Page 21 of Another Curvy Girl and Grumpy Vamp

Epilogue

Baden’s penthouse is buzzing, every corner filled with laughter, music, and the faint hum of magic in the air. It’s surreal, looking around and seeing all these people from different parts of my life gathered together—my family, friends, classmates, everyone celebratingme. Even if Baden went a little over the top with this “small” party in his penthouse, I can’t deny the warmth of it all.

Greer and Nina are fussing over me, arranging the tassel on my graduation cap while debating whether they should steal some of the elaborate flower arrangements scattered around the apartment. The space, usually sleek and minimalist, now bursts with festive color. A shimmering “Congratulations, Merri” banner stretches across the wall behind the dining table, which is covered with trays of my favorite dishes that Baden had flown in from every restaurant in Steele City. All of it is a little much, a littletoo Baden, but in the best possible way.

“Look at you, officially done with college,” Greer says, pulling me into a hug. “I knew you’d make it, butfinally! Also, just so we’re clear, I’m already planning to wear your cap later tonight.”

Nina slides over, champagne flute in hand, her eyes sparkling with mischief. “Or better yet, let’s make a toast with it. I mean, what’s a graduation cap if we can’t ruin it with some bubbly?”

Laughing, I wave them off as I take a sip of my own champagne. “I think Baden would have a heart attack if he saw champagne pouring over a graduation cap in his living room.”

“Oh, please,” Greer teases, nudging me. “The guy’s practically wrapped around your finger. Speaking of which… what’s this we hear about a surprise he has planned for you?”

I raise a brow, trying to play it cool. “You know him, always with some big, dramatic gesture.”

They exchange knowing looks, and I realize I’m giving too much away by the way my cheeks heat. I’m saved from more teasing by a warm arm wrapping around my shoulders. Baden’s standing beside me, tall and imposing in a charcoal suit, his silver eyes softer than I’ve ever seen them.

“How’s the guest of honor?” he asks, brushing a loose curl away from my face.

“Probably overwhelmed,” I admit, giving him a smile. “I did tell you I didn’t need anything too big.”

He smirks, unapologetic. “Thisissmall, by my standards.” He leans down, his voice dropping to a murmur only I can hear. “If it were up to me, we’d be celebrating just the two of us. But I knew how important it was for you to have your friends and family here.”

A soft warmth spreads through me, and I catch his hand, lacing my fingers through his. “Thank you for that.”

Across the room, I notice my parents, deep in conversation—or rather, in an intense dad-daughter’s-boyfriend showdown—with Baden’s attention fully on me, it’s the perfect moment to get a sense of how that’s going. My dad’s always been a bit of a possessive wolf when it comes to me, and I know having avampire son-in-law was probably not on his wish list. Still, he seems to be warming up, however slowly, to the idea.

My mom catches my eye, giving me a wink as she pats my dad’s arm. Her voice is warm, though I can’t hear her exact words, I know that look—it’s her way of saying, “Stop being a grumpy wolf; it’s her life.”

As if on cue, Baden follows my gaze, watching the silent exchange between me and my dad with an unreadable look. After a beat, he slides his arm around my waist, pulling me a little closer, like he’s quietly staking his claim. My dad sees it too, his gaze narrowing, but after a moment, a reluctant smile softens his face, and he gives a barely perceptible nod. Baden grins, clearly satisfied. “Looks like your dad is beginning to accept me.”

“Oh, please, don’t act like you don’t enjoy making him squirm a little,” I mutter, biting back a laugh. “I swear, you two are just circling each other, trying to see who’s the bigger alpha.”

His smirk is purely devilish. “I like a challenge. Besides, he’s starting to understand something important.”

“Oh yeah? What’s that?”

Baden’s voice drops to a husky murmur, his lips brushing my ear. “That you’remine.”

The words send a delightful shiver through me, but I roll my eyes, giving him a playful nudge. “Territorial much?”

“Always,” he says, completely unapologetic. He glances around the room, then leans down, whispering, “Come with me. I have something to show you.”

He offers his hand, his eyes holding that same excitement I saw the first time he showed me his library. I follow him, curiosity piqued, winding through the crowd as he leads me out of the living room, down the hall, and into the private elevator that opens directly into his underground garage.

We step out onto the quiet concrete floor, the hush of the garage a sharp contrast to the noisy warmth upstairs. My heels click softly as I follow him toward his parking space, where a single sign gleams under the dim lighting.

The sign that usually readsReserved for Mr. Eameshas been changed. In its place, it now reads:

"Reserved for Mr. & Mrs. Eames."

I freeze, staring at the words, heart pounding. I turn back to Baden, and he’s watching me, an uncharacteristically nervous smile tugging at his lips.

“Is… is this real?” I whisper, my voice barely above a breath.

“It’s very real,” he replies, taking a step closer. He reaches into his pocket and pulls out a small, velvet box, his fingers careful as he opens it to reveal a ring—a delicate band, intricately carved with designs that seem to shimmer in the low light, a symbol of everything we’ve been through together.

I’m speechless as he drops to one knee, his eyes never leaving mine. “Merri,” he begins, his voice low and warm, “I know I’m possessive, probably infuriatingly so, but there’s nothing in this world or any other that I want more than to spend every day by your side. You’ve taught me how to live again, how to feel, how to love… And I want to give you every part of myself, even the parts that sometimes scare me.” He swallows, his silver eyes shining. “Will you marry me?”

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