Epilogue

Molly – One Year Later

“I really like what you’ve done with the place,” I said, glancing around. “It looks really fantastic, Becks.”

Rebecca beamed. “I like it,” she said. She shrugged. “Alice does, too.”

I smiled. “I’m so glad you guys are together,” I said. “She’s a really nice girl.”

Rebecca nodded. “She is,” she said. She bit her lip and leaned back. “Molly, listen…about last year, I’m so sorry I acted like that.” She shook her head and sighed. “I can’t believe I went full nuclear insane on you that day, and I’m sorry I was such a jealous witch when it came to you and Alex.”

I waved my hand through the air. “Hey, no worries,” I said. “It all worked out, didn’t it?”

Rebecca nodded again. “Yeah,” she said softly. “It did.”

Things had been rocky for a long time with my best friend. We didn’t talk for months after the bad incident the year before, when Rebecca had kissed and threatened me. During that time, Alex had been my rock. He’d been there whenever, wherever I needed him. We’d fallen more deeply in love than ever before…not to mention, continued my “education.”

When classes had started up again, Rebecca and I had three sections together. That was when I’d realized that if I wanted her back in my life, we were going to have to make up. I was nervous as heck the day I walked over to her and asked her for coffee, just to talk. Rebecca had accepted, and we’d gone to the same coffee shop where I’d gone on my ill-fitted date with Dan. We’d talked (and cried) and Rebecca had apologized for everything, although I knew she still felt guilty. She still brought it up sometimes.

I’d initially planned to find my own apartment and move in alone, but by then, I was so used to living with Alex that I didn’t want to leave. He’d officially asked me to move in with him on our six-month anniversary, and I’d been over the moon about it. I loved him more than ever before, especially because he was so good at taking care of me. It was truly like being with the best man in the world.

Just after Rebecca and I had rekindled our friendship – we’d started slowly, having drinks together a few times a week, things like that – she met someone. A chubby brunette named Alice, who fell hard and fast for my best friend. They were the cutest couple, and it was great to finally see Rebecca so happy. Best of all, it made me feel as though she’d truly moved on from her weird obsession with me.

I was getting to my feet just as the front door opened and Alice walked in. When she saw me, she smiled.

“Hey, Molly,” Alice said. “I didn’t know you were coming over today. How are things going?”

I smiled happily. “Good,” I said. “I can’t stay for too long, Alex said he’s actually going to cook dinner for me tonight.”

Rebecca burst out laughing. “You might want to have a backup plan,” she said. “I’m pretty sure that to Alex, ‘cooking’ means mac and cheese from a box and soup from a can.”

I shrugged. “I love mac and cheese,” I said honestly. “And besides, I love Alex. I think it’s sweet.”

Rebecca shook her head. “You’re hopeless,” she said. “But I’m glad you found happiness and somehow managed to change my asshole of a brother into a good man.”

I nodded. “It wasn’t on purpose,” I said.

“No, he’s totally transformed,” Rebecca said. She turned to Alice. “Alice, you wouldn’t believe this, but my brother used to be the biggest player in Rolling Hills.”

Alice snickered. “It’s not hard to imagine,” she said. She sat down next to Rebecca and started rubbing her back.

I nodded. “He was like that before, but not now.”

Rebecca rolled her eyes. “Speaking of family, are you coming to dinner this weekend? Mom is making a really big deal about it for some reason.”

“Yeah,” I said. “Alex told me he had a surprise for me, and that we’d go to your parents to celebrate.”

Rebecca blushed. “Cool,” she said. “I’m glad Mom finally came around.”

“Me, too.” When I’d first gotten together with Alex, his mother hadn’t exactly been…welcoming. But after a few months, when she realized I truly loved her son, she relaxed We weren’t super close, but I was enjoying building a relationship with her.

My phone buzzed and I pulled it out of my pocket. There was a text from Alex that read: “coming home soon? I have a surprise for u.”

I blushed. “I’ve got to get going,” I said. “I think Alex is starting dinner.”

Rebecca laughed. “If you get food poisoning and want us to bring you some soup later, let me know.” She stood up and hugged me. I waved to Alice, then grabbed my bag and headed outside. Alex’s shiny Mustang was parked on the curb and I grinned when I saw him.

“Hey,” Alex said. “I thought I’d offer you a ride home.”

I smiled happily. “Thank you,” I said. Climbing into the car, I leaned over and kissed him. As always, kissing Alex made my heart thump faster and my nipples stiffen with excitement.

Alex pulled away. “I have a surprise for you at home,” he said.

“You mentioned,” I said, flushing. “What is it?”

Alex laughed. “If I told you, it wouldn’t be a surprise!”

I grew anxious and excited as Alex drove across town. As soon as we stepped inside our condo, I gasped. The living room was filled with peonies – my favorite flower – and takeout from Spice Nation, my favorite Indian place, was set up at the table.

“This is better than your cooking,” I said, grinning. My stomach rumbled and I leaned over to kiss Alex.

“I’m glad you approve,” Alex said, raising an eyebrow. “Because there’s one other thing I want from you.”

“Oh yeah?” I blushed and bit my lip. “What?”

Alex dropped to one knee. When he pulled a small Cartier box from his pocket, I gasped.

“Molly Peters, will you make me the happiest man on earth by doing me the honor of becoming my wife?” Alex’s blue eyes shone with sincerity.

“Oh my god!” I squeaked. “Yes! Yes!”

Alex got to his feet and slid the beautiful diamond ring onto my finger. He pulled me into a close hug and kissed my neck. Tears of happiness welled up in my eyes and I wrapped my arms around his neck and hugged him tightly.

“I love you,” Alex said, pulling away, just so he could look at me. “I always will, Molly.”

Happiness filled my chest and I couldn’t keep from crying. I was torn between staring into the face of my fiancé or staring at my ring.

“I love you, too,” I said softly. “You’ve made me the happiest woman on earth.”

Alex grinned. “Good,” he said. “I hope I can do that every day, Molly.” He reached up to wipe a tear from my cheek. “I love you more than anything, and I will always care for and protect you.” He smirked. “And give you lots of orgasms. I promise to do that, too.”

I blushed. “You’d better,” I said quietly. “Because I’m looking forward to a long, happy, orgasmic life with you.”

As I closed my eyes and nestled my head into Alex’s neck, I knew that everything had finally turned out just like a fairy tale. I’d never expected to find this kind of happiness, but becoming Mrs. Alex Travers was a dream come true. I had no idea what the future would hold – but I knew that as long as Alex and I were together, everything would be absolutely perfect.