Page 176 of What Remains

I stand a few seconds later and grab my clutch. “I’m going to use the ladies’ room, be right back.” I’m itching to sneak off and send Easton a selfie. I’m in a red dress he’s never seen. It’s sleek with a thigh-high slit he’ll appreciate.

I take a couple of sexy shots and send them.

Hope I’m not distracting you.

He replies within seconds with three fire emojis.

Easton: Definitely worth the distraction. I’m flat on a roof next to your dad, though. He almost saw the photos.

Good thing you’re stealthy. AND that I wasn’t naked.

Easton: I would like to make it home alive.

Only way you’re allowed to come back.

Easton:

Be safe up on that roof. Love you.

Easton: Always. Love you.

Easton: And, babe? You look absolutely gorgeous. You’ll need to wear that dress when I come home.

So you can take it off?

Easton: Of course.

I send him a fire emoji and tuck my mobile into my clutch, then head past Secret Service to join the others.

“Everything okay?” Camila asks as I drop into my chair.

I pick up my champagne flute and smile. “I don’t know, you tell me?”

“Don’t worry,” she says softly, “this is one situation you don’t need to stress about.”

I narrow my eyes. “And that means?”

Camila meets my gaze over the rim of her own glass and smiles. It’s a knowing, almost secretive expression. “You’ll find out soon enough.”

Epilogue

EASTON

MIDDLEBURG, VIRGINIA - THREE WEEKS LATER

I guide Gwen the last few steps, my hands resting lightly on her shoulders as gravel crunches under our shoes.

“Don’t laugh if I trip,” she warns. “I feel like I’m about to go off a cliff.”

I bark out a low, husky laugh. “I would dive after you, don’t worry.”

“Oh, I know,” she murmurs.

“But no cliffs. Promise.”

Wind lifts strands of her blonde hair, and she tilts her head as if trying to map the world through sound alone.

“Okay, we’re not in city territory, that’s for sure.”