Page 83 of Not Over You

In between hours of making love, we talked about what a future for Us Version 2.0 would look like.

Giana explained she’d quit her job, mainly because the rivalry with Margo mirrored her rivalry with Sofie—staying in that toxic environment would hit too close to home. Her heart was set on one day opening her own firm, selling homes like the ones in the Hamptons. Until then, the commission earned on the Victorian home I’d purchased would be enough for her to live on till she decided on her next steps. I wanted her to come live with me and Scarlett. I wanted forever.

As we lay there, I could tell by the slow rise and fall of her chest, she’d be drifting off to sleep soon. I reached into my bedside drawer and pulled out the black velvet Harry Winston box.

“Hey”—I gently shook her shoulder—“remember that ring I slipped on your finger in Barbados?”

She lifted her gaze to meet mine. “M-hmm.”

“You wanted to know the story behind it, remember?”

When she nodded, I explained that I’d borrowed money from my dad to purchase the ring back when we were in college.

I planned to ask her to marry me then, soon after graduation, but didn’t want her to feel like doing so would force her to choose between moving to California with me and her career goals.

Giana sat up, her full, exposed breast making my mouth water. “So, you wanted to marry me six years ago?”

“I wanted to marry you then and even more now.” I got to my feet and kneeled, naked ass and all. “Giana, baby, will you marry me?”

She squealed and covered her face with her hands, nodding her yes as if the word was lodged in her throat. Wiping tears, she held out her left hand, inviting me to slide the five-carat onto her finger.

When I did, she giggled out, “It’s about damn time.”

EPILOGUE

Giana

Three Months Later

“You’ve got a love note!” Scarlett barged into the room, note in her hand and a smile that made my heart giggle. “Daddy wants you to read it before it starts.”

I’ll admit, love notes from Reed Cortez, my hot-as-sin fiancé, still made my stomach flutter. “Okay, I’ll read it as soon as Noni and Stacy help me with my veil.”

“It’s so pretty, and you look like a Disney princess.”

“So do you,” I said, blowing her a kiss.

We’d grown close, her immediately taking space in my heart—the pea to my pod.

Reed and I discussed adopting a baby and were committed to do so after the three of us settled into our new life as a family. After selling my condo, I moved to the Hamptons into the Victorian house Reed had purchased. It felt like home when I first saw it, the same way Reed made me feel whenever he held me in his arms.

While Stacy stood behind me, pinning my veil into place, Noni fanned out the bottom of its train, which flowed longer than the wedding dress itself. It had been hers when she married my grandfather straight out of high school. Wearing it on my special day felt like an honor.

“Read it! Read it!” Scarlett chanted in delight, dancing around in circles as she’d done the first time we’d met.

Opening the note, a smile curved my lips.

Gigi,

In just a few short minutes, you and I will finally have our chance to walk down the aisle.

I’ve dreamed of this day since we met.

I know it seems silly because who really believes in love at first sight, right?

That night I saved you from falling into the pool, I knew I wanted to be your hero for life.

As we get closer to a new chapter together, this is just a note to tell you how much I love you.

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