EPILOGUE
Audrey
One month later
K nock, knock,” he says tapping on the doorjamb of my old castle bedroom. “How’s the studying going?”
I exhale hard. “Good, but it’s the perfect time for a break.”
I stand up and stretch, and he comes to me and hugs me tight.
“It was a great idea to turn my old room into a study room. It’s so easy to focus in here. The walls are thick, not that I need it though. It’s so peaceful inside your home.”
“You mean our home.”
“I still can’t believe it.”
“Believe it. And the best part is that you’re going to finish your degree on time, and when you do we can look into some of those additions and improvements to the property we talked about.”
“I can’t wait. Not just to put some creative touches on the castle, but also to finish up my studies. I’m so lucky you were able to convince them to let me study abroad, and that they’re willing to give me credit for the responsibilities that come with my part-time position at Pest Publishing.”
“I think I get the better end of that deal. The most amazing young up and coming advertising rep in the entire world.”
“Awww. Thank you.” He always says the nicest things. His support means the world to me. “How’s Tina?”
“She’s good. I just had a quick video chat with her. She’s having a great time in Singapore. She sends her regards.”
“Is she cool with everything?”
“She mentioned before I proposed to you that she saw you as a sister, so she’s going to be all right.”
“But I’m not exactly going to be her sister when all the dust settles.”
“True, but while the titles may be a little different your relationship will be the same. Two girls who enjoy each other’s company and get along just like sisters do…without any fighting, jealousy, or any of the potentially pitfalls.”
“That’s true. She’s an amazing person. I just hope she comes to see you and I how she did before the proposal. Just a couple of crazy kids in love.”
“She will. I think she’s still a little bit in shock, but she’s handling it pretty well. It’s mostly just in her head and a case of human perception. Once she sees we’re still the same two people, just officially in love, she’ll realize her initial reaction was overblown.”
“More like blown over,” I say, referring to her passing out on the bridge a few moments after I accepted Tamás’ proposal.
“Yeah, it was like the wind just caught her and took her right over.”
“Luckily my dad has quick hands.”
“And an even quicker ability to adapt.”
“But he had some time.”
“True. I was surprised when he told me he figured it out. He noticed a change in you just through the tone of your emails and your calls with him. He knew something was up, and when he saw my mind wandering on our investor conference calls he figured it out.”
“But he never got angry.”
“That’s the kind of guy your dad is. He’s a great guy, and also easy going. He knows it’s your decision and he respects and trusts you. I’m just glad he felt the same way about me.”
“How could he feel otherwise?”
“Well, he is my best friend, but pursuing his daughter could have definitely tested our relationship.”
“But I pursued you just as much.”
“Maybe, but I was so laser focused on you, I felt like the hunter.”
“And you were, and I was more than happy to be caught.”
“And speaking of being caught, we have to get going if we’re going to catch the sunset.”
“Oh! The sunset tonight would be perfect. Where should we catch it from?”
“Well, I did promise you we’d return to Gellért Hill, and tonight is as good as any to keep that promise.”
“You remembered!” I say, hugging him.
“I never make a promise I can’t keep, especially when it comes to you.”
“And I never make a promise to you I can’t keep.”
“And that’s just one of the reasons I promise to love you forever.”
“And forever is almost as long as I promise to love you.”
“Almost?”
“Almost.”
“Why’s that?”
“Because I promise to love you forever, and ever and ever.”
“Forever ever?”
“Forever ever.”
He leans down and kisses me.
“Great, because when I’m with you it’s like time stands still,” he says.
“Same with me.”
“So forever is going to be a really, really, really long time. And I’m in no hurry.”
“Neither am I.”
“But I am in a hurry to walk you down that aisle. I even laid out some choices while you were studying.”
“Oh! Tell me!”
“We’ll pick together, as a team. But first, let’s catch that sunset.”
“As a team,” I say.
“Forever,” he says.
“And ever and ever.”
The End