Page 107 of Love Me Tender

Epilogue

Three weeks later

“We’ve received support from four of the largest tech companies already but, of course, we want to have the structure in place before launching,” Joanna continued in the voicemail message on Rory’s phone. “I’ll be speaking at the Future of IT conference next month, and I hope you can be there as well. If we’re ready to go public by then, that would be an excellent place to announce the creation of the Women in Technology Foundation. I’d like for you to be a board member in charge of the mentorship program, which you can handle from Bliss Cove. Edward is working on establishing the scholarships for young women seeking careers in IT, and he also wants you to be on the scholarship committee, but no pressure. We know you’re busy with your own project. We’ll talk about it when you and Grant come up for dinner next week. See you soon!”

With a chuckle of admiration, Rory set her phone down and returned her attention to her computer.

Shortly after the Digicore shockwave, Joanna and Edward—as the acknowledged pioneers of inclusion and diversity at Intellix—had challenged other tech companies to take viable action rather than issue statements about “new strategies.” Joanna then announced her intention to create a foundation in support of women in technology, which was already off to a sprinting start, thanks to her considerable influence and widespread network.

Edward had been surprisingly enthusiastic about Grant’s support of Rory’s software design project and had offered his input and resources “if ever needed.” In the two weeks that Rory had been back in Bliss Cove, she’d started consulting in-depth with Hunter and Studio Twenty-Five to make plans for designing the restoration/development software.

Grant converted the Mousehole cottage into an office for her, complete with a computer desk and a high-end, ergonomic chair; a reading nook, high-speed internet, and a supply of gummy candies, Twizzlers, and Sour Patch Kids. They fell easily into the life they’d established so briefly all those weeks ago, a perfect balance of the work they loved and the joy of being together.

One early morning in mid-December, they went for a run along the beach, where seagulls swooped overhead and sandpipers pecked at the shore. A newspaper-gray marine layer coated the sky, and whitecaps rolled over the ocean’s surface.

Rory loved their morning jogs—the steady, rhythmic movement of Grant beside her, the sound of their breath mixing with the ocean’s murmurs; the cold, salty wind. They ran along Pelican Beach toward the deserted boardwalk. After climbing the steps, they finished their jog near the Ferris wheel.

“Good one.” Grant patted her rear as they slowed to catch their breath.

“We deserve pie after that.” Rory bent to press her hands against her knees, her chest heaving. “Speaking of which, I still haven’t had your famous apple pie.”

“I’ll make you one this afternoon. Apple pie for the apple of my eye.”

“Says the owner of Button the Kitten.” Rory grinned and straightened. “I think she’s getting used to me. She didn’t hiss when I walked past her yesterday.”

“I’ll have another talk with her.” He lifted his arms for a stretch, and Rory unabashedly admired the way his biceps flexed and his shirt pulled over his muscular chest. The ocean wind pushed his thick hair away from his forehead, bringing into sharp relief his warm green eyes and the strong, masculine lines of his face.

Every time she looked at him, her heart gave a happy little jump at the reminder that he was no longer over there, butright here. That they were here together.

“Come on.” He nodded toward wooden railing bordering the pier. “Let’s walk.”

As they continued walking to the end of the pier, anxiety tightened her belly. She and Grant professed their love every chance they got and multiple times a day in many different ways. Sometimes it was a quick, parting kiss and a “love you,” and other times it was a deep, profound confession as they looked into each other’s eyes and found themselves reflected there.

More often, it was in little gestures and flippant remarks—his brief kiss on her forehead, her spontaneous purchase of a cookbook she thought he’d like, the way he brought her black coffee with two spoons of sugar every single morning, her reminder to “think of me when you play the fish” as Grant left for the Mousehole.

No, Rory was never in any doubt about Grant’s intense love for her, and she woke every day with the unbreakable knowledge that she wanted to be with him always.

He wasn’t justThe One. He was all the numbers put together. He was infinity.

So, why was she nervous? It wasn’t as if he’d break up with her if the timing wasn’t right. They’d talk it out and come up with a plan, and—

Rory shook her head to banish the worrisome thoughts. She’d been brave enough to shake up the entire tech industry. Surely she could dothiswithout her knees trembling.

She and Grant paused by the railing. Seagulls soared across the gray sky. A cluster of sea lions lolled on a rock out in the bay.

Now. Do it now.

Taking a deep breath, Rory turned to face him. “Grant.”

He glanced at her, his eyes crinkling with a smile. He did that a lot—smiled when he looked at her. In that moment, Rory’s heart became a galaxy of stars.

“So, we…” She swallowed past another surge of anxiety. “Even though we’ve officially been together for a couple of months, we’ve really known each other for two years. I told you I’ve loved you for longer than I even know, and in some ways I wish we’d crossed the line sooner so we’d have had more time together, but I’m also so grateful that everything unfolded the way it did because it all led us toright here.”

Faint wariness rose to his eyes. Rory curled her hand around the old railing and forced herself to continue.

“I mean, I’d never really imagined myself being with one person for the rest of my life…not being a believer in fairy tales and all…but every minute with you is so perfect that now I can’t imagine being alone again.”

Oh my god, Rory, stop rambling and get on with it.

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