Epilogue

Sinclair

I seal the last box with a satisfying strip of packing tape, a grin spreading across my face as I survey the nearly empty room. The movers are almost done loading the truck, the sound of their footsteps and the clatter of furniture echoing through the house.

"That's the last thing. Ready to go home?" Lavender asks, appearing in the doorway with a smile that makes my heart skip a beat. My almost live-in girlfriend looks adorable in a pair of yoga pants and one of my old college sweatshirts she stole before the movers arrived to help us pack the place.

"Yeah, the private jet should be ready to take us home," I reply, stepping toward her and pulling her into my arms. I kiss her passionately, pouring all my love and excitement into it, my hands slipping beneath the soft fabric of the sweatshirt to caress the warm skin of her back.

Though Paul and my sisters would've loved it if I had moved to Kentbury, it wasn't something I could do. After Raffa helped Lav's lawyers win her case for the rights to LuxLumens against her ex, Lav and I compromised on where our home base should be. We found a small house in Connecticut where we both moved some of the operations of our companies so we can work there—it's halfway between Boston and New York, a perfect middle ground for our busy lives.

Moving in together seemed like a great idea after only five months of dating. We're still getting to know each other, still discovering the little quirks and habits that make us who we are, but the best way to accomplish that is by not having a long-distance relationship.

At least, that was my excuse, a convenient justification for the overwhelming desire to wake up next to her every morning and fall asleep with her in my arms every night.

She let me win this one, a rare concession from a woman who's used to getting her way. My Lavender is a tough negotiator, and I wouldn't have it any other way. I like having someone who keeps me on my toes, who challenges me to be better, to do better, every single day.

As we break apart from the kiss, both of us breathless and grinning like fools, I tug playfully at the hem of the sweatshirt. "You know, that looks better on you than it ever did on me," I tease, my eyes sparkling with mischief.

Lavender laughs, a blush staining her cheeks as she swats at my hand. "Don't get used to it, mister. I'm only wearing it because all my clothes are packed."

"Sure, sure," I reply, winking at her. "I think you just like stealing my clothes."

She shrugs, a coy smile playing on her lips. "Maybe I just like having a piece of you with me all the time."

I feel my heart melt at her words, a rush of emotion threatening to overwhelm me. "You have all of me, Lav," I murmur, my voice low and sincere. "Forever and always."

Her eyes shine with unshed tears, reaching up to cup my cheek, her touch gentle and loving. "I know," she whispers. "And you have me, too. No matter what."

We stand there for a long moment, lost in each other's gaze, the rest of the world fading away until there's nothing but the two of us, ready to embark on this new adventure together.

We found love and . . . it all started with a summer in Kentbury.