Page 599 of The Winslow Brothers

Maria looks up and notices me watching her, and her eyes light up, even from this distance across the room. She speaks briefly to Nate, who nods, taking both of Izzy’s hands in his own and doing a tiny version of the twist.

Maria walks in my direction, her sexy hips swaying with every perfect step. She’s like a goddess in that satin bridesmaid dress, and tonight, when this is all over, I’m going to treat myself to the perfection I know is underneath.

Thanks to my dirty thoughts, my smile has turned salacious as Maria arrives, and she’s observant enough to notice.

“What are you thinking, mister?” she asks, leaning over the railing in front of me to wink and whisper.

I waggle my eyebrows slightly. “I promise, my love, in about two hours or so, when the party is over and the kids are asleep and I have you all alone, you’re going to find out.”

She laughs, her head rolling back as the melodic song pours out of her throat. When she meets my gaze again, there’s a naughtiness in her whole demeanor. “Is that right?”

I nod.

“I’ll be ready,” she says in a thick, low, sexy-as-fuck voice that makes me have to adjust myself in my seat. She winks, turns, and walks away, her bare back taunting me above the sway of her perfect ass.

God, I’m one lucky son of a bitch.

My phone buzzes on the table, and when I look down to grab it, there’s a mysterious Polaroid next to it. Curious, I pick up the picture first.

It’s a candid shot of the end of the ceremony, all of us piled on top of Rachel and Ty in their happiest of moments.

In the background are the smiling faces of my mom, Howard, Uncle Brad, Aunt Paula, Lexi, Lydia, Lou, Nathaniel, and all our kids spread throughout the arms of people who would protect them with their lives.

It’s a perfect angle—it’s a perfect picture, capturing my world in its entirety.

And by the position of the person behind the camera, I have a feeling I know just who the taker was.

Smiling with a shake of my head, I set the picture down on the table and pick up my phone, and it’s no less than I expect.

A single text is there, the sender and the photographer one and the same. She’s gone from the party, of this I’m sure, eventhough she disappeared without a word, but I doubt entirely that she’s gone from our lives.

C: Was it worth it, my darling, opening your heart?

I don’t bother pretending there’s anything to say but the truth—that Cleo was right all along. I have everything.

Everything I’ve ever wanted and then some.

Remy: It sure as fuck was, Cleo. It sure as fuck was. Thank you.

C: It was, without a doubt, my dear Remington, my greatest pleasure. Be happy. XOXO, Cleo

THE END

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