Page 85 of Filthy Little Midlife Fling

“Took a trip down to Santa Rosa,” he explains. “Got your money back.”

I turn to the gleaming white van with the Organizing Goddess logo proudly branded on the side. “You bought me a van?”

“Well, I used the money you paid for the original van, and I figured I could convince you to let me use your old one for parts. Works out in my favor, really.”

“Remy. Stop it. You did this for me even though I messed up so badly?”

Remy’s smile fades slightly. He reaches up to tuck a strand of hair behind my ear, shaking his head. “Audrey, you need to forgive yourself for not picking Danny up that day. I have.”

Tears fill my eyes. “You’re too good for me, Remy.”

That makes him grin. “No. I just understand that we all need someone to lean on once in a while. I want to be that man for you, Audrey.”

Wrapping my arms around his neck, I pull Remy down for a kiss. As his lips crush mine and his arms curl around my body, I finally, finally feel like I’ve found a home. Avocado toilets not included.

Pulling away, I glance at the van. “How did you get my money back without returning the old van?”

“You know that scene in Goodfellas when Joe Pesci flips on a dime and makes the ‘Funny, how? Funny like I amuse you?’ speech to Ray Liotta? I just literally quoted the movie to the guy when he tried to laugh me out of his auto shop.”

Giggling, I shake my head. “You didn’t.”

“I make a good mobster, apparently.”

Laughter bursts out of me. I lean against Remy, falling a little more in love with him with every second I spend with him. “Thank you,” I finally manage between giggles. “I love it.”

“Good,” he says, squeezing me tight. “Because I love you.”

Tilting my head up, I accept his kiss. “Love you too, Remy.”

EPILOGUE

AUDREY

Exactly one year to the day after I crashed into Remy’s tree, I walk down the aisle carrying a bouquet of magnolias. My dress is the same white as the flowers, sleeveless, with a subtle trumpet shape. When I meet Remy’s gaze as he waits by the altar, the rest of the world falls away.

Laurel, my maid of honor, takes the bouquet from me and stands to the side while I slip my hands into Remy’s. When it comes time for the rings, Danny presents them to us with a wide smile on his face.

And not long after that, we are pronounced husband and wife. Kissing Remy after tying the knot is one of the happiest moments of my life.

After my divorce, I didn’t think I’d marry again. I thought love was for other people and that companionship was out of reach. Now, I can’t imagine my life any other way.

I’ll take Remy’s name and finally shed the last of my identity as Terry’s wife. I’d considered going back to my maiden name, but it seemed like a lot of paperwork for little benefit. Now, the benefit is moving on completely from the mistakes I made in the past.

Two months ago, I moved in with Remy and Danny full-time. My home is currently empty, but we have plans to rent it out in the coming months. For now, it’s a nice refuge where I can return when I sense that Danny and Remy need some alone time.

It’s a big adjustment, but the three of us are adapting. Danny, especially, seems to be thriving. That may or may not have to do with the number of brownies and pies he somehow convinces me to bake for him.

At work, I’ve hired a bright young woman to replace Meg, and she’s taken to the job faster than I could have hoped. And about a month after Remy bought the garage, I ran into Meg at Four Cups and mentioned that Remy was looking for someone to take care of the office for two or three days a week. She’s been the perfect addition to his team, and she’s especially enjoying the flexibility of the role now that she’s expecting a new addition to her family.

Every week, I get a little better at delegating. It helps to have Remy there to motivate me to clear my schedule when he makes promises that are dark and dirty. Crashing into his tree was the best thing I ever did for my business—and my life. That’s a thought that makes me smile as I wrap my arms around my new husband and celebrate our union.

After our wedding reception, Danny heads to Jace’s house for a sleepover, and Remy and I go home.

“Still happy we didn’t rent the honeymoon suite?” Remy asks, unlocking the front door.

“This is my honeymoon suite,” I tell him, kicking my heels off. “There’s nowhere else I’d rather be.”

His smile is pure, quiet joy. We wrap our arms around each other, and then we make love. My wedding night is beautiful, and it’s not until Remy is asleep beside me, the moonlight carving shadows on his body, that I take stock of what just happened.

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