Page 112 of Cruel Proposal
"Which is why I'm worried."
He kisses my forehead. "I never thought I was going to live this long, so what's the point in worrying about what might happen? As far as I'm concerned, I'm already on borrowed time, and I plan on spending every moment of it with you."
"Not borrowed time. We're going to have a long and happy life together." I cup his face in my hands, pulling him down for another kiss.
As we hold each other, waiting for the moving truck, I can feel the truth of what I said all the way down to my bones.
And maybe, if we're lucky, one day Noah and my family might be able to be in the same room without killing each other.
But for now, I'm going to live in the moment and enjoy my life with the man I love.
EPILOGUE - SUMMER
Two Years Later
I take a deep breath, hands shaking as I hand Noah my graduation cap. "I need you to tell me that everything is going to be fine and that I'm not going to throw up while walking across the stage."
He chuckles and nestles the hat on top of my curls, carefully moving the tassel to the correct side. "Everything is going to be fine. You look beautiful, and you worked hard for this. You're going to walk across that stage, shake too many hands, and you're not going to trip once."
I swallow hard, hands fluttering at my sides as I try to calm down. "I might projectile vomit all over them. I'm going to be standing in the middle of the stage, and then I'm going to look out at everyone, and then I'm going to throw up. And then when I start my first year at the firm, everyone is going to look at me and be like, 'Hey, that's the girl that threw up on everyone,' and then my life will be over."
Noah chuckles and grabs the gown, helping me into it. He drapes sashes and cords around my neck with ease. "It'd have to be apretty powerful vomit to coat everyone in the stadium. I don't think you're going to manage that."
"Is that supposed to be helpful?" I snort before taking a deep breath and squeezing my eyes shut.
His thumb brushes against my cheek, his lips ghosting over mine even though my eyes are still closed. "It wasn't. Not really. You worked hard for this. You deserve it, and I know you're terrified about walking across the stage, but you're going to do great."
I open my eyes and nod, letting out a slow breath. "You're right. I did work hard for this for far too long, and now that it's done, I don't know what to do with myself."
"You already passed the bar exam, and you have a job lined up. I'm so fucking proud of you, love." Noah pulls me into him, careful not to tousle my hair too much, thankfully.
I step back, putting my hands on my hips and eyeing him. "Who are you, and what have you done with Noah? Noah never says sappy shit like that."
"Well, you're about to walk into that room and join the rest of your graduating class, so it's not like I can tell you I want to bend you over the reception desk and fuck you until you get out of your own head."
People shoot us dirty looks as they walk past, but some people bend their heads close together, giggling and whispering.
My cheeks feel like they're on fire as I shake my head, glancing at the door that leads to the stage that's been set up in the stadium.
"I have to go, and you're going to need to behave. No fighting with my family. This is the first time all of you will be around each other since we left New York, and I need to know thateverything is going to be fine and that I'm not going to have to worry about it all."
Noah takes my chin between his fingers, pulling my face to his for a kiss. "Nothing is going to happen. We're all adults, and we can get along."
"And most of the children are going to be there too. I mean, I know you see your sisters and Ezra a lot, and the kids that come with them, but Aiden and Royce are going to be there, and I'm pretty sure Sean still hates you. And then there's Skyla, and Ellie has the new babies, and?—"
Noah's lips meet mine again. "And you're worrying too much. I love you, and I'm not going to do anything that's going to upset your family. Not a chance. Even if I still don't like Aiden, we both want the best for you."
"How many times do I have?—"
"To tell you that you and Aiden don't get to talk about what's best for me?" he mocks, his voice raising to a higher pitch before he starts laughing.
I laugh with him, leaning into him for a moment, my arms wrapping around his waist. "I love you too, and if you cause problems for me, I won't hesitate to put you six feet under."
His lips brush against my ear. "I love it when you talk dirty to me."
My cheeks are on fire as I take a step back from him. "I have to go now, and you need to keep it in your pants."
"Impossible when it comes to you."
