“I still don’t understand.”
“Rory, Lizzy—you guys are the first people I am telling this to. I left Insurrection and now I’m going to embark on a solo career.” His eyes gle
amed. He is so happy, like a weight has been lifted off of his shoulders.
“Arsen!” Rory embraced him. “This is amazing. This is the best decision that you could’ve made.”
“About time, right? No more fights, no more unhappiness, and no more world tours. I might be starting from scratch again, but it’s better than working with someone who I can’t respect. ”
“Yes. That jackass does not deserve to even be in the same room as you,” Lizzy said, referring to Mickey.
“So Rory, can I…”
“Of course, Arsen.” She rushed to kiss him, not giving a damn that Lizzy was right next to them. “You can stay here as long as you’d like.”
“What if I never leave?” He winked.
“Even better!” she smiled.
As Rory carried the food from the kitchen to the drawing room, she saw Arsen and Lizzy setting the dinner table. This was her life now. A new art studio, a new life of financial freedom, and most of all—her own Prince Charming. The kind of love that happens in movies.
This is my family now, Rory smiled. She couldn’t believe that Arsen was here to stay. The idea of waking up next to him, the idea of spending nights in his arms, excited her beyond belief. This was just the first of the many more amazing days to come. The table was set and Rory had filled up their glasses with wine.
“Cheers to you two amazing ladies,” Arsen said as he raised his glass.
“To all of us,” Rory joined in.
“But most of all, cheers to Rory and Arsen. Finally!” Lizzy exclaimed, and they all laughed.
“Bon appetit,” said Rory and they all dug in to their plates.
The sounds of plates and knives faded into the background as the rain, in its typically loud fashion, started pouring down on the beautiful island of Montcove.
Epilogue
FIVE months later
Rory laughed happily as Arsen walked in the room and pushed her down on the bed, laying on top of her.
“How are you, gorgeous,” he said as he pulled her top down to kiss the upper skin of her chest.
“I’m trying to figure out what to wear to my fabulous best friend’s wedding,” she protested, but only mildly. She knew she couldn’t resist Arsen when he began to tease her body with his mouth.
“Mmm, maybe we should do that,” he said.
“Do what?”
“Get married,” he said into her chest. Then in one smooth motion he pulled off her dress, revealing the new bra and panties set she’d treated herself to when her T-shirt business had another ten thousand sales. “Ooh, nice,” he murmured and began kissing her nipples through the delicate lace.
Rory found it hard to think straight. He was sending the most delicious electric shocks through her body, but her head was reeling. Did he really want to get married? She grabbed his face and looked at him.
“Are you serious?” she asked.
“As a heart attack,” he answered with a gleam in his eye. “What do you say?”
“Oh my God,” she said as he ran his hands over the delicate frills of her thong underwear. His fingers hooked under the fabric and slid along it, gently teasing her.
“Oh my God’s not exactly an answer,” he grinned, as he moved down her body and began to kiss her milky thighs.