I thread my fingers through the hair at the nape of his neck and bring my mouth to his.
“I like the sound of that,” I whisper, and then I kiss Jack Straithmore with all of my heart. After all, our relationship started as a hare-brained plan of revenge against my ex-boyfriend, but somehow, things turned out alright. Better than alright, in fact. This man is the answer to my dreams, and now, I plan to enjoy life with the handsome billionaire by my side.
Epilogue
Dakota
* * *
Two years later.
Danielle crawls into her daddy’s lap and I smile as he sings Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star to her for the fifth time in the past ten minutes. From the moment she was born, our daughter has had Jack wrapped around her chubby little fingers. And at sixteen months old, she looks just like him too with the same ebony hair and crystal blue eyes.
I smile peacefully. Two years ago, if anyone had asked me where my life would be right now, I would have said I had no clue. The last thing I expected was to be living with my ex-boyfriend’s father, who is now the father of my child and the man I adore. Jack came into my life at its absolute lowest point, when I thought my world was being shattered by my mother and a boyfriend who obviously didn’t care about me. But instead, love knocked when I least expected it. I guess life is strange that way.
“How were things at the Blue Bean today?” Jack asks me, bouncing Dani on his knee. I smile because thanks to Jack, I now own my own coffee shop, the Blue Bean. I always enjoyed working as a barista and having my own business gives me the freedom to spend more time with Dani.
“They were great, and Libs is the perfect manager. She has a way with people, and honestly, I’m not sure I would trust anyone else with my business.”
Jack laughs.
“Your best friend is quite the piece of work,” he agrees.
I pretend outrage.
“She’s not a piece of work! Libby has my back, always,” I declare.
“Of course she does,” my boyfriend smiles. “But she’s still a crazy one.” I know he’s referring to the shenanigans my bestie often gets up to, but I like hearing about them. Now that I’ve been with Jack for years, I love living vicariously through my friend’s tales of dating woe. After all, I was once in her shoes, and I just want Libby to find the happiness that I have now.
But Libs isn’t the only one still around. Surprisingly, my mom and Eddie are still together, although how that’s lasted, I have no idea. I don’t know if they’re in love, or if they’re just really strange people who gravitated together. We’ll never figure it out either, because we don’t really talk to Denise and Eddie. We nod and say hello, but it’s just too awkward. After all, how many people end up with their ex’s mom or dad? Or both, in our case?
Nonetheless, I’m okay with the state of our relationship. Hopefully when she’s older, my daughter will get to know Denise and Eddie on a casual basis, but not before Danielle understands what’s normal and what’s not. I have to explain our situation carefully because it’s so unique.
Jack strolls over to me with the baby cradled in his arms. Her eyes are now fluttering a bit as she fights to stay awake, but Jack has the magic touch and I know she won’t be able to hold out much longer.
He leans in and gives me a quick kiss. “I’m going to go put our girl to sleep, and then I’m coming back for you. Don’t go anywhere.”
I giggle quietly. “I won’t.”
“Good,” he nods.
I watch him carry our daughter up the stairs to put her in bed and shiver a bit with anticipation. I’m overwhelmed with how lucky I am because even after all these years, the heat is still on high between me and my man. Humming a bit, I step into the downstairs restroom and try to straighten my hair and fix my make-up while I wait for Jack to come back down.
When I exit the bathroom, Jack is already in the living room, standing in front of the fire. My heart contracts at his tall, broad form.
“You look beautiful,” he says as soon as he sees me.
I walk over to him and put my arms around his neck and smile up at him. “You look pretty handsome, yourself,” is my sassy retort.
He kisses me, and immediately, the heat flames between us. But then, he surprises me by pulling back and stepping away. I start to ask where he’s going when suddenly, he drops to one knee in the living room. Then, he reaches into his pocket and pulls out a small black box and holds it out in front of him. Once open, it reveals the most beautiful diamond ring I have ever seen.