Page 15 of Stella’s Manster

No one has ever done something like this for me before. Ace is professing his love for me in a way that I will never forget. His words are true. His love is obvious. I should have never doubted him.

After a moment, I wipe my tears and confess. “I’m so sorry, Ace. I never gave you a chance. Part of me wanted to love you immediately, but the other part was scared. I didn’t want to experience another heartache in my life. So when I thought you were going back on your word, I shut you out. I shouldn’t have pushed you away like that,” I tell him as I close the distance between us, placing my free hand on his arm. I smile down at the puppy as it tries to lick my face. “I love this puppy, but I’min lovewith you.”

A smile spreads wide across Ace’s face. “Come here.”

I lean forward and kiss Ace sweetly, with the pup resting against our hearts between us.

“I can’t believe you did this,” I say, blinking back my tears.

Finally, I have my dog and the man of my dreams. It’s a dream come true.

“You said you always wanted one,” Ace replies, moving to my side to wrap his arm around me. “What are you going to name him?”

“Hmm. I think I’m going to call him Robin,” I say with a soft laugh. “That way I can have my Batman and Robin.”

Ace kisses me on the temple. “That’s perfect,” he chuckles. “Just like you.”

Before Ace, I felt so lonely, so dismissed and overlooked by others. Now, I don’t feel an ounce of that.

I blush, shaking my head at him. “You certainly have a way with words.”

“Being a lawyer, I like to think so,” Ace replies.

You are a damn good lawyer. You owned that courtroom. You knew exactly what moves to make and what questions to ask. Somehow, I’ve landed my dream man. Who knew we’d meet at a Halloween party?

“Thank you for everything,” I say as I gaze deeply into his piercing blue eyes. “I hope you know how grateful I am. Not only for you helping out my brother but also for making me feel so happy and loved. You’ve made my black and white world have color again.”

Ace kisses me on the temple. “Don’t thank me,” Ace replies as he shakes his head. His hold on me is protective. “I just want you by my side.”

“I can assure you; I’m not going anywhere.”

By his side is right where I belong. I press my lips against his, breaking away with a laugh when I feel Robin’s slobbery tongue against my cheek. Snuggling the puppy close, me and Robin lean into Ace’s embrace. This moment is perfect and I can’t wait to see what else is in store for us.

Epilogue: One Year Later - Ace

This is the first time in my life I’m throwing a Halloween party of my own, and it’s going to be one to remember. I have the best surprise planned, and Stella has no idea what’s coming.

This last year with Stella and adorable Robin, has been the best year of my life. We moved in together and never looked back. Work has been great and all, but it’s Stella who brings me more happiness than my job ever could. She’s my sunrise and my sunset, the beginning, and end of my day. There’s no one else that I want to spend my life with.

I’m sure of that.

Walking through the crowd of costumed people dancing in our living room, I make my way toward the living room.

It’s almost time.

I’ve fallen so deeply in love with Stella, it’s unreal. I never knew what love truly was until Stella entered my life. I love our little family together with Robin, who happens to be the most spoiled puppy on the planet. There’s only one way to make my life any better than it is right now.

“Where is she?” I ask Darren who’s standing by the punch table.

“Kitchen. Should I grab her now?” Darren asks.

Darren’s been my accomplice for this plan since the moment I knew I wanted to do this. Ever since he opened Stella’s door on the night I came to apologize, Darren and I have been able to talk through the situation and move past any tension. Plus, he’s glad to see his sister so happy.

“Let’s do this,” I reply with a grin.

For the first time in a long time, I’m a bit nervous but it’s a good kind of nervousness. I’ve been wanting to do this since the moment I picked her up off that floor and finally, the moment is here.

I get to ask Stella to spend forever with me.

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