Page 164 of My Big, Fat, Fake Billionaire Wedding

“What?”

She takes the pen and at the top of the document crosses out the word “contract” and writes “marriage vows.”

My heart pounds against my ribs. I pull the velvet box from my pocket and drop to one knee.

“I was going to do this at dinner tonight, but now seems perfect.” I open the box, revealinga platinum band with a princess-cut diamond flanked by smaller azure sapphires. It’s nothing like the ostentatious ring from our first arrangement. This one I chose specifically for her, thinking of the blue flecks she often uses in her paintings, and the blue dress she loves.

“Ava Redwood, will you marry me? For real this time. No business arrangement, no end date. Just us, building something genuine together.”

“We’re already married,” she says, eyes shining with tears.

“On paper.” I take her hand. “I want to do it right. Exchange vows we actually mean, in front ofallthe people who matter to us. Start fresh.”

She kneels down to my level, cupping my face in her hands. “Yes.” Her voice breaks on the single syllable. “A thousand times yes.”

I remove the ring from our arrangement and slide the new ring onto her finger. When I do, I feel something shift within me. The last of my walls crumbling away.

“I love you,” I say, surprised by the ease with which the words now come. “I’ll spend the rest of my life making sure you never doubt it.”

“I love you, too.” She kisses me, soft and sweet. “And I’m keeping both contracts. The old one to remind us where we started, and this one to show us where we’re going.”

I pull her into my lap right there on the floor. “You know, as your husband, I have certain responsibilities.”

“Such as?” She raises an eyebrow, already unbuttoning the shirt she’s wearing.

“Ensuring your complete and total satisfaction.” I trail kisses down her neck. “In all areas of our arrangement.”

Her laughter turns into a gasp as my hands find bare skin. “I believe that falls under the ‘working on our issues together’ clause.”

“Indeed.” I lift her, carrying her back toward our bedroom. “I think this particular issue requires immediate attention.”

“Who am I to argue with such sound business logic?” she says against my lips.

And as I lay her down on our bed, I realize that for the first time in my life, I’m not afraid of the future. With Ava by my side, Ava, my horizon line steady and true, I’ve finally found my way.

54

Epilogue

Ava

The exclusive preview night of “Transitions” is in full swing, my Chelsea gallery transformed into Manhattan’s hottest art destination.

At least for tonight.

Look at me, pretending I’m not still freaking out that all these important people showed up to see MY art. Keep it cool, Ava. You’re a professional now. A pregnant professional.

I absently rest my hand on the slight swell of my stomach, still hardly visible beneath my flowing navy dress. Five months along and our little secret is woven subtly into every piece in this collection. Curves and cycles, protection and growth, fear and hope. No one would notice unless they knew what to look for, but it’s there in every brushstroke.

The gallery smells of fresh paint and expensive perfume andpeople, a sheer heaping mass of them. The white wine I can’t drink looks painfully refreshing in everyone else’s glasses as it catches the gallery lights.

Across the room, Gideon commands attention without even trying. He’s discussing one of my largestpieces with the curator from MoMA.The actual freaking Museum of Modern Art.His hands move with uncharacteristic animation as he points out details in the composition. I catch fragments of his passionate explanation about my use of negative space and have to bite my lip to stop from grinning like an idiot, remembering my own explanation of negative space to Gideon the first time we met.

“I ran out of blue paint.” Classic.

Still, seeing that man talking about my art like it’s a masterpiece is almost sexier than when he’s naked. Almost.

“You’re glowing,” Lucy says, appearing beside me with two flutes of sparkling water. “And not just because you’re finally getting the recognition you deserve.”

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