EPILOGUE
“Damn.”
The bridesmaid next to her swore as Harper gripped the bouquet with both hands; then with a triumphant squeal she fist-pumped it in the air, her eyes landing on Sterling.
He gave her a wink as his dove-gray suit highlighted the steel color of his irises, sending shivers up her back and making her want to leave the wedding reception early.
Except it was her brother’s wedding. Someone would notice if she was gone.
Damn it.
Sterling sauntered over to her, his limp giving him a sexy swagger that he didn’t even realize. “That’s my girl.” He studied the bouquet, offering his hand in a high five.
“Skills,” Harper said.
“You know what this means, right?” Sterling asked, studying the flowers and then glancing up to meet her eyes.
“It means I win,” she deliberately taunted, knowing what he was getting at, but wanting to play.
“It means that you’re next,” Sterling corrected, his hand slowly caressing her waist as he drew her in close.
“If you’re lucky.” She gave a daring grin.
It had been an amazing two weeks, a time of healing, growth, and a lot of hard realizations.
Sterling had started working on one of Cyler’s construction crews, and had signed up with a local therapy group that helped people deal with opioid addiction.
It had been a difficult decision, but Harper had signed up as well.
As the music played over the speakers, Sterling tugged on her hand, drawing her attention back to the present. “Have I told you how stunning you look in that purple dress?” he crooned as he murmured the words in her ear.
Shivers of pleasure danced up her spine. “A few times. And technically, it’s lavender.”
“All I’m doing is imagining all the ways I can take it off.”
Harper pulled back, meeting his scorching gaze. “It’s one of those dresses that require nothing underneath.”
Sterling groaned, pressing his head against hers as they swayed side to side with the music. “Killing me here.”
“Good.”
Sterling chuckled, the sound echoing of freedom. “I love you, Harper Matthews.”
“I love you, Sterling Garlington,” Harper echoed, the words resonating deep in her soul.
Sterling twirled her then glanced over her shoulder, grinning. “Follow me.” He took her hand and led her outside of the white tent that held Jasper and Kessed’s reception party.
The fall air was crisp, and the stars scattered across the night sky as Sterling led her just far enough away for the music to be softly playing in the background, the sounds of the party fading.
“So, I’ve been thinking.” He frowned slightly, caressing her fingers with his while he spoke. “There’s something that’s just not quite right.”
Old insecurities tickled her mind before she pushed them away. Finding her center, her strength, she studied Sterling, trusting his love.
He’d fought for it.
He’d fought for her.
He wasn’t going to stop doing that.
So, she waited.
“Your name...it’s missing something.” His gray eyes were almost silver in the moonlight, the fierceness in his expression powerful, stealing her breath. “I just think it would sound so much better if your first name had my last name behind it.”
Something cool pressed into her hand, and she glanced down, her gaze flickering over to Sterling as he knelt on one knee.
“There is nothing or no one in this world that I love more than you, Harper Matthews. You’ve seen me at my worst, and you’ve loved me when I didn’t deserve even your pity. Every day I wake up thinking about you, and every night your name is a prayer on my lips. I don’t deserve you, but I swear I’ll love you, think of you first, give my life for you if that’s what it takes, because I love you unconditionally, without reservation, and more than I could ever say. Please, marry me?”
Harper’s heart pounded with each syllable from his lips. The sincerity in his eyes even more powerful than his words. This man, who had fought for every inch of his life, who was strong enough to admit when he was weak, who was willing to declare when he was wrong, who loved her more than she’d ever been loved, wanted her.
Needed her.
Just like she needed him.
Like air.
“Yes, Captain, my captain.”
Sterling’s response was immediate and enthusiastic as he rose and met her lips, kissing her deeply, joyfully, with utter abandon as the flavor of the passion was salted with her tears of joy.
He rested his head against hers. “Thank you.”
Giggling softly, she sniffed and brushed a tear away from her jaw. “So wasn’t expecting this tonight.”
“I like to catch you off guard,” Sterling teased then took the box from her hand and opened it, showing her the ring that would circle her finger.
An emerald-cut diamond was seated in white gold, and he plucked it gently from the velvet case and slid it on her finger.
At her questioning gaze, he shrugged. “Kessed measured for me.”
“So that was why she wanted me to try on her ring!” Harper said, surprised.
Earlier that week Kessed had asked her to put on her engagement ring, saying she wanted to see what it would look like on stage. So she had her back up and wave her finger around. It had been utterly ridiculous, but Harper had played along, thinking it was some weird wedding quirk of Kessed’s.
Now it made sense.
The sneak.
That meant that Jasper had known too!
“Jasper?” Harper asked.
Sterling gave her a wry expression. “Asked permission first. I figured he’d shoot first and ask questions later if I didn’t.”
“Wise move.”
“I’m learning.”
“Wow.” Harper grinned, her face aching from the extent of her smile.
“We should probably go tell Kessed and Jasper. They’re waiting.” Sterling tugged on her hand, caressing the ringed finger softly and lingering over the beautiful stone.
“Kessed won’t mind since it’s her wedding?” Harper asked, concerned.
Sterling kissed her nose. “Honey, she was thrilled to have a front row seat.”
Harper rose on her tiptoes, kissing him lightly on the lips, savoring the man that was hers, forever.
“I love you.”
Sterling squeezed her hand tightly as they started back toward the reception tent.
“I love you more.”