Page 95 of Wrecked By a Devil

That was never an option, but now that there is even the slightest chance that I might at some point in my life be able to, I’m not sure how I feel about it.

I still want a loving mom but I’m not sure my mom is that person. Yet, I’m willing to take one small step toward facing my past and that’s already a win.

EPILOGUE

Riley

Six months later…

Riley Monroe. Intern Paramedic.

I stare at the little plastic card in my hands for what has to be the hundredth time today. A laugh escapes me before I can stop it.

For years I have been dreaming of this moment. During the late nights buried beneath anatomy textbooks and shifts at the hospital, where my feet hurt so much I could barely walk home. Through every exam.

And now someone is finally paying me to do the thing I’ve dreamt of since I wasn’t even old enough to drive. It still doesn’t feel real. I spend half of the day just introducing myself to my new coworkers. By the time I finish my shift and leave the hospital, the sky has already turned orange.

The buzz of my phone snaps me from my thoughts.

Wear something nice.

Zeke is as charming as always trying to be mysterious and distant. But after dating him for six months already, I know better than that, he’s just a softie at his core. Of course, you have to dig reallydeep to get there, but somehow I got lucky and he let me in.

God, how has it been six months already?

That sounds suspicious.

I type quickly, the smile never leaving my face.

I watch three dots appear on the screen.

Then they disappear again, making me laugh as I imagine Zeke wracking his brain to figure out what to say in order not to sound suspicious.

The three dots appear again, followed by a simple:It isn’t.

Should I be worried?

Always.

I roll my eyes so hard it almost hurts.

Even after all this time, he still enjoys pretending he’s terrifying. But unfortunately for him, I’ve learned he only becomes extra dramatic whenever he’s hiding something. And only if the secret is something he knows I’m going to like.

I stop by my place to change and then drive to his apartment. The doorman greets me with a smile, recognizing me.

“We’ve been expecting you,” he opens the door for me. “Mr. Kavanagh is waiting for you on the rooftop.”

“Of course he is,” I smile back politely and nod.

When the elevator doors slide open at the rooftop, music spills into the evening air. The first thing I notice are the warm lights hanging above the terrace, glowing like little stars against the darkening sky. Long tables are filled with food and someone hired an entire jazz band, because apparently playing music through speakers is beneath Ezekiel Kavanagh.

“You’re here!” Mia crashes into me before I can even react, squealing and squeezing every ounce of oxygen out of my lungs. “You did it!”

“I did,” I smile, hugging my friend back.

“You graduated!” She continues, not letting go of me.

“I did,” I repeat, realizing that she’s already a little drunk.