Epilogue

“Again.” Bryce demands as he glides in and out of me. I feel every inch of him hitting my sensitive flesh since he just gave me an earth-shattering orgasm two minutes ago.

“Yours, forever,” I repeat for the hundredth time since he proposed.

He takes his time building me up, and I allow myself to feel the beauty of him. We got rid of the condom on the first night in Destin. He knew I was on birth control but still insisted on condoms for extra protection. Once we hit the door to our cottage, he took me hard and fast, and we both never looked back.

He picks up speed, driving into me with purpose, and we moan at the same time. His mouth claims mine as he swivels his hips until I turn my head away gasping. When our eyes meet, I push up into him and he lets go, taking me with him as we both yell out. His sweaty, hot body falls on top of me, and I hold him close.

The surf crashes against the sand in the background, and I see the light starting to peak through the windows. Seagulls fly through the air squawking, and the sea breeze flies in the open windows of our room.

The two days we have been in Destin have been spent mostly in bed, reconnecting and celebrating. We’ve only left the room for showers, food, or bathroom breaks. I’m not sure we’ll even make it to the beach today.

It was a whirlwind of activity after we got engaged. My mom arranged for food to be delivered to Bryce and Nate’s apartment, and we all celebrated the entire night. That evening, all the secrets came out. According to Bryce, once he knew I was truly back to myself and let the darkness go from what happened, he started making plans. He talked to his parents first, then Nate. My brother told Quinn she needed to be at graduation but gave her very few details until my parents knew what was going on. She suspected but promised to be quiet.

Bryce planned the elaborate proposal with the help of his ROTC class and then told my parents everything. My mom jumped for joy. My dad was harder to convince. Once Bryce promised to wait until I graduate, he relented.

Even though we are young, no one gave Bryce any flack because they all know. We are perfect together. He makes me happy.

Once we finally jumped our hurdles, he held my heart forever.

I also learned it wasn’t his ROTC speech he was nervous about our first night together after six long weeks. It was his proposal speech and the elaborate display by his classmates. Apparently, all the guys dropping to their knees was a sign of respect for him. This is not really a common practice, but one of the guys told him about it happening before in a similar situation, and they decided to copy it.

He and Nate’s actual graduation was boring, as suspected, but my mom and Sheila still cried. Quinn opted to skip it and stay locked away in a hotel with Dean, which I was jealous of. They came out to dinner to celebrate but didn’t hang out afterwards. Dean fits into our group well; he' was hilarious. Maybe it was my euphoric endorphins, but I could see he and Quinn with a future.

I’m not going to lie; the highlight of my day on Bryce’s actual graduation was when Holli showed her pathetic face. She zoned in on Sheila and Dave and hugged them tightly. They hugged her back uncomfortably. When she saw me, I didn’t move, but when she saw the sparkling diamonds and ring, her face paled and she stuttered her congratulations. I didn’t flaunt it at all, but a sense of satisfaction overwhelmed me.

“Baby, if you’re thinking again, I obviously didn’t do that right.” Bryce interrupts my thoughts, and I bite softly on his shoulder.

“I was thinking, but it was all good. You think we might actually see the beach today?”

“Yeah, babe. Let’s shower and eat. Then I’ll take my gorgeous fiancée to the beach.”

“I love the sound of that.”

He stays silent.

“Don’t you?”

“Yeah, but I’m pretty sure I’ll like the sound of ‘my gorgeous wife’ better.”

We get out of bed and head to the shower, and my phone starts ringing. I ignore Quinn’s tone and walk into the hot water with Bryce, rubbing my body against his.

The shower takes longer than expected, and when we finally get our suits on and are ready for the beach, I have five missed calls and a slew of text messages. I decide to check the texts first.

Quinn: Bitch! Check your email. We were both accepted to the summer program. You have to call me soon!

Me: I just got out of shower. BRB

Quinn: You may want to lay Bryce down. This isn’t good, but it’s amazing for our futures.

My stomach drops, and I sit on the arm of the sofa.

Me: Tell me!

Quinn: No—open the email.

I scroll through my email and find the message I’m looking for.

The opening is pretty generic, congratulating me on acceptance and telling me the details, including the financials and credits received. It’s not until I get to the location that my heart stops. The description of the project is outlined, and my enthusiasm starts to rise. I see myself in this environment and bringing the stories for my future projects.

No one is going to support this. My parents are going to have a fit, and Nate will forbid. But I don’t care. My enthusiasm tampers down any anxiety.

I text Quinn immediately.

Me: I’m in! You?

Quinn: No doubt. But only with you. Talk to your fiancé first. Not confirming until you have his approval.

Me: I’ll be fine!

“Are you done yet?” Bryce nips my neck and stands in front of me in his swimsuit and nothing else. His chiseled chest makes me lick my lips, and I almost forget my news.

“I got accepted to the programs I applied for.” I wave my phone, and he takes it.

As he scrolls through the message, his expression goes from excited to shocked when he finishes and hands my phone back.

His stance gets solid, and he crosses his arms over his chest. “No way! Absolutely not. You are not going to Israel! You think I’m going to let my fiancée travel to a country in absolute chaos?”

“I think you need to calm down. I’ll be with a guided troupe, and we’ll be fine. It says in the email that we have designated families to interview.”

“I’m not letting the love of my life go willingly into the Middle East. No! Over my dead fucking body.”

My mind rages. There’s no way I’m giving up this opportunity. He may think he’s dealing with the sweet and sassy Devon, but he’s wrong. This is a chance that could shape my future. I may love this man with all my heart, but I’m going to Israel, with or without his support.

Game On…