Page 79 of Her Filthy Mistake

One side of the man’s mouth tips upward. “You’re going to love this deal.”

As her eyes eat up the contract, I wait patiently for her response. Is this real? How is this reality? A recording contract? An album in five months? My heart thuds in my chest.

“This is good.”

“I’m not going to lowball you. You know the business.” Ethan shrugs. “Besides, the world needs Jace’s songs and voice.”

“Yes, they do.” Zoe smiles broadly.

The rest is a whirlwind as I read through the contract, trying to find the part where it says, you’re a fool, this is not real, but there’s nothing there. It’s real. And it’s more than I could have hoped for.

After I sign, Ethan shakes our hands and motions us toward the door. “Thank you, and welcome aboard. I look forward to watching you climb the charts.” His eyes narrow a fraction. “Do not disappoint me by losing your muse.”

“I won’t.” There’s no way I’m letting Zoe get away from me. Ever. I clutch her hand in mine, needing something to tether me to reality. Everything I fought for. That was denied to me. It’s all right here. Zoe. Happiness. My career. Life is fucking good. Words and chords float in my head, causing my fingers to twitch. I’m not losing my muse. She’s unleashed it.

“Zoe?”

“Yes?” Her flushed face meets his.

“The offer still stands.”

“I don’t want to be tied down to an office.”

“You can scout talent from wherever you and Jace travel. There’s no reason for you to stay glued to a desk and chair in this building.”

Her mouth drops open, and then she snaps it back shut. “I don’t know what to say.”

He grins. “Say yes.” His lips twitch a little. “Because your father is going to lose a lot of clients and potential clients over the next few years, and I’m sure you had several possible clients in line.”

She glances at me as if in question. “If this is what you want to do, do it. I support you one hundred percent. Besides, you were raised for this very thing.” I shouldn’t grin, but I do. “And it’ll piss your dad off to no end.”

She grins as if she was thinking the same thing and sticks out her hand toward Ethan. “I’d love to.”

“Consider it done.” He gives her a quick handshake, and ushers us toward his receptionist’s office. “Welcome to James Entertainment, Zoe and Jace.”

Excitement rolls through me in waves as the elevator door slides shut. At the whoosh, she leaps into my arms, throwing her full weight into me. “Congratulations, Jace.”

“This would’ve never happened without you.” I kiss her lips and sigh.

After all these years. After all the pain, heartache, depression, gallons of alcohol, drugs, walking away, losing Zoe, giving everything up, regaining perspective and sobriety, claiming Zoe, it all comes full circle.

I pull back and cradle her face. “Zoe, I love you more than life itself. You give me hope and acceptance. Two things that I’d given up on years ago.” I reach into my pocket, pull out a black box, and hit the stop button, suspending us between floors. Her mouth drops open as tears shine in her eyes. “I know this is too soon, but I’ve waited long enough. I’ve ached for you, dreamed about you, and loved you more than anything in the world. I’d give up everything to make you happy. But I would like to think we’re finally at the part of our story where we can have it all and stop hurting.”

I snap open the box, displaying the two-karat solitaire nestled inside. Her shaking finger touches the ring. “It’s beautiful.” She looks at me, and her eyes glisten as brightly as the diamond under the jeweler’s show lights.

“No….” I shake my head. “You are.”

“Stop.” A tear streaks down her cheeks.

“Never.” I smile and drop down to one knee, staring up at the woman who makes my life complete. “Zoe, would you marry me?”

“Yes. Of course, yes. Today. Tomorrow. The next day. And every other day.” I slip the ring over her finger.

“I love you so much, Jace. It would be my honor to be your wife.”

I launch to my feet and claim her mouth, basking in the happiness, letting it settle into my soul. And for once, there’s no fear that it’s going to be yanked out from below my feet. This is our future. This is no mistake. I’m claiming it and never looking back.

Epilogue

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