Epilogue
Ava
A single tear rolls down my cheek as I watch the blonde newscaster report the sentencing of the woman who was once my best friend. After the stressful details of the case, I thought for sure every drop of emotion I had left for Petra had faded. After all, it was me who insisted Logan pursue the charges against her when he was struck with guilt once Rodrick confirmed her motive.
Logan’s parents were arrogant pricks. That wasn’t up for debate. But Logan didn’t deserve to be punished for their behavior. Besides, he was a child when it all happened. Since the brooch was recovered by the police, and Petra remorsefully returned the money, Logan wanted to let it all go. I wasn’t okay with that, because deep in my heart I felt that if Petra wasn’t punished, she would only continue down her destructive path of using people.
The suspect, Petra Morgan, a thirty-year-old self-employed professional, has agreed to the terms submitted by Bennett, Scholtz & Leinett on behalf of billionaire investor, Logan Draper. In accordance with their deal, Ms. Morgan will serve one year of probation in addition to completing four-hundred hours of community service.
My eyes are glued to the broadcaster, who unlike me can read the details of the case without any emotional attachment. A breath escapes me, one I’ve been holding for a while now, and a rush of relief floods through me. Hope replaces the despair, and I believe for the first time that this can all one day become a distant memory.
There was nothing else I needed to know, and nothing more to say. My friendship with Petra is officially history, and the tear still stuck on my cheek is nothing more than a celebration of reaching the finish line.
“This isn’t about her. This is your day, Ava,” my make-up artist for the day Cate smiles, turning off the TV before tilting my head upwards with her pointer finger, while reaching over to her extensive array of make-up pallets.
“We’ll do a little bronze like we talked about, but not too much,” she mumbles, more to herself than me.
“That’s fine,” I smile, happy to be in the final stages of preparation.
After spending two hours on my hair and nails, and another hour getting dressed, I’m ready for the glam portion of this day to be over. I have so many more important things to do, and most pressing is reuniting with Logan. Last night was the first time we’ve slept in separate beds since he swept me away from the home I used to share with Petra.
Logan and I left to enjoy six days in Paris, although most of our time was spent in our hotel suite, or the bedroom of our hotel suite, to be more specific. They don’t call it the most romantic city in the world without good cause, that’s for sure, and we did our best to embrace the sexiness that flows through everything French.
Now I had major decisions to make. After what felt like a lifetime hiatus, I knew I needed to get back to work, but my heart didn’t seem thrilled to return to life coaching. There were other passions calling to me, and as scary as it was to imagine a new life for myself, a part of me thought it was just what I needed.
A big change would give me the opportunity to reinvent myself, and after the whirlwind I’d been through, that felt necessary. After much debate, Logan forced me to accept what I initially thought to be a disrespectful joke – two years of the joint revenue from both Petra and me at our life coaching partnership. She had cashed the check for revenge, but Logan always wanted me to have it.
Now, it was the seed money for my new venture. At least that’s what Logan called it. I’d spent countless hours trying to decide what I wanted to do with it, but the more I considered, the less sure I was about anything.
“You’re all done.” Cate beams, stepping back to admire my face like an artist who’s just finished a masterpiece.
“Okay, ladies! Everyone out, Ava needs some time to herself!” Ms. Newton yells. She’s been a planner extraordinaire, and without her, I doubt I would’ve ever made it to this day. Glancing over to wink at me, she herds everyone from the hotel suite that is larger than any home I’ve ever lived in.
Well, that was before I began living with Logan.
We spent weeks in his Hollywood Hills home, but it felt so much like a staged house, I couldn’t live there comfortably. Next, we tried the condo he frequented near his office, but it was too much like a bachelor pad for me. Lastly, we lived in his Bel Air estate, and I barely made it a week in that snobby neighborhood.
While I couldn’t pinpoint the problem, Logan was convinced I needed to make a home for us on my own, so we picked a beautiful family estate in Beverly Hills. It wasn’t so grand that I felt uncomfortable, but it was definitely the type of neighborhood I would drive through and dream of living in. After closing on the home a month ago, we decided to allow the interior decorator complete autonomy, and today would be the first day either of us saw our new home.
Standing from the chair, I take a deep breath, a bit anxious to see my reflection as I take the two short steps to the full-length mirror propped against the wall. Cate did an amazing job, and although I look glamorous, I still look like myself. I’d feared being unrecognizable, caked with make-up, and knew I wanted the pictures from today to bring back nothing but beautiful memories, so despite how uncomfortable it was, I made sure everyone knew exactly what I wanted.
My heart races as I flip my brown hair over my shoulder, slowly untying the silk robe to reveal the dress that has never failed to take my breath away. My hands instantly drop to the fabric with its intricate bead work, pearls delicately intertwined in the lace so subtly that you could miss it if you didn’t pay attention.
“My God,” I gasp to myself.
I may look like Ava, but I feel like a completely new person. My life is nothing like the girl who met Logan, and today will only solidify my transformation. With trembling hands, I trace the details of the diamonds bought for me in Australia dangling from my ears before deciding I’m ready.
“Oh, baby!” My dad says when he sees me. His eyes are already red and puffy from what has surely been an emotional day for him and my mother.
“Just remember this is your day. You’ll remember this for the rest of your life, Ava.” My mom pinches her lips tightly to stop from crying before gently kissing my cheek and hurrying off to find her seat.
The large white double doors open to reveal a room full of people, all dressed to perfection with love in their eyes as they look back to the doorway, where I stand with my arm intertwined with my father’s.
“Let’s go, baby girl,” he whispers before taking the first step.
My eyes are trained on the end of the aisle where Logan stands in a black tuxedo, somehow even more handsome than the day I met him. His eyes are glassed over with emotion, and the closer I get, the more he fidgets from side to side with anticipation.
“Who gives this bride to this groom in marriage?” the minister asks, standing a step above Logan.
“I do,” my father answers proudly, releasing my arm and kissing my cheek before joining my mother in the front row.
The smile on Logan’s face as he takes the half step to me sets off a flutter in my belly. I take his hand and step to him, now standing directly across from the man of my dreams.
“You may all be seated,” the minister announces to the audience.
“I love you so much,” Logan quickly leans in to whisper as the room full of our closest friends and family settle into their seats.
“I love you too,” I mouth as the room grows silent.
I can see the internal battle in Logan’s eyes as he stands so close to me without being able to take me in his arms. His desire has always amplified my confidence, and today it is only magnified.
“You’re so beautiful,” Logan says with a shake of his head slowly, studying my face as his hand brushes my hair aside.
Before I can stop him, he cradles my neck, pressing his lips to mine. My body melts to his touch as the crowd laughs in amusement.
“We’re not exactly there yet, Logan,” the minister jokingly admonishes the man I love.
“I’m sorry, I couldn’t help myself.” Logan shrugs with his million-dollar smile to the minister and to our family and friends before returning his gaze to me.
I don’t hear a word spoken by the minister as he speaks about love and devotion. All I need to know about both subjects is intertwined in the beautiful blue eyes that stare back at me. Without a word, Logan is declaring his love, and with a smile plastered across my face, I reciprocate every ounce of devotion. Forever.
***
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