Page 122 of The Main Event

When his lips collided with mine, I knew it was going to be okay. Sure, we had trials ahead of us, but as long as we were together, we could handle anything.

“So,” he said when he pulled back. “How long do we have to be at this party?”

“From start to finish.” I was firm on that. “We don’t have to get out of bed tomorrow, though.”

“And that right there sounds like the perfect start for the rest of our lives.”

“I wholeheartedly agree.”

29

EPILOGUE

SEVEN MONTHS LATER

“This looks amazing.” I looked around the seventh floor and took in the finished product with wide eyes and a full heart. “I can’t even believe how good this looks.” I was giddy as I threw my arms around Fred. He’d just attached the last molding himself in a symbolic move to mark the fact that the Hunter Hotel renovation was finally finished.

I could breathe again.

“It does look pretty good,” Jax mused. He’d ditched his expensive suit and was in comfortable jeans and a polo shirt today. He still wore suits when he had important meetings, but most days he dressed casually when hanging around the hotel. It was something I encouraged. “I have to say, I’m pretty impressed.”

“And we came in on budget,” Fred said, a twinkle in his eyes.

Jax mock-clutched at his heart. “Hallelujah.”

We’d both been concerned, of course. It was the last leg of the renovations that we struggled with. My idea for Valentine’s Day parties had helped, but March and April had been rough formoney. With summer right around the corner, though, things would be looking up.

“I’ll have your final check to you tomorrow,” Jax promised. His hand landed on my back. “This really does look good, Fred.”

“I told you I was the best when you hired me,” Fred said. “I don’t need constant reinforcement, though. My ego is fine.”

“I have zero doubt.” Jax chuckled. “Is all of it finished?” he asked, catching me off guard.

Whatallcould he be referring to? “What else is there?” I asked dumbly.

“It’s finished,” Fred confirmed, fishing in his pocket until he came back with a different sort of key. All of the rooms had keycard readers, of course. The keys he handed Jax looked like regular door keys. “I think I should get a bonus or something for keeping your surprise a secret.”

“What secret?” I demanded, instantly alert.

“Don’t you worry about it.” Jax closed his fingers around the keys. “If I had a bonus to give you, I would,” he said to Fred. “We cut this final leg pretty tight, though. I’m sorry.”

Fred shook his head. “I was just joking. I don’t need a bonus. You upheld George’s legacy, and you did it well. That’s bonus enough for me.”

Jax shot him a grateful smile. “Thank you.”

“Now all you have to do is make sure this one is happy for the rest of her life.” Fred gestured toward me. “Do you think you can manage that?”

Jax winked at me instead of Fred. “I’m working on it.”

I was bursting at the seams with curiosity as they shook hands. I figured it would be easier to weasel information out of Jax if it was just the two of us, though, so I waited until Fred was gone to pounce.

“Where do those keys lead?” I demanded.

Rather than respond, he motioned for me to follow him. “This way.”

“Just tell me where they go.”

“I am. I’m going to show you.”

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