Epilogue

 

One Year Later – St. Lucia

 

“Here you go. One very cold drink for one very hot babe. Cheers.”

Cara grinned as she clinked the glass containing a delicious frozen melon margarita against Dante’s. “Cheers. Mmm, this really hits the spot. Thanks.”

“My pleasure.” He leaned across his padded lounger to plant a kiss on her mouth, his lips cool from the cocktail. “Especially since I told the bartender to add an extra shot of tequila to yours. I like how you get a little wild and crazy when you’re tipsy. One of these days I’ll convince you to dance on a tabletop for me.”

She groaned, covering her face with her hands. “I swear I am going to kill Mirai for telling you that. Some best friend she turned out to be.”

Dante laughed. “You know you don’t mean that. And you also miss her like hell right now. How much longer is that internship of hers?”

“Until the end of July. Though she’s taking a week off in April and flying back to San Francisco to visit. And as much as I miss her, working in New York for a year is good for her. And she’s enjoying the extra time with her father.”

Mirai had finished her certification program in fashion merchandising, and with the help of Angela’s friend Julia had landed an internship working at Bergdorf Goodman in Manhattan. Julia’s aunt was the head buyer at the exclusive department store, and had arranged for Mirai to work under one of her assistants. And while Cara had been missing her BFF like crazy, she knew that the opportunity had been too good to pass up. Besides, she reasoned, she’d been so busy herself that she barely had a minute to spare nowadays.

She had been living with Dante full time for over a year now, having happily given up her lease on the tiny apartment, and moved in with him bag and baggage - sans the detested futon, of course. True to his word, he’d driven her everywhere, at least until he had bullied her into renewing her lapsed drivers license. For her twenty-third birthday last April, one of the many gifts he’d given her had been the keys to a brand new car of her very own - a fire engine red, fully loaded Lexus LC.

“Because red is your best color,” he’d told her as she had stared at the luxury vehicle in speechless surprise. “And seeing you behind the wheel of this car will always remind me of how you looked the night of our first date - wearing that red dress and making me realize I was really seeing you for the first time.”

Somewhat to Cara’s dismay, she’d had to quickly get used to receiving such extravagant gifts from her very generous boyfriend. Dante had blithely ignored her protests about buying her a whole new wardrobe, and simply dragged her along with him on an extended shopping spree. He set up an account for her at the beauty salon where Ruben worked, and insisted that she make appointments whenever she liked to get her hair and nails done, have a massage, or any other treatments she desired. She now had a membership at the gym he and Nick worked out at, though she mostly attended classes - spin, barre method, boot camp - rather than lifting the sort of heavy weights the two men preferred.

Dante had also given her carte blanche to spend whatever she wanted at the grocery store, and that at least was one perk she took full advantage of. Cara adored cooking in the condo’s fully stocked kitchen, and having an unlimited food budget had allowed her to create some incredible dishes. They also ate out a few times a week, especially when work had been extra hectic. At first, he had made it a point to take her to only the trendiest, most exclusive restaurants in the city, until she’d admitted that she didn’t always like the pretentious dishes they tended to serve in such places. Instead, she preferred some of the cozier neighborhood establishments he’d brought her to when they had first dated.

She had finally finished school last August, a milestone that had been celebrated in grand fashion with a big party Dante had thrown for her up at the family restaurant in Healdsburg. It had easily been one of the happiest days of her life, eating and drinking and laughing with all of his family members and friends who’d come out to commemorate the occasion. Mirai had flown in just for the weekend, declaring that there was no possible way she would have missed such a momentous event. Angela and Nick had been there, too, along with their infant son Dylan. And Cara hadn’t been able to hold back the tears when her mother’s best friend Frannie had shown up, a closely guarded surprise that Dante had organized.

The only person who hadn’t shown up, or sent his congratulations, had been her father - largely because Cara hadn’t bothered to remind him that she’d received her degree. Contact with Mark, in fact, was nearly nonexistent these days, limited to a handful of brief, stilted phone calls or an occasional email a few times a year.

But her father’s lack of interest in her no longer bothered Cara. It was something she’d worked hard to get past, but she could now honestly say that she didn’t care one way or the other. She no longer needed or wanted her father’s support or attention, and certainly not his approval. Dante more than provided her with all of those things and more, and in a much deeper and more meaningful way than her egocentric father ever could.

Dante had very quickly become everything to her - her lover, protector, confidante, friend. After struggling to take care of and support herself for so long, it had been a blessed relief to now have someone who was so eager to look out for her. At the same time, though, he was all too well aware of her need for independence, and was careful not to cross the fine line between support and domination - at least, most of the time, she thought wryly. Dante was also extremely protective, something she teasingly attributed to his Italian blood and machismo, but she had to secretly admit that she did love it when he would go all caveman on her at times.

And Cara enjoyed teasing him every so often that what she loved most about him was his family, while he would joke that they liked her more than they liked him. But she knew how much it pleased him that she loved spending time with his family, how she adored every single dinner and party and holiday they were invited to. Jeannie had quickly become like a second mother to her, and fussed over Cara as though she were her own child. Dante’s roguish younger brother Rafe flirted with Cara outrageously, even though she’d told him impishly that she really preferred older men. And while his tough as nails little sister Gia hadn’t been won over quite so easily, by now she adored Cara as much as the rest of the family did.

Cara swapped recipes with his aunts, had helped plan a baby shower for one of his many cousins, attended a bachelorette party for yet another cousin, and organized a birthday dinner for Jeannie. She’d overheard numerous speculations among his family members about when and if Dante was going to pop the question to her anytime soon, though the only one bold enough to actually voice that inquiry aloud had been Valentina.

Cara usually just blushed and looked at her feet when Dante’s grandmother asked when he was going to make an honest woman of her, while Dante would gently chide Valentina to mind her own business, and remind her that there was plenty of time for all that. But the gift that Valentina had presented to Cara last month for Christmas had been a none-too-subtle push in that direction - a set of sheets and a linen tablecloth - for her hope chest, the elderly woman had instructed. Cara still wasn’t quite sure if this hope chest was supposed to be an actual piece of furniture, or was simply a term someone had dreamed up long ago.

It had been the happiest, merriest Christmas she’d had since the last one spent with her mother. And even when Sharon had been alive, their simple, quiet holiday celebrations had been nothing like a Sabattini one. This past Christmas had been filled with laughter and presents and more food and drink than Cara had ever seen at one time. She’d been almost delirious with happiness, and that had been without all of the beautiful gifts Dante had lavished on her.

The one gift he hadn’t given her, though, had been the much-hinted-about engagement ring that nearly every member of his family had been expecting to see gracing the third finger of her left hand on Christmas Day. Cara had scolded herself for feeling even the tiniest bit of disappointment that Dante hadn’t in fact popped the question by now, reminding herself that she was completely, utterly content with their current situation. The boyfriend whom she was insanely in love with was not merely gorgeous, filthy rich, and an insatiable but generous lover, but he was also kind, protective, funny, and a gentleman. They complemented each other in every way, rarely argued (and usually only when he was acting a little too domineering), and Cara had never before felt so cherished and adored. Expecting anything more at this point in their relationship would just be greedy on her part.

And really, she argued with herself now as she sipped the icy cold, deliciously fruity cocktail, she certainly didn’t have time to deal with stuff like planning a wedding, even if Dante had proposed. Nick was a demanding boss, expecting nothing short of perfection, and Cara often worked exhaustingly long hours. She’d made the decision - with Dante’s blessing, even though he’d teased her about feeling hurt that she didn’t want to come work for him - to remain part of Nick and Angela’s team at Morton Sterling. Even before her college graduation, she’d begun assuming more responsibilities and working more closely with clients.

And when Angela had started her maternity leave two weeks before her due date, Cara had moved into her boss’ office for the next few months. Baby Dylan had been born in June, and despite their initial misgivings, Nick and Angela were proving to be competent, dedicated, and rather obsessive parents. Nick in particular had shocked everyone who knew him with his devotion to his son, and Dante had nearly choked the first time he’d observed his arrogant, controlling best friend actually changing a diaper.

Angela, in fact, had just returned to work on a part-time basis a couple of weeks ago, reluctantly leaving six-month old Dylan in the hands of a very competent nanny. The new mother had confided to Cara that Nick had been rather ruthless when it had come time to hiring a nanny, grilling each applicant as though they were applying for a job with the CIA instead of looking after a baby. He’d rejected the first ten applicants, before they had finally agreed on one, though Angela had also mentioned that Nick was watching the newly hired nanny like a hawk.

Leah had left the team to work with another top broker in the office, eliminating the tension and bickering that had always occurred between her and Tyler. Cara worked alongside of him these days, and he’d confessed that his marriage was much stronger now that he and Leah weren’t constantly together. The PA whom Cara had trained to take over her duties - a recent Stanford graduate who was the younger sister of one of Angela’s former collegiate volleyball teammates - completed their team.

Because work had been so demanding these last few months for both of them, Cara and Dante hadn’t been able to take a real vacation since last spring, save for a few long weekends when he’d taken her to places like Palm Springs, Las Vegas, and Vancouver. But now that Angela was back to work for a few hours each day, Cara had finally stopped feeling guilty about taking a whole week off.

She and Dante had arrived on the Caribbean island of St. Lucia just yesterday, and her jaw had dropped at her first sight of the luxury resort they would be staying at for the next week. She’d thought that the Jade Mountain Resort had to be the most beautiful place on the face of the earth, with not one but two beaches and a coral reef just offshore of the property. Their open-air suite had its own private infinity pool, and was equipped with every amenity one could desire, with the exception of a TV. The on-site restaurant provided three delicious meals a day, and there were a variety of activities offered - hiking and biking trails, a fitness center, yoga classes, tennis, scuba diving, and a host of others. But what Cara was most looking forward to was simply relaxing on the beach, or alongside their private pool as they were right now.

“Mmm, a girl could get used to this sort of thing,” she purred, stretching luxuriously on her own padded lounger. “Private pool, luxury suite, even a butler to bring us drinks at the push of a button. And the weather is perfect, not too hot or humid, and with just the right amount of breeze.”

Dante grinned, lowering his sunglasses to ogle her cleavage. “Not to mention a perfect woman. You look fantastic in that bikini, honey. Did I tell you that red’s definitely your color?”

Cara glanced down at the bright scarlet bathing suit that barely covered her body. “At least once a week, I think. And this bikini had better look good, considering how much you paid for it. Geez, two hundred dollars is highway robbery for these little bits of fabric. Do you realize how far I used to be able to stretch that much money?”

His grin faded to a scowl. “Don’t remind me, okay? Every time I think about how hard you had to work, how many little things you went without, it pisses me off. That father of yours - he never deserved a daughter like you, Cara, and I hope one of these days he wakes up and realizes how badly he treated you.”

“Shh.” She placed a finger over his lips. “And you shouldn’t remind me about my father. Look, all of that’s in the past now, so we should let it stay there. Especially this week, when we’re here in paradise.”

“Agreed.” Dante took her hand in his, pressing a kiss to the palm. “You’re already getting a tan,” he observed, running a finger along the low-cut neckline of the bikini top. “Too bad you won’t sunbathe naked like I suggested. That way you wouldn’t have tan lines.”

“I don’t think so,” replied Cara primly. “There’s no way you’re going to convince me that those kayakers out there can’t see us up here. Besides, what’s the point of paying two hundred bucks for a bikini if I don’t wear it? And this is just one of the five you bought me for this trip, along with all of the other clothes and stuff. Did I tell you that you really went overboard with the gift giving at Christmas?”

“Ah, that reminds me.” He set his nearly empty drink down on the glass-topped table that separated their loungers, before swinging his legs over the side. “Be right back.”

Cara felt far too lazy to look back and see where he was going, content to merely lay against the plush cushion of the lounger and let the warm Caribbean sun wash over her face and body. She hadn’t realized until now how much she’d needed this break, how hard she’d been pushing herself at the office these past few months. It was going to be hell to go back in a week’s time, especially since it was the dead of winter in San Francisco, with a near-record amount of rainfall already.

‘Why are you even thinking about leaving when you’ve just arrived,’ she scolded herself. ‘And especially with all of these incredible views. Like this one, for example.’

Dante returned to his lounger, a mysterious grin on his handsome face. He was so gorgeous, she thought with a sigh, more so than ever clad in just a pair of light blue cotton swim trunks that showed off his tanned, buff body to perfection. He hadn’t shaved today, and he looked more dark and dangerous than normal with the stubble that covered his cheeks and chin. Cara licked her lips as her gaze traveled down his taut abs to where she knew he’d already be semi-aroused.

“Tsk, tsk,” he scolded, wagging a finger at her. “None of those looks right now, okay? You know, we did just get out of bed less than three hours ago. And since I’m so much older than you are, I need some time to rest up and recover in between.”

Cara snorted in derision. “Oh, yeah, you’re so old. In fact, I didn’t want to mention it, but I’m pretty sure I saw a few gray hairs on your head last night. As far as resting up, give me a break. All I’d have to do is drop my top and you’d be good to go for at least an hour.”

Dante grinned, swinging his legs around the side of the lounger so that he was sitting up facing her. “Tell you what. You drop that top and I’ll start my stopwatch.”

But as she teasingly began to untie the strings around her neck, he stilled her hand, causing her to quirk a brow. “Changed your mind already?” she teased.

“Just putting that idea - a really, really good idea, by the way - on hold for a few minutes. There’s something I want to ask you, Cara mia. Something I’ve been wanting to ask you for awhile now. And I’m well aware that my nosy ass family was very, very disappointed that I didn’t ask you this in time for Christmas last month. But that was very intentional on my part. I love my family to pieces, but there are certain times when they just need to butt out. I knew we’d be making this trip here, and I wanted it to be just the two of us when I asked you this very important question.”

Cara’s heartrate had begun to accelerate the moment he’d told her he had something to ask her. ‘Oh, God, oh, God,’ she thought wildly. ‘Do not jump to conclusions, Cara, do not dare. Because for all you know what he has to ask you has absolutely nothing to do with what you think it does, and you’re going to feel like a fool for even imagining it. So don’t…’

Dante withdrew a small black velvet box from the pocket of his swim trunks, then flipped open the lid to reveal a dainty but dazzling little ring inside. It looked, she thought with a gulp, as though it would be the perfect size and shape for someone with hands as small as hers.

“Cara.” Dante’s voice was hoarse, maybe even a little unsteady as he took hold of her left hand. “Cara mia - my darling. Would you marry me? Please? Because if you don’t say yes, my grandmother will never let me hear the end of it. Not to mention the fact that it would break my heart. And I know you’re too sweet and kind and wonderful to even think of doing something that cruel. So, will you be my wife, Cara? Spend the rest of your life with me? Well, me and my nosy family, that is.”

She placed her free hand over her heart, as though she could still its frantic beating that way. “Yes,” was all she whispered, but it was all the answer he needed. Tears were falling from her lashes as she flung herself at him, the two of them tumbling onto his lounger as their lips met in a long, searching kiss that told him everything else she wasn’t able to put into words just yet.

He slid the beautiful little ring onto her engagement finger, nodding in satisfaction when it proved a perfect fit. “I had to guess about the size since you never wear rings,” he explained. “We can bring it back to the jewelers if it needs any adjusting.”

Cara shook her head, studying the stunning, square cut diamond solitaire on its slender platinum band. “It’s perfect just like it is. And I love it, Dante. I love you.”

They cuddled together on the lounger for a time, content to simply bask in the tropical sunlight and marvel at what had just happened.

Cara broke the peaceful silence first. “Shouldn’t we call your mother and tell her the good news? I’m guessing it would take just the one phone call, and your entire family would know within ten minutes.”

“It wouldn’t even take that long,” he retorted. “But to answer your first question, the answer is no. The minute my family and our friends know we’re engaged they’ll start hounding us about wedding plans, bridal showers, registries, all that stuff.”

She grinned. “Thanks to your grandmother’s Christmas gift to me, we already have a head start on the registry.”

Dante gave a little eye roll. “Yeah, don’t remind me. Besides, I’d rather tell my mom and Nonna in person. So we can keep this news to ourselves for the rest of the week, and enjoy the last few days of sanity we’ll have for a very long time. We can also talk a little bit about the sort of wedding we want to have, since I guarantee you everyone else will be all too happy to share their opinions of how it should be.”

Cara nodded. “I know exactly where I’d like to be married. I mean, if it’s okay with you, that is. The first time you brought me there I thought about what a wonderful place it would be for a wedding.”

He smiled at her tenderly. “I’m guessing it wasn’t Pasquale’s. Or Tommy’s,” referring to the pizza joint and the sports bar he’d brought her to on some of their earlier dates.

She wrinkled her nose. “Uh, your guess would be right. And you know exactly what place I’m referring to, Dante. You even told me once yourself what a perfect location it would make for a wedding.”

“The winery next to the family restaurant,” he confirmed. “And I couldn’t agree with you more, honey. But are you sure that’s okay with you? It isn’t the fanciest location. If you’d rather get married at a big hotel like Angela and Nick did, that would be fine with me.”

Cara shook her head. “No. I couldn’t think of a more perfect spot to be married - outdoors among all those gorgeous oak trees, with that old stone farmhouse in the background, all of your family and our friends around us. And Labor Day weekend, I think. If we can make all of the arrangements by then, of course.”

Dante snorted. “This is my family’s place we’re talking about, honey. And if my family gets involved with the planning - which they will, like it or not - we could have all of the arrangements made by Valentine’s Day if we really wanted to. Which, by the way, is not such a bad idea. You could wear a red dress if we got married then.”

She socked him on the arm, a bit too hard to be considered playful. “I am not wearing red at my own wedding,” she insisted.

He rubbed his sore arm. “I was just kidding. Besides, one of my top two fantasies of all time is seeing you walk down the aisle towards me wearing a beautiful white gown.”

“Really? What’s the second one?”

Dante gave her an unholy grin as he deftly untied her bikini top, baring her breasts to his eager gaze. “Watching you sunbathe naked.”

 

 

The End