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EPILOGUE
Six months later
MIKELINAWASSTILL recovering from the bachelorette party, having flown in on a red-eye from New Orleans to make sure all the arrangements at the church and reception hall were perfect for her mother’s special day.
Originally, Tawny and Kirk wanted to get married by a justice of the peace in City Hall, but somehow over the last six months her mother’s pretty beige suit had warped into an epic lace wedding dress with a cathedral-length train, and the wedding had become the event to go to in South Beach.
Mikelina couldn’t wait until it was all over and Kirk and Tawny were settled in at the beach house for their honeymoon. It was the last rental that the place would have before it turned over to the new owners, Jace and Kitty Benjamin.
The good news was that Mikelina wouldn’t have to say goodbye forever to the house and all its wonderful memories. She was still dating Bastien and she imagined that they would be able to convince Jace and Kitty to let them borrow it from time to time. The bedroom off the kitchen was no longer her bedroom in her mind, but her and Bastien’s. And that was a memory that she would treasure forever.
“Is my veil on straight?” Tawny asked her.
“You look beautiful, Mom.”
“I’m doing the right thing, aren’t I?” Tawny gripped her arms and looked frantic.
“I think it’s a little late to be asking this now, but...” Mikelina took in a deep breath. “Yeah, I think you chose a good one.” Kirk adored Tawny and he was an honest businessman who cared about his family and his community.
Tanner Presley was going to be in jail for at least another five years before he was eligible for parole. It was time for all of them to realize that their lives had been forever changed. Mikelina only hoped her father would learn something and work toward absolution in his new future.
“Okay, they’re playing our song,” Mikelina said as the “Wedding March” started. Tawny had wanted her to walk her down the aisle.
Kirk had the aisle strewn with purple rose petals because they were her mother’s favorite. Blinking back tears, Tawny smiled at all their friends and family. Mikelina’s gaze snagged on Bastien who was looking delicious in another custom-tailored suit. She felt herself blush at the carnal, possessive look he gave her.
The passion between them hadn’t faded yet and Mikelina thought she would always want him as desperately as she did the first night in the club. It was nice not to hide who she was anymore, but it was even better to realize that she wasn’t defined by her father’s crimes, and anyone who wanted to paint her with the same brush didn’t deserve her time or attention.
The ceremony was short and sweet and after Kirk kissed his bride, the entire congregation got a surprise when Christian Dibiasi came out and played his latest hit for the bride and groom to dance back down the aisle to.
Selena gripped her arm when they were leaving the church. “Please tell me you can introduce me to him,” she said.
“I think I can arrange that.” Mikelina knew Selena had a huge crush on the musician. After everything Selena had done for her, it was the least she could do to make Selena’s dream come true.
Speaking of dreams coming true, waiting outside the church was Bastien. He picked her up and whirled her around.
“What was that for?” she laughed, hanging on for dear life.
“I love you, that’s what it’s for.”
Mikelina hugged him tight. “I love you, too.”
“I got something for you,” he said, but he was interrupted by the loud beeping of Kirk’s Cadillac as it pulled away from the church trailing tin cans and scrawled with happy messages.
She reached down and, as discreetly as she could, palmed Bastien’s cock. “Does it involve a limo?”
“It could,” he said, taking her hand away. He pressed a kiss to her knuckles and then got down on one knee.
“Bastien,” she gasped.
“Wait! Shit! Wait!” Kitty came running over to them. “Damn these stupid heels. Hold up.” She had her phone out and was taking pictures. “Mom and Dad wanted me to film this, but I can’t figure out the camera.”
“Buzz off, squirt,” Bastien said.
“Come on,” Jace said, guiding his wife away. “We can stage a proposal for the parents later. Let Bastien have his moment.”
“Maybe he’s not such a douchebag after all,” Bastien said when they were out of earshot. “Anyway, back to us.” He cleared his throat. “Mikelina Presley, would you do me the honor of becoming my wife?”
Mikelina forgot to breathe. She had just moved to New York to be closer to him. She was working in a boutique hotel in Manhattan and was considering moving in with Bastien. She’d never even suspected he was going to propose. Of course, they had been spending every waking minute together and most of the sleeping ones, too.
