Epilogue

Six months later

Inside my Maserati, nerves jittered in my stomach as I steered the car along a beautiful road with a breathtaking view of a glittering lake that sparkled like the bright future I was making with Eva. We were heading to Vermont to meet up with Grandpa Collins. I hadn't seen him since his last visit to Brookline, when he invited me to lunch.

Grandpa Collins was an important key factor in how my relationship with Eva started and where it was going now. I had something planned for this visit, and Grandpa Collins had a crucial role behind the scenes in setting up the same meal that had been served when Eva and I first had lunch at her apartment.

"How's business at the flower shop?" I clutched Eva's hand in mine.

"Wonderful and busy. Now that I'm the owner, I get to be more creative. It's a dream come true. Thanks to you, loan officer."

"What happened to ‘lover' or the sexiest man alive?"

"Those were a given already."

When I loaned her the capital, I knew the store would be successful. Passion for the work oozed from her. That kind of love created success. Eva had paid me back every month, as our contract had stated. What she didn't know was that I was investing in love.

I didn't need or want her to pay me back. But if I told her that, she wouldn't accept my help. That fund was now reserved for whatever she wanted to do with her flower shop. Maybe she wanted to expand it someday.

I loved Eva, and I wanted her dreams to come true. She already made mine a reality. My life had been filled with so much darkness, I hadn't dared dream about anything until Eva entered my life and chased the darkness away.

"Grandpa is so excited to see us," Eva said. "He was planning another visit, but I told him we'd make the trip up instead."

"It's a long ride for him. We can make the trip from now on."

I'd enlisted Grandpa Collins' help to secure this ultimate step that would make Eva mine forever. Last month, her father, Henry Collins, had already given me permission to ask Eva to be my wife. I'd spoken to her parents on the phone many times, but hadn't met them in person yet. The couple enjoyed traveling. Henry and Laura would be in attendance today—a surprise for Eva.

Eva squeezed my hand. "He's very proud that he brought us together. I was never a fan of matchmaking, but Grandpa trusted his intuition."

I wished I could tell Eva that her grandfather was arranging something unforgettable and life-changing during lunch.

I thought about the past events that led me to this moment. If the thief hadn't stolen Eva's purse, I wouldn't have run after him. Grandpa Collins wouldn't have invited me to lunch, and Eva wouldn't have agreed to a date with me.

Life was filled with interesting moments that were etched in our memories forever.

"I'm grateful to him," I said.

Eva smiled. "Thank you for being so . . . incredible, understanding, caring, and so many other things I don't even have the words for. You've transformed my life, Kain. I love you."

"I love you too." I cleared my throat. "Since you love me so much, does that mean you're willing to be my wife one of these days, Passionflower Goddess?" I wiggled my eyebrows at her, not wanting her to see how serious I was.

She'd gotten used to the nickname since I started calling her that during one of our many afternoon nookie sessions in my office.

"That depends on what kind of new ‘training' you've got for me."

I turned into the senior community complex and pulled into the parking spot.

"That's my parents' car!" Eva pointed to the car beside us. "I thought they were in Europe."

"Maybe they missed their daughter," I replied.

Eva considered me, narrowing her eyes. "What did you do? What kind of trouble are you causing?"

I whispered, "The kind that makes your panties wet."

Laughing, she slapped my chest. "I'm serious! What's going on? Something feels off."

I got out, rushed to her side, and opened the door. "Let's find out."

* * *