Page 75 of Recklessly in Love

“So it’s really over?” she asks, presumably referring to the mess with my father and her former employer.

I take a steadying breath. “For the most part. I imagine my father will throw a tantrum now that he has no way to control me anymore. But that’s nothing new.” I look up at her. “Either way, your career is safe now. You can do whatever you want without fear of retaliation.”

“Whatever I want, huh?” she asks in a sultry tone, running a finger down my arm.

“Whatever you want,” I reply huskily.

Joanie smirks. “Well, after I’m done having my way with you here and we go back to Alpine Ridge, I want to see this incorporation through and figure out if there’s a way I can keep helping the town. That’s what I want.”

I smile and squeeze her calf. “Well, considering that a lot of running a town involves legal matters, that seems like a viable option. But is that enough for you?”

Joanie shrugs but has a thoughtful look on her face. “I could always start my own practice and take on private clients if I need more,” she muses, then meets my gaze. “But if you’re asking whether you’re enough … yes, Greg. You’re more than enough. While I never saw myself living in a small town in the mountains with a man who swims naked in ice-cold lakes, I apparently didn’t dream big enough. I’d be insane to turn down that life.”

I lean in and kiss her softly. “If I get to keep you, I’ll swim naked wherever you want, Joanie.”

She tips her head back and laughs. “This just keeps getting better and better.”

I cover her lips with mine and give her a real kiss. One that leaves her — and me — a little breathless. “That. That right there is my new life goal. To make you say that every damn day.”

Joanie’s expression softens, and she puts a hand on my chest. “I love you, Greg. Being with you, the life we can have, it’s more than I ever thought to dream of. All you need to do is love me, and I’m there. For as long as you’ll have me,” she says. The uncharacteristic seriousness pierces me right in the heart, in a good way.

“Forever okay with you?” I ask softly.

Joanie smirks at me. “I could be convinced,” she says nonchalantly.

I chuckle. “Shall I attempt to convince you right here, or would your bedroom be better?” I tease.

Her pupils dilate, and she grins. “Yes to both,” she teases back. “And you can keep convincing me every day, in our bed, in our home. Deal?”

I extend my hand for her to shake. “Deal. But for the record? My home is wherever you are.”

She nods in agreement. “And my bed is our bed now. Care to get started?”

Instead of answering with words, I scoop her up and take her to the bedroom. To show her I mean it.

Because she is my home. My heart. My everything.

And I’m never letting her go again.

EPILOGUE

JOANIE

As I stand in the wildflower field behind the community center, getting ready to watch my best friend marry the love of her life, I can’t help but reflect on the whirlwind of the past six months.

After Greg and I reunited in Seattle, everything quickly fell into place, surprising even me. I moved in with him in Alpine Ridge, and a few months later, I sold my condo in the city. Though we still use Greg’s Queen Anne house for our Seattle getaways, my heart is firmly rooted in the mountains.

The incorporation efforts hit a snag when the petition signatures were stolen, but Rae, ever the determined force, took it upon herself to collect them again. Within a couple of weeks, we were back on track. The final boundary meeting in June went smoothly, and now we’re just six weeks away from the election that will officially make Alpine Ridge a town.

Mia’s sister, Carrie, has been another surprising but welcome addition to our little family. After graduating and having a massive falling out with their parents, she moved in with Mia and Nate in July. She’s been doing remote work for Western Washington politicians as we enter election season, and she’s also agreed to spearhead our upcoming elections since while a few folks in town were willing to help, none were willing to run the show. It’s a win for everyone; I won’t have to handle something I know nothing about, Carrie’s resume will be even more impressive afterward, and the town will benefit, too.

Greg’s father did try to stir up trouble at the 4th of July celebration, but the town made it clear he wasn’t welcome. He hasn’t been heard from since. To my knowledge, he’s also still holding out on Sera’s buyout offer.

Ned’s parents have likewise found Alpine Ridge less than hospitable now that the truth about their son’s crimes and their cover-ups has spread. They recently put their grocery store up for sale, and Sera pounced on the opportunity. She has grand plans to turn it into something reminiscent of a Trader Joe’s, much to everyone’s delight.

But today is all about celebrating Mia and Nate. The setting couldn’t be more perfect — a sea of purple fireweed, white asters, and lingering yellow buttercups, framed by trees just beginning to don their autumn colors. Mia looks ethereal in her flowy white gown and aster crown, like a fairy bride straight out of a storybook. And Nate, dashing in his light grey slacks and crisp white shirt, can’t take his eyes off her.

The guest list is small but meaningful. Greg and I, of course, along with Rae and Carrie. Nate’s parents and brothers. Everyone is surprised to discover that Nate’s youngest brother is the famous Evan Edwards, one of the hottest action stars in Hollywood. Carrie seems particularly mesmerized by him, and the feeling seems mutual from how he’s flirting. And a handful of our closest friends from town round out the group. Mia’s decision not to invite her parents was difficult, but seeing the pure joy radiating from her and Nate, I know she made the right call.

---