Page 79 of The Temptation
“I like the navy pinstripe,” I said, and he grabbed it immediately, making me smile.
We got dressed together, and I knew there was no better time to tackle it than while we were thoroughly immersed in domestic bliss.
“Since I’m here, I take it that the meeting with Sawyer went well,” I prompted.
Pierce grunted and for a breath, I was afraid that was all he would say, but he continued in his thoughtful way. “I think my talk with Sebastian, Declan, and Rome was more productive. They said the same thing you did—Sawyer never should have said what he did, that he was being irrational, that he would have apologized after he calmed down. In the end, he and I were both robbed of the chance to clear the air. But I’m glad we went to the graveyard to see him. It gave me a chance to make him a new promise.”
Pierce stopped in the middle of buttoning up his shirt and walked to me, his fingers lightly brushing along my cheek. His expression was so gentle and loving. I knew I would happily spend a lifetime getting lost in that look.
“I forgave him for what he said that day, and I promised him that I would always work hard to protect his brother. ThatI would love you with all my heart and soul. No one will ever be able to take better care of you. He wanted that for you, and I swear to always be worthy of that trust.”
I turned my face into his hand and pressed a kiss against the palm, squeezing my burning eyes shut to hold in my tears. “And I promise to always love you and take care of you. Plus, I will make sure that you don’t take life too seriously and make you laugh every chance I get.”
“Do you forgive him?”
My heart skipped a beat at his question. I blinked my eyes open and lifted my face from his palm as I stared at Pierce, but my brain was busy searching the depths of my heart.
Do I forgive Sawyer?
“I do. Part of me is still pissed at him for hurting you and hurting me, but I know that wasn’t what he intended. He was worried about me and wanted to protect me. He was always worried about me. Sometimes his fear drove him to do stupid things, like hurt his best friend, but if you can forgive him, so can I.”
Pierce’s entire body seemed to relax, releasing the last bit of tension still humming through him. I got it. He wanted nothing to come between me and my brother, especially some old argument between my new boyfriend and my annoying brother.
“Now, go be brilliant,” Pierce ordered, stealing one final kiss.
“See you after the show?”
“Of course. I’ll always be there for you.”
My heart soared, and I laughed. Pierce was my everything, and I was his. Nothing was going to stop us. The world was ours.
EPILOGUE
SIMON MILLER
Pierce turnedthe car into Declan’s driveway, and the butterflies in my stomach broke free of their cocoons. They fluttered about despite my attempts to pack them away again.
“I’m nervous,” I admitted, twisting my fingers together in my lap.
Pierce’s laughter filled the car, and the butterflies finally took a sedative. “What do you mean you’re nervous? The only new people who are going to be at the party are Parker’s family, and if they’re anything like Parker, you know you’re going to get along with them just fine.”
“I know, but this time is different. We’re arrivingtogether, as acouple. How aren’t you nervous?”
As Pierce slowed the car and stopped it in a free spot near the house, he lifted his chin a bit and smirked. “Because I can’t wait to step out as your official,realboyfriend. No more of this fake nonsense.”
“Even if I was the best fake boyfriend in existence.”
“It’s true. You were very convincing. I’m sure my parents thought I was going to pop the question at any minute.”
I fell into my door, laughing at his idiocy. Not a fucking chance.
I was excited to step out as Pierce’s official boyfriend, but it came with a strange side of nerves that I couldn’t quite understand. Probably because part of me was still expecting to wake up from this wonderful dream and find that Pierce still despised me.
Pierce had proclaimed that February twentieth was the first day of our dating relationship and it would be the day to mark our anniversary. However, I’d had a performance last night, so there hadn’t really been time to do anything special, and today we were attending Parker and Joy’s joint birthday party before I had to leave for another performance this evening. Pierce and I wouldn’t have a day to ourselves until tomorrow. Then, I was prepared to make the argument that we should spend the day in bed.
Not that I minded hanging out with our friends or celebrating Parker’s and Joy’s birthdays.
After turning off the car, Pierce leaned across the center console and kissed me sweetly. “Everything is going to be perfect. I promise.”
