Page 59 of Summer's Edge

“You remembered I said that.”

“What you promised,” I correct her. “And you delivered.”

She kisses me so softly it’s like the tiniest breeze against my lips. But it feels like a hurricane in my chest. Only this one isn’t the destroying kind. It’s putting everything right again, making things that were wrong for so long fall back into their proper place.

I kiss her back, harder and deeper. Because it’s time to make one of those dreams that’ll be our lives going forward come true. The first of millions.

EPILOGUE

Three Months Later

Edge

My bedroom at the Devil’s Nightmare MC clubhouse is barely big enough for a twin bed, a dresser and a small table and chair. It’s now completely empty of the belongings that I’ve amassed in the last decade, and it still looks tiny.

I say one last silent goodbye to the room that’s been my home since I lost my family at eighteen then slam the door shut. And almost run smack into Ruin grinning at me widely.

“I still can’t believe you’re leaving to move in with a woman,” he says. “Never thought I’d see the day.”

“Yeah, me neither,” I say and grin too.

It’s the absolute truth.

Back before Summer, if anyone had asked me whether I’d ever settle down and start a family of my own, I’d have laughed in their face and vowed it would never happen. I’d be completely sure of it too.

But then last night, Summer asked me if I wanted to make the move to her apartment permanent. I’d been spending all my free time there for the past month anyway, ever since Ruin and I successfully carried out the mission Cross set us. All the sneaking around and pretending I can’t be with her only made me need her more. Love her more. Which even last night I didn’t even think was possible.

Now here I am, less than twelve hours later, all my belongings packed, ready to take her up on the offer. For better or worse. It’ll befor better.

“When you know, you know, huh?” Ruin asks as he walks with me down the stairs.

He sounds serious like it’s not just a throwaway sort of line for him.

“So what’s going on with you and Ariel?” I ask, sensing we’re no longer talking about me and Summer.

He shrugs and holds the back door open for me.

“I guess you could say we both know, but it’s somehow not enough.”

I’m no good at giving advice of this sort. Used to be I had a different girl in my bed every month. And if any of them happened toknowsomething about where our relationship was going, I’d make sure she wasn’t back by the next night.

But it’s different now.

“Man, you just gotta take out all the stops,” I say. “If you want her, take her. Give her what she needs and wants.”

He looks at me like he’s seeing me for the first time.

“I’m serious,” I say. “Life’s too short for wishing and waiting.”

I attach my saddle bags to my bike, fully ready to go put an end to my own wishing and waiting to be with Summer again. Even though it’s only been a few short hours since I saw her last, it’s still somehow too much to bear.

“Dude, love’s really changed you,” he says, sounding at once awed and like he’s trying to change the subject.

“Summer’s changed me,” I say. “Like she promised she would.”

Back at the cabin, when I was still stupidly insisting I couldn’t be with her because of Ice. But I was a different man then. She deserved better thanthatman. Now I’m gonna do everything to be the man she deserves. From now until forever.

He shakes his head. “Go, before I barf from all this sweet talk.”

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