65. Epilogue 1

We knew there was interest in our story, but we had no idea it would lead to a book tour all over the country. We were having so much fun traveling together, since my publisher worked to arrange the dates to align with away games. Parker came to a lot of signings and I didn't miss a single game that season. We hired a travel nanny that seemed ridiculous at the time, but really helped us. Lily could come to Parker's games, but signings were kind of intense.

I was happy to indulge in the success from Superstar while it lasted, but I was ready to dust off my "Aurora" jacket. I had a new series planned that was totally made up and born from my imagination. My days of writing what I knew were long gone. My reality was too good. I wasn't trying to find ways to change the past anymore. I just wanted to make up stories that made my readers laugh.

One night, after a fancy dinner with the team, Parker said he had somewhere he wanted to take me. Lily was home with the nanny and probably already asleep anyway, so I agreed. I could see her in the morning.

"Parker, where are we?"

The town car dropped us off at a back door somewhere. I snuck a peek from under my blindfold.

"I've been thinking a lot lately," he told me in the dark. I was half-paying attention and half-curious as hell where we were going. "I know we're keeping the penthouse and I'm so happy that you're living there with me, but I want to make it a little more official. Can we get it put in your name too?"

"I mean, I'm fine with the way it is now, but I'm okay with adding my name if that's what you want."

"I want you to feel like it's just as much yours as it is mine. I want you to redecorate it however you want."

"No more neutral, manly colors? That won't be a blow to your ego?"

"My ego is never going to deflate, simply because you chose me."

"What's gotten into you tonight, Parker?" He'd been overly sappy all day.

He removed my blindfold and I blinked to adjust to the dim light. "You can make fun of me later, but let me be mushy for a minute, okay?"

I laughed, confused. "Okay."

He took my hand in his and traced along my bare ring finger before meeting my eyes. When he did, they were full of clarity. Holy shit it was happening. He smiled when he saw my realization.

"Delilah, I have loved you for longer than I've known what love meant. You've been my best friend, my lover, my confidant, my partner in crime. You're an amazing mother and I consider myself lucky that you continue to choose me to be beside you while you chase your dreams."

"Parker—" My voice cracked as my vision started to blur.

"I want to marry you, no matter what name you go by. Delilah, Del, Dellie, Peach." His smile was radiant and shining with love. "Aurora James. I just want your last name to match mine no matter what and be able to call you my wife. You've always been more than just a friend to me. Your presence in my life has made me a better person. I like when you call me out and make fun of me. I love that you don't hold back with me. I promise to always be your biggest fan and in your corner." He lowered to a knee, still holding my hand and my gaze.

My heart rate spiked, picking up speed as he gathered his thoughts and prepared to give me the line. The lights rose and my eyes blinked a few times to acclimate to my surroundings. We were in Tiffany's downtown and surrounded with more flowers than I could name. It was an array of color that never ended.

"Delilah Blake Howard, best selling author, amazing mother, light of my fucking world. Will you marry me and be my wife?" His expression was soft, unguarded and open to any decision I made.

"Just one question." I cleared my throat, trying to sound as serious as possible but barely holding back my grin. I may have been a reformed cynic when it came to love, but I was still a girl who"d dreamt about this, watched her favorite movie time and time again wondering if someone would love her enough to make a big deal about proposing.

"Anything." The sincerity in his eyes was something I'd always taken for granted, but I wouldn't anymore.

"I need to know one thing." I paused for just a second. "What do you want to marry me for, anyhow?" I quoted my favorite movie of all time, Sweet Home Alabama.

His answering smile was brighter than any of the ones on those posters and billboards they had all around the city. It was the one that was just for me. The one that meant he loved me.

He stood and cupped my cheeks in his hands. "Oh, that's an easy one, baby." He brushed a curly strand of hair behind my ear with a dramatic pause. "So I can kiss you anytime I want."

And he did. He kissed the air from my lungs, yet it felt like I could finally, finally breathe. My lungs felt full for the first time in a long time. This was it. He was mine in a way that he'd never be anyone else's. I'd share him for the rest of my life because so many people loved him and I understood why. I wanted everyone to get to experience the way he made you feel like the most important person in the room. But this part of him wasn't something I'd ever have to share again. Because Parker James was going to be my husband.

My inner child was fist pumping saying, "I told you so" to my young adult self who'd been resigned to being unhappy. I wish I'd believed her the whole time.

When Parker finally let go, he motioned to the jewelers standing behind the glass cases. "Pick one, Peach. Make it big so everyone knows how fucking off limits you are."

He didn't have to tell me twice. Rings were my favorite accessory, and I intended to wear this one until my last breath.