrangement of red and white florals with fresh greens mixed in.

“Thank you. These are gorgeous,” I said.

“I just brought you flowers home yesterday.” Easton furrowed his brow.

“They aren’t for me,” I said.

I’d paid over the phone when I’d called in the order, so I thanked her as we made our way to the door.

“Have a great day,” she called out, and we waved goodbye and headed back out into the cold.

“She’s really nice. You shouldn’t blame her for a paper that her family runs,” I said, leading him down the street and to the right.

“Bridger is convinced she’s the one writing that column.”

“He has no proof. He’s just looking to hate someone, and she’s an easy target because her family owns the paper.” I turned down the street, leading him toward the cemetery.

When we got to the entrance, he came to a stop. “What are we doing here?”

“We’re wishing Jilly a happy holiday.” I pushed up on my tiptoes and kissed him, as we stood with the snow falling all around us.

“I haven’t been here in years.”

“I know. Dr. Langford asked you about it in therapy last week, and I just thought it might be nice to come and visit. It’s all part of moving forward.”

“How’d I get so lucky to find you?”

“I’m the lucky one, Chadwick. Come on,” I said, and he pointed in the direction of where she was buried.

I set the flowers down on the grass, and Easton just stared down at her grave. “Hey, Jilly Bean. There’s someone I want you to meet.”

I smiled. “I think she’d be happy for you.”

“Yeah, I do, too.” He kissed the tip of my nose. We stood there for twenty minutes, and he told me about one Christmas when she had gotten him an orange sweater that he absolutely hated, but he wore it to dinner with her because he didn’t want to hurt her feelings.

He laughed at the memory and said goodbye to her before we made our way out of there and walked toward home.

We’d both learned that the past was just part of the journey. It was what led you to where you were now.

And you didn’t have to run from it or hide from it; you just had to keep moving forward.

And that’s exactly what we were doing.

Together.

Christmas was just a few days away, and we were sitting in front of our Christmas tree, admiring the pretty ornaments. Some I’d collected over the years, and others were ornaments that Ellie Chadwick had given us, as she’d collected some for each of her kids to use on their trees now that they were grown. But most, we’d gone out and purchased together over the last few weeks.

Easton had gotten me a crown ornament that said Princess on it. I’d found a pickleball ornament and had the guy at the holiday shop paint Chad-Six on it.

He’d bought me a river raft ornament and insisted that we were going to get back out on the river when the weather warmed up.

“I think my favorite is that big-ass shark ornament.” Easton turned to look at me. “He’s such a badass.”

“Well, that’s why they call you the shark. You’re a badass, Easton Chadwick.”

“Love you, Princess.” He kissed me and then pulled back. “Thanks for showing me how good life could be.”

“Yeah? You don’t mind shacking up with your coworker?”

“Never been happier, baby.” He kissed my neck as my phone vibrated on the table.

“Me, too,” I said, reaching for my phone. “Oh, it’s Lulu. She’s supposed to be at dinner with her family tonight.”

“Take it,” he said, sitting back against the couch as I answered.

“Hey. Aren’t you at dinner?” I asked.

“Well, dinner ended abruptly. Check your texts. I sent you the photos currently going viral on the internet,” Lulu said, her voice calm as I switched her to speakerphone and opened my texts.

I gasped at the sight of Beckett Bane in a rage at a famous steakhouse in the city. The table was flipped. Lulu’s family stood there, gaping in surprise.

“Oh, my gosh, Lu. What happened?” I asked, as Easton leaned against me and read the screen with me.

“Hurricane dickhead happened. That crazy ex of mine read an article where my father was recently asked about my relationship with Beckett, and of course, my dad was pleased to say that I was dating someone and was very happy, because obviously that’s what I’ve told him. Beckett, the cheating reptile that he is, flew into a jealous rage. Apparently, his tour was on a break, and he was in the city and somehow found out where we were eating, and he came there. Drunk and sloppy and completely irrational. My God, Hen, how did I ever date that guy? He’s fully sleeping with someone else, and he won’t leave me alone.”

“I’m so sorry. I’m sure your dad is upset.”

“Yeah. He gave me another one of those disappointed looks, and my mom tried to soften things by telling him it was not my fault. I can’t control a crazed boy band musician who continues to have temper tantrums every few weeks. I’ve cut him out of my life. I’ve blocked him. We don’t speak. I’m in a very serious fake relationship, according to the press.” She laughed.

“So what happened at the restaurant? How are you going to avoid seeing him if he’s in town?”

“That’s what I’m calling about. The restaurant called the police, so I’m guessing he’ll be detained tonight, and I’m leaving town with my family for the holidays tomorrow. But I was wondering, is Easton’s house still available for rent? I think I’m going to come to Rosewood River for a few months. I need a break from the city, and I’ve got to work on some new designs, so what better place to do that than a gorgeous small town with no paparazzi and my best friend right down the street? Apparently, Beckett canceled his tour dates and will most likely be in the city for the next few months, so I’d prefer not to be here.”

“Hey, Lulu,” Easton said. “The house is yours if you want it. My brother, Rafe, is having his home renovated after the holidays, but he’ll just be staying in the guesthouse on the property. It has its own entrance, so you’ll barely see him.”

“That would be great. I need some time away. I appreciate it.” She sounded tired, which was out of character for Lulu. She’d always managed the pressure of being born into a well-known family, dating a famous musician, and running a huge company so well.

But everyone had their breaking point.

“I’m so excited that you’re going to be living here for a few months. And we’ll practically be neighbors.”

“That’s right, bestie. So you best behave, Easton. I’m sharpening the knives now.” She chuckled, but it sounded forced. “I’ve got to go. We’re leaving early in the morning for the Hamptons, and I need to pack.”

“All right. I love you.”

“Love you, too, Hen. Bye, Easton.”

“Bye,” he said. “Have a good holiday.”

She ended the call, and I scrolled the internet after typing in Beckett Bane’s name, and article after article started coming up. It was all over social media and every major news channel.

The headline for the San Francisco News Today read: Beckett Bane Flies into Jealous Rage over Socialite Lulu Sonnet’s New Love!

“This guy seems like he’s unhinged,” Easton grumped.

“Says the guy who’s been a little unhinged himself.”

He tipped me back on the couch and tickled me. “I didn’t flip a table in a restaurant, did I? I prefer to stick to hospital meltdowns.”

He hovered over me, and his heated gaze locked with mine.

“You dove out of a raft and beat up that jackass Josh, not to mention the vicious pickleball incident with Gary Rite.”

“I can live with that,” he said, rubbing the tip of his nose against mine.

“Yeah? Well, I can, too. And I plan to live with you until the end of time.”

“You sure you can make it that long? You won’t get sick of me?” he asked.

“Never going to happen. I’m all in, Evil Genius.”

He chuckled and just stared at me for the longest time. “I love you today. I’ll love you tomorrow. I’ll love you till I take my last breath.”

“I’m going to hold you to it.”

And I meant it.

Because I’d found my forever in this tall, broody, cocky, overbearing, protective, brilliant, beautiful man… and I was going to hold on tight.

And never let go.

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