Page 154 of Rescued by the Single Dad

“Uh ... yes, of course. Sorry.”

Brooke’s smile was closed-mouthed and forced. She released the woman, who then scurried off quickly.

Warm hands encircled her waist from behind and lips landed on her neck. “Can we get the fuck out of here already?”

Grinning for real this time, she spun around and looped her arms over Clint’s shoulders. “You read my mind. I’m done with the city.”

“Yeah? Where do you want to go?” His hands made their way to her hips.

“Oh, I dunno ... some island, maybe?”

“Yeah?”

“Yeah. Where everybody knows everybody, the kids can roam like free-range chickens, there are beaches and a great restaurant. Maybe a sexy brewmaster who makes delicious beer? Do you know of any place like that?”

“Hmmm ...” He tapped his scruffy chin. “I might. But ... the brewmaster there is in a relationship, so ... you might be out of luck.”

“I’ll seduce him. No problem. He won’t be able to resist my feminine charms.”

His smile grew wily and roguish. “No, he really won’t.”

“Take me home, island boy.”

His mouth found hers. “As you wish, my mermaid.”

EPILOGUE

Two years later ...

“Ready?” Talia asked, coming into Brooke and Clint’s bedroom. She wore her hair long and slightly wavy down her back, with a spray of wildflowers pinned on one side behind her ear. Her dress was a simple but beautiful floral sundress that reached her shins.

“So ready,” Brooke said with a big smile.

Talia offered Brooke her arm and led her out the bedroom door and down the stairs to the living room where Rocco, dressed in a white linen shirt and khakis, met her. He took Brooke’s arm, and Talia beamed at them as she stepped in front of Brooke and behind her cousins.

Rocco squeezed his sister’s arm. “I’m so happy for you.”

“I’m so freaking happy I could burst,” Brooke said, her smile hurting her face.

The song she and Clint chose started and one-by-one, her nieces and nephews made their way out the patio door to the small backyard that had been set up for the most perfect, intimate backyard wedding.

Talia, of course, was her maid of honor, and Rocco was walking her down the aisle.

“I know I already call you mom,” Talia started, her shiny peach lip gloss only adding to her natural beauty, “but I’m really glad you and dad are …” Her chin wobbled a little and she exhaled out a deep breath causing her shoulders to relax. “I … I’ve wanted this for so long.”

“I’m really glad, too,” Brooke replied.

Next, it was Talia’s turn to head outside and down the aisle.

So much had happened in the last two years.

She starred in two more movies, became a mental health ambassador and did a lot of work with youth, including setting up several scholarships and a fund for those who needed help but couldn’t afford it. Like anxiety medications, therapy and other programs. She was giving back as much as she could, while also maintaining a firm boundary between her personal and professional life.

For the most part, the press stayed off the island, and life went back to normal. For safety, though, and peace of mind, Clint and his brothers did up security measures, and Brooke had a guard posted at the laneway twenty-four-seven.

She and Rocco still kept tabs on their father and aunt and uncle, but it was more for safety than anything. She was done with that part of her life—they both were. But knowing where their father was, as well as Rick and Gina, just added to that peace of mind thing they were going for.

Most of her days were spent on the island, helping Clint at the brewery, Talia with her homework, and making sure guests in the cabins were comfortable and cared for.

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