I looked down at our fingers intertwined and resting on Earl’s lap. It was such a natural thing now. I couldn’t imagine a day going by without him at my side. He caught me looking and winked, a sly smile crossing his lips as he leaned down and kissed my cheek .

“Have I told you how good you look today?” he whispered .

I blushed instantly, my core quickening at the seductive tone of his voice. “A woman never gets tired of being told she looks good .”

“Well in that case, I hope you remember where you bought that dress because you’ll need a replacement .”

“Oh?” I whispered breathlessly .

“I’m going to rip it off you the second we get home,” he said in a deep voice .

I closed my eyes, trying to focus on what the announcer was saying. My heart was beating so hard though that I could barely hear the mundane voice. The last year had been life-changing and I didn’t have a single complaint. Life with Earl was a roller coaster of passionate nights, invigorating days, and a never-ending love between us both. Still, in the chaos of my sister’s graduation we hadn’t had sex in almost two days. The sexual tension was on the rise like a wildfire .

“We can leave right after this,” I whispered. “The apartment on Fifth is still empty for two days. Make a pit stop before her graduation dinner ?”

“Woman,” he said affectionately. “I like the way you think. Can we go yet ?”

I smacked him playfully. “Hush. Look, there she is !”

I jumped up and waved Selina over to us. She ran over and I couldn’t help but give her a tight hug. I couldn’t believe that she had graduated. I was so proud of the woman she was becoming. Everything in my life had changed for the better, but she had been dealt a couple of hard blows. Especially after finding out the truth about our mother. I frowned thinking about Opal. Before I could cover it up with another smile, Selina saw me and soon had the same look .

“I take it no one has heard from her?” she spat out .

I shook my head. “Not since leaving that voicemail .”

Selina rolled her eyes. “Good, let her stay in Cabo with her pool boy. I don’t want that kind of negativity in my life anyways .”

“That’s the spirit,” I told her, trying to lighten the mood. “I can’t believe you are leaving for Paris tomorrow. That is still so crazy .”

A broad smile appeared on her face. “I know, right? I can’t believe it’s really happening. I will be living over there and working there rent free for the next year. I still can’t believe you set this up !”

I raised my hands. “It wasn’t me. It was all Earl. He made a few phone calls and that was it .”

She smiled at Earl and hugged him. “Well thanks to both of you then. This is a once in a lifetime opportunity. I promise I won’t let either of you down .”

“It’s not possible,” I told her .

“And what about you? Wasn’t yesterday your last day of work ?”

I rolled my eyes and she laughed. “I am still going to be working .”

“I don’t think it’s really work if you are the boss,” she played. “Still, heading up your very own charity foundation. That’s insane !”

“I know,” I said, too excited to hold back. “And the great thing about the organization is that it’s not just one group. We are going to be able to help everyone from abused women to homeless teens. Heck, I even found a local dog shelter I think we might help sponsor !”

“I’m so happy that you found something you love. You really deserve that, Tabitha,” she said, a tear glistening in her eye. She cleared her throat and quickly regained her composure. “Well I don’t know about you two, but I could use a stiff drink !”

I glanced at Earl and saw the look of a sad puppy starting to appear. “Actually, would you mind if we just met you and the girls at dinner in an hour or so? There were a couple more things I needed to finish up down at the office .”

“Sure! That will give me time to change and do a few shots first,” she said .

I saw her friends trying to get her attention from the corner of my eye and started to laugh. “You better get over there or we’ll have a riot .”

Selina smiled and hugged us both one more time. “See you soon !”

I watched her run toward her friends and I couldn’t help but feel an overwhelming sense of pride. Despite everything, Selina was turning out to be an amazing person. I would have to go and see her in Paris after she got settled in. Earl squeezed my hand and I looked up at him, the playful glint returning. In an instant, all the plans for our future were put on hold. I knew what he wanted because I wanted it too .

“Ready?” I asked him .

He pulled me in close, my body heat rising as I felt his growing bulge press against my dress. He leaned down, his lips against my ear. “I was ready the day I met you, baby,” he whispered. “There will never be anyone else for me. I will worship you for the rest of my life .”

I sucked in a breath and tried to compose myself. Looking up at him, I saw the raw desire in his eyes, but I could see so much more beyond that. There was a love and kindness unlike any man I’d ever met. He saw me falter and instantly softened .

“Is everything okay?” he asked, concern replacing desire .

I nodded. “Everything is perfect. I was just thinking about how much I love you .”

He grinned and took my hand into his. Kissing it softly he gazed into my eyes. “I love you too .”

I’d finally found my happy ending .

* * *