Page 149 of Gabriel's Album

I give her a rueful smile as I let her go. She dishes up our breakfast, and while we eat, she continues our discussion.

“So, does this mean you want me to be your girlfriend again?”

Even hearing her ask this question is enough to set my soul on fire. I’ve never been happier in my life, but I know that I don’t give a shit what her title is, as long as she’s with me.

“If that’s what you want, then yes. If you don’t want to be my girlfriend, that’s fine, too. I want you however I can get you, Ari.”

She takes a deep breath before smiling at me and saying, “I’m all in, Gabe.”

“All in? Really?” I grin back at her.

“Yeah, I would love nothing more than to be your girlfriend…officially.”

I don’t know exactly what ‘officially’ means, but I officially give precisely zero shits about whether the world knows about her or not.

“Oh god, Ari, I love you so much. Thank you!”

I pull her off the breakfast stool and twirl her around my living room area. She throws back her head and laughs. I could never have imagined that there would be a day when Ariana would be with me again, but she is, and I will never let her go.

Epilogue

The limoin front of ours pulls up to the red carpet, and its occupants get out.

“Are you ready for this?” I ask Ariana.

“Ready as I’ll ever be,” she tells me.

I kiss her, being careful not to smudge her makeup. She looks stunning all dolled up for the party tonight, of course, but she looks beautiful even if she’s at home in sweats and with her hair a mess.

It’s been two weeks since we got back together, and I’m in a constant state of pure bliss. The media has been going bananas because Elena’s been photographed kissing other men, but I don’t care what they think or say about me because I have Ariana now.

“I love you, Ariana Chamberlain. I will always be the most grateful man in the world because I have you in my life.”

“I love you, too, Gabriel Knight…and vice versa.”

We both laugh as our limo moves forward to take its place in line with the red carpet. The driver gets out and opens our door. I get out of the car, then turn and hold my hand out to her just like I did the day of the Grammys.

“Are you coming, Ari?” I ask.

For a moment, a shock of fear runs through me that she might say no again.

My fears are completely unfounded, though, because she smiles at me and answers in a sure voice, “Of course.”

I can hear the paparazzi calling my name already as she takes my hand and steps out of the car. Roughly a million flashes of light go off the second that she appears, and I’m sure we’ll face more than a few questions from the media in a few seconds; my friends will have even more in store for us once we get inside.

Whatever happens, we’ll have each other. Ariana Chamberlain is officially my girlfriend.

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