Page 54 of Love Wasted

Epilogue

Staring out the window, my eyes roam over the foggy, misty streets of London. It’s peaceful. Sighing, I settle a little farther into Paxton’s embrace. His lips press softly against my forehead.

“Thank you,” he says on an exhale, his breath fluttering against my skin.

In the year that has gone by since Paxton told me he loved me and I told him the same, he has said this many times. When he said he’d give up everything and stay with me in San Francisco, give up his dream job, I knew I couldn’t let him do it. Luckily, I can work anywhere, so we packed up and moved a month later.

“You always say that, and I’ve told you it isn’t necessary to thank me,” I tell him without turning around. “It wasn’t just for you. It was for us.”

He turns me around in his arms, dropping his arms to circle my waist and pull me forward. His mouth covers mine in a gentle kiss and when he pulls back, he stares down into my eyes.

“Us. I really love us. I will never stop thanking you for making my dreams come true,” he responds.

“Our dreams,” I state emphatically, taking his hand and placing it over the roundness of my belly.

“Our dreams,” he repeats, dropping to his knees and placing a kiss where his hand was just resting.

When he looks up at me, his eyes shimmering with unshed tears, I caress his cheek and he leans into it. It’s a safe and beautiful feeling to know he loves me.

Her hand is warm against my cheek, her touch silky soft. Everything about the life Cass and I have shared while living here in London has been full of honesty and love. It’s a life I’m not sure I ever thought would be mine, especially with the girl I spent my life trying to forget.

I kiss her round belly one more time before taking her hand again and placing it next to mine on her stomach.

“Marry me.” My voice cracks with emotion, and my eyes focus on her gaze as her eyes open wide with shock. “Marry me, Cass.” I slide one hand over and cover hers as I pull a ring from my pocket with the other. Tears begin to slowly fall down her cheeks, and a smile spreads across her beautiful face.

She nods her head yes, and I slide the ring on her finger. She pulls on my hand and I follow her direction, standing up as she wraps her arms around my neck, tears now flowing freely as we laugh and I hold her in my arms.

“We’re going to love one another, Cass. We’re going to love each other for the rest of our lives.”

Her lips crash against mine.

I’ll never get tired of kissing her. I’ll never get tired of loving her.

I can’t wait to live my life drunk off her love.