Guilty Stars

12

There’d been times through the years when I wondered about the decision to dedicate so much of myself to my relationship with Sofia, but I was now seeing those years in a new light. They were the same as the years I spent with my mom. I’d been training for what would be the most important role I’d play in my life. My duty to love and protect my wife and family. It was the greatest honor bestowed upon a man, and one I took very seriously. Now that I’d reconnected with Evie, my life seemed to come into focus. This woman was the one thing I’d been missing, and I wasn’t ever going to let her go. OceanofPDF.com EPILOGUE OceanofPDF.com EVIE She was stunning. Altogether angelic in a white lace gown that was elegant without being ostentatious. I hadn’t seen Sofia since high school, but she was just as lovely as I remembered. In fact, the joy that radiated from her face as she walked into her wedding reception arm-in-arm with her new husband enhanced her natural glow until she positively radiated. I’d been with Michael for almost three months, and this would be the first time I spoke with Sofia since graduating five years ago. Seeing his longtime love looking utterly brilliant would have shaken my confidence if I’d had even a tiny seed of doubt about Michael’s feelings for me. As it were, he made every day an opportunity to express the depth of his affection, even in simple ways like changing out a light bulb in my apartment without me even having to ask. I never even had to stress about telling him I loved him because he crossed that bridge before I ever had the chance. Michael wasn’t afraid of his feelings, and his openness gave me all the confidence in the world. I was more than happy to share in Sofia’s joy and appreciated that Michael cared for her enough to want the best for her. “They look incredibly happy,” I told him as we watched the couple greet their guests. “They do,” he mused, eyes still on his friend. “I worried he’d hurt her again, but I think that’s behind them.” His gaze finally drifted back to me. “You know, I watched her walk down that aisle, and while I admired how lovely she looked, you know what went round and round in my mind?” I shook my head, curious where his thoughts had taken him. His brows creased as he drank in my features. “All I could think about was how you’d be the most breathtaking bride in the world. Move in with me, Evie. I feel like I know you as well as I know myself, and there’s no reason to delay. I want to wake up next to you every day of my life and go to bed with you at my side. I’m not going to propose to you here because this is Sofia’s day, and I want that moment to be all about us, but I do want us to take the next step. I don’t care where we live. You tell me, and I’ll make it happen. Okay?” And that was why I loved Michael Savin. He was thoughtful and adoring and totally unconcerned with convention. When he loved, he loved wholly and without reservation. I threw my arms around his neck and brought my lips to his. We were surrounded by wedding guests, so I wasn’t comfortable giving him the kiss he deserved, but I wanted him to know how desperately grateful I was to have him. When we pulled apart, Michael smirked. “Should I take that as a yes?” I grinned and nodded. “Well, you two sure seem happy,” teased a female voice behind me. “I’d say it was the intoxication of wedding emotions, but I’d be willing to bet this has nothing to do with me.” Sofia beamed at Michael and me, her hands pressed together happily as if cheering us on. “Sof, you look absolutely beautiful. Congratulations.” He wrapped her in a warm hug before pulling back and motioning to me. “This is Evie.” To my astonishment, Sofia bounded forward, seizing me in a hug of her own. “I’m so sorry we haven’t been able to connect before today. Michael’s told me so much about you, and I definitely want to have coffee sometime once all this wedding madness settles.” “I’d love that,” I replied honestly. I didn’t have many friends, and Michael’s adoration of Sofia was all the recommendation I needed to know she would be a wonderful friend to have. Michael’s hand swept behind my back and around to my side, pulling me snugly against him. “You better get back to your receiving line, or we’ll never get to dinner,” he teased. Sofia jumped and scurried off with a wave, leaving us alone again. Michael pulled me in front of him, his front pressed against my back, and wrapped his arms around me as we continued to observe the wedding party. I’d never felt as content as I did in Michael’s arms. He was a protector and partner, lover and friend, and I couldn’t fathom how my life had worked out as beautifully as it had. “I adore you, Evie,” he whispered close to my ear. I hugged his arms against me and took a shuddering breath, silently pledging that I would never let him go. I would spend my life reflecting the love Michael showed me, grateful for every single day we had together.