Total pages in book: 15
Estimated words: 14190 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 71(@200wpm)___ 57(@250wpm)___ 47(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 14190 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 71(@200wpm)___ 57(@250wpm)___ 47(@300wpm)
EPILOGUE
ALLIE
It’s a beautiful life. Not perfect, no. But beautiful all the same.
I mean, it helps that we’ve recently moved into our first house after living in an apartment for years. It’s not just any house, either. It’s the mansion from Gram’s ex.
When Tristan once mentioned asking whether the homeowner would consider selling it, Gram—after debating hard how far she’d go for her new grandson-in-law—went and talked to her ex. There might have been some screaming involved, and I wasn’t sure if it was because they had an argument or if he was having difficulty hearing her. After all, he’s three years older than Gram.
Anyway, while we were having dinner, Gram called us home and dropped the news like it was nothing. Tristan, after recovering from his shock, was so happy and excited that he hugged Gram. Gram who wasn’t a fan of hugging. Gram who hated physical contact with people other than me.
We tried to convince her, but Gram refused to live with us. Not surprising at all. She had two reasons. One, it would take only ten minutes to get to her house by car. Two, she didn’t want to see Tristan’s face 24/7, especially in the morning.
Even though her default face is scowling or frowning or glaring at him, I know deep down she loves him as much as she loves me. I haven’t told him yet, but he’s her speed dial 1.
I’ve just loaded the last batch of plates into the kiln when I hear the rumble of Tristan’s car in the garage. Yep, the same car we had sex in. He refuses to let it go because, according to him, it “holds too many memories”. And by ‘memories’, he means us in the backseat going at it like a pair of animals. I still blush furiously whenever I remember all the things we did and the things he said.
We’ve converted the big room next to the garage and used it as my studio, so it’s there where he finds me. The door opens, and my husband appears. He’s wearing his usual after-work clothes—a band shirt, denim jeans, and sneakers. God, I still can’t get over how handsome he looks even after all these years.
I feel the tingling in my core the moment my eyes land on him. This man comes home to me every day, and there’s nothing I want more.
Tristan smiles and pulls me in for a kiss. “I missed you, Bun.”
Careful not to smudge him with the dirt on my hands, I clasp them together behind me and kiss his jaw. “I missed you too. You hungry? Dinner’s ready.”
He cups my ass and pushes me against his crotch. “You know, maybe we can skip dinner and head straight for dessert.”
As tempting as that sounds, I know he’s gonna love what I made for him. “Depends if you want to leave the potato gnocchi cold.”
A boyish excitement crosses his face. “Dinner it is.”
He slips his fingers through mine, even though I still have evidence of my day’s work all over it, and leads me to the kitchen, but he stops by the door and turns to watch the finished ceramic items by the mahogany table. He lets go of my hand and takes a blue and white mug, inspired by the sky.
Tristan flashes me a crooked smile and kisses my temple. “This is beautiful, Bun. It’s awesome. You’re awesome.”
I’m not ashamed to admit that I get off on his praises. “Thank you, Tris. Admire them all you want because when you start your new job next week, you’ll barely be able to breathe.”
He winces and takes my hand again. “Please don’t remind me.”
“It’s a good thing the house is big enough to accommodate my kiln. That way, I’ll always be here when you get home.”
His forehead furrows, and he runs his thumb along my jaw. “Bun, what do you even mean? You are my home.”
And I melt into a puddle on the floor. I must have saved a thousand lives in my past life. What else did I do to deserve this man?
EXTENDED EPILOGUE
TRISTAN
“How does it feel to finally complete your fellowship training?”
My mouth curls upward. “Like I finally belong. Like I’m finally on the same level as every other doctor.”
“You deserve it.”
“And it wouldn’t have been possible without you. I love you, Bun. Thanks for all the sacrifices you made.”
She runs her hands along my chest before wrapping her arms around my neck. “And I’d do it over and over again. I love you too, Tris. We’re partners, and we’re in this together. Always.”
My breath coasts over her lips before I kiss her, my whole body coming alive under her touch. My hands grope her ass as my tongue invades the hollow of her mouth. She leans into me, and I swallow every sound she makes.