Page 78 of How To Fake A Fiancé

“I don’t want to go either,” he replies. “I never want to leave you. I could never let you go.”

I fight back more tears that threaten to well up. “Y-you want to stay?”

“Yes. And I will stay with you because I want you for forever and eternity. Even when you’re sick and tired of me, I’ll still want you because I love you.”

For the first time since I’ve met Ian, I finally understand what he’s been trying to tell me. That he really means it when he says he wants me, that he loves me.

“I-I love you, too,” I confess without hesitation. “I want all of you, forever. Nothing else.”

Just as the words escape my lips, he wraps me in his arms and crashes his lips to mine.

The kiss is passionate, filling me with a sense of calm, relief, and overwhelming joy.

I wrap my arms around his neck, leaning into the kiss. His scent and taste are everywhere, and I’m loving it.

He pulls away, getting down on one knee and revealing the ring again. A thin gold band, adorned with a small and simple but elegant diamond, is perched in the middle of the box. “Would you do me the honor of making me the happiest man in the world and marrying me?”

I can’t stop crying and smiling at the same time.

“Yes. Yes. She’ll marry you,” I hear my mom’s muffled yell from the other side of the door.

Ian and I laugh, before I respond, “Yes. And so many yeses after that.”

Epilogue

Saturday, December 31 (New Year’s Eve)

The Brick

Dallas, TX

Kami

Between Thanksgiving and now, lots of changes have been happening. I’ve reconciled with my family, I’m engaged to the love of my life, and I’m moving in with him once the new year starts. Life couldn’t be better, and I haven’t felt this happy in a long time.

Since Thanksgiving, Ian and I have been inseparable. When we’re not working, we find time for each other, whether it’s having dinner, the occasional lunch, me helping out at the Brick on the weekends, or making love to him over and over again.

Ian and his whole family are especially excited. Not just for us, but also for the future of the bar. Putting my social media skills to good use, the bar is now a huge sensation. Business is booming.

To celebrate the new year, as well as the bar’s recent success, we’ve decided to open to just our friends and family.

With ten minutes to go before midnight, the room is loud and crowded with laughing and conversation. Ian, Jake, and Jonathan are sitting with a beer and having a laugh, while Mia, Kiera, and I settle at a booth nearby with our third pitcher of margaritas.

“I feel like I just moved in with you, and you’re already leaving.” Mia pouts.

“Don’t worry. You’ll still see me at the office.”

“I know that, but it won’t be the same.”

“True, but I’m sure you and your new roomie will get along great,” Kiera assures.

“Maybe, but I’ve yet to meet her. She seems to be all but a ghost.”

I stare at her, puzzled. “You mean she hasn’t reached out?”

Mia shakes her head. “Other than sending a message that she’ll be moving in a few days after New Year’s, nothing.”

Huh, that’s interesting. “Maybe she’s busy.”

---