Page 119 of Defend Me

I know I’m exactly where I’m supposed to be.

And I know just what I’m going to do next.

CHAPTER THIRTY-EIGHT

NOAH

A week later, I find myself at the Everton mansion for Christmas, amazed at how much my life has changed in such a short time.

I’m no longer a sheriff’s deputy.

I’ve been arrested and then exonerated for a crime I didn’t commit.

And for the first time in years, I’m in a relationship.

We gather in the sunroom, an enormous tree decked out in lights and ornaments glinting in the window, overlooking the huge lawn that leads down to the bay, currently blanketed in a crisp white layer of snow. Presents spill out from beneath its piney branches. Pop is here, as well as Isla’s parents and her sister Grace. Charlotte texted to say she and Jake and Joni will be stopping by. Russell Everton stands off in one corner, surveying his family almost as if he’s unable to wrap his head around the fact that it’s grown to include so many people.

Von is laughing about something with Isla as Alistair teases Finn about a date his campaign manager set him up on. Finnblushes so hard even his neck turns red. Daisy rolls her eyes and gives Al a good-natured elbow to the ribs. Caden sidles up next to me.

“Merry Christmas,” he says.

After his initial shock wore off—and once we told him the whole story of how Von and I fell in love—Caden has become more and more enthusiastic about Von being my girlfriend. He says it makes me even more part of the family.

And the Evertons are about to get a new official member. They just don’t know it yet.

“You look nervous,” I tell him.

“I’m fine,” he says, tugging at his collar.

I chuckle and shake my head. “She’s gonna say yes.”

“Don’t jinx it.”

“You didn’t think she was going to agree to a date with you, and what did I say?”

Caden grimaces. “You said she’d say yes.”

“I said she’d say yes.”

“This is a bit of a bigger ask, though. You sure I’m not rushing things?”

“Doyoufeel like you’re rushing things?” I ask him.

Caden glowers at me. “I hate when you turn my questions against me.”

I smile sweetly. “I know. That’s what makes me a good investigator. Speaking of,” I say, as members of the staff come in with trays of champagne for a toast. “Von has a little announcement to make, if you don’t mind holding off for just one sec.”

Caden’s head snaps toward me. “She’s not pregnant, is she?”

“What? No!” I yelp. “Definitely not. We are not there yet.”

The papers were a feeding frenzy for the few days after my trial ended and me and Von’s very public kiss. Everly Harris was equal parts disgruntled she didn’t get the scoop and glad she got a couple days of juicy headlines. But if she was hoping to turn public sentiment against us, she was wrong—it turns out, thepeople of Magnolia Bay are thrilled with my and Von’s relationship. The billionaire’s daughter and the hometown (former) cop. It’s a storybook romance. The locals are feeling very proprietary over us, which is quite endearing. We’ve been offered free meals at Osteria Fortuna, congratulatory bouquets from Joni at Magnolia’s Petals, gift baskets from Dev at the Grater Good, and an outpouring of advice from Mrs. Greerson.

Everly Harris has gone back to writing about the minutes of the city council meetings.

Caden and I both take flutes of champagne as Von taps on her glass to get everyone’s attention.

“Scuse me,” I say to my best friend as I come to join her at her side. I’m so damn proud of her, and excited for this next chapter—for both of us. I can’t wait for her to share this news with her family.

---