by Sofia Sawyer
Stephanie muscled through the crowd with a cameraman in tow. “I highly doubt that if they see this footage.” She grinned at Rachel and Celeste. “It’s honest, raw, and is going to work beautifully with the launch if we decide we need to use it.”
Rachel crossed her arms, looking satisfied as she addressed Brittany. “I should remind you that you signed an NDA to be here tonight, as did the rest of the media. If any of this gets out without our approval, we’ll sue the shit out of you.”
Brittany’s jaw dropped. “But—but—"
Christopher pushed through the crowd with two security guards in tow. The guards grabbed either of Brittany’s arms, escorting her off the stage. The room erupted in applause as they pulled her away and disappeared down the stairs.
Elena turned to the crowd, appreciative tears filling her eyes. They were still here. They were still willing to support her, even after everything.
She started when a hand touched her arm and spun around to find Jackson, his eyes boring into hers. “Did you mean what you said?” he asked breathlessly as if he had been running for miles.
She reached a hand up to his face. “Every word. I love you, Jackson St. Julien.”
He pulled her into his arms and lifted her, his lips crashing down onto hers in a passionate kiss. Everyone cheered around them.
“When you didn’t answer my calls and were late, I thought we were over,” she shared as she reluctantly broke the kiss.
“I told you that I got caught up at my parents.” She nodded. “It was because I was talking to my dad.”
Her eyes widened. “Like talked talked?”
“Yeah. Once he got over the initial hurt of me not wanting to follow in his footsteps, I learned he was hurt because he felt I didn’t want to include him in my life and my business. I didn’t think he ever respected what I did. I’ve avoided him for so long because of it, but I think...I think we’re going to be okay in the end.”
“Wow.”
He slid her down to the ground, his hands still resting on her waist. “He offered to help me with my business as I continue to scale. He wants to invest so I can hire someone sooner to take over travel. Said he wouldn’t mind having me home more often. I still have to leave, but if all goes well, it won’t be for nearly as long as I’d expected.
“We got deep in discussion—catching up for lost time—and I didn’t realize I was running late. Otherwise, I would have been walking into this party with you.” Emotion filled Jackson’s face, his blue eyes sparkling. “And I would have had time to tell you that I fell in love with you, too, Elena Lucia. Maybe I always have been. But this week showed me you’re home to me. You’re someone I’d miss when I was gone and would be elated to come back to every time. I’ve never felt like this. Not until you.
“I know me leaving tomorrow isn’t ideal. I’m sure your blog boyfriend wouldn’t be the type to jet-set across the world after professing his love to you,” he half-joked. “But I want to make this work,” he said, his tone more serious now. “I know this won’t be easy, and it may take some time to figure out the whole travel thing, but I will commit to making this work. It’s not the perfect relationship you envisioned, I’m sure, but I promise to love you fiercely to the ends of the earth. Every day. Always.”
Her heart swelled to its bursting point. He was everything she didn’t know she needed in life, and she’d do whatever it took to keep him.
“Jackson, even if I could only have you for one day a year, it would be enough for me. So, yes. My answer is yes,” she answered.
A slow smile spread across his face, showing off those deep laugh lines she’d come to love. “Yes? You’re mine?”
“Absolutely.”
She reached up and kissed him again, her heart beating erratically in her chest. The crowd went wild, cheering once more as he wrapped his arms around her and held her close.
Here in his arms, Elena suddenly felt like she could take on the world...exactly as she was.
Epilogue
Elena
It had been a year since the famous outing of Always, Ella. Although everyone who had attended the wrap party had signed an NDA, someone had filmed the whole ordeal on a cell phone and leaked it wide that evening. They managed to make it untraceable, so Berkshire Media was never able to figure out who did it.
After that night, Elena’s life had taken a dramatic turn.
For the better, much to Brittany’s dismay.
Rather than Always, Ella fans completely cutting Elena off, they had embraced her whole-heartedly. After watching the leaked video and the footage Stephanie’s team had filmed, her fans supported her, commenting on her realness and bravery. Now, Always, Ella had taken on a whole new subset of people seeking advice—those looking to find their authentic selves and how to embrace it.
After going through the experience herself, their questions helped her build the confidence she needed to accept the woman who had been hidden inside all along. With each response she wrote, she felt more like herself, messy mistakes and moments of self-doubt included. And, of course, the popularity of this new blog topic had landed her another book deal Rachel was all too happy to move forward with.
The show had come out six months ago, which created a whole new flurry of superfans. Elena was thrilled to keep up with the couples after production. Maritza and Max had officially moved in together and were in talks of getting engaged soon. Ana and Zach had tried to spend more time with one another, even stopping in Charleston again for a spontaneous weekend trip. Natalie and Hari had managed to remain friends after some time apart for “soul-searching.” Natalie had started to date again and found a wonderful man she clicked with only a few months ago. Hari was enjoying a bachelor’s life. He’d decided to go back to school to make a career change, finding a new passion in software development.
And, as Celeste and Rachel had expected, Always, Ella fans instantly fell in love with “heartthrob” Jackson St. Julien. So much so that sales of his surf products spiked, affording him enough profit to hire a handful of new people to reach far and wide and bringing his vision to life in ways he never could have dreamed.
As of three months ago, Jackson had stored his duffle bag in the closet and officially set roots in Charleston, now building his business with his father by his side.
Brittany was still Brittany, desperate to see Elena fail more than ever. Soon after the whole wrap party fiasco, their employer had caught wind of Brittany’s embarrassing and unethical behavior and threatened to fire her. However, Elena had convinced him to hold off so they could finally settle the score.
That big project they had worked on for the promotion? Elena suggested that Brittany finally prove she was better than her. Elena had asked their boss to allow them to pull together a campaign for the client and to submit it blind to the decision-makers. No names on the project, no pitches in person.
In the end, the clients unanimously chose Elena’s pitch over Brittany’s. Rather than accepting the promotion she deserved, Elena decided to quit to pursue her writing career.
She would always remember the look on Brittany’s face when she told her boss she was leaving and to give Brittany the promotion.
“Don’t forget, I gave this to you,” Elena whispered to her as she left the office with a box filled with her things.
Maybe it was petty, but after all the horrible things Brittany had said to Elena over the years, she had hoped this experience would humble her. Knowing Brittany, though, it likely wouldn’t.
As for Elena’s writing career, it had skyrocketed in unexpected ways. Not only were her Always, Ella books wildly successful, but she had built such trust with the publisher and a platform of readers, that they wanted to publish her first debut fiction novel, a “coming of age” story based loosely on Elena’s childhood in Charleston.
Christopher was beyond elated Elena had finally found her writing mojo—something she could never grasp when she was dated Brad—and already put out feelers to find
production companies open to option her book for the big screen upon its completion. It all felt so surreal.
As for her and Jackson? Life was good.
Somehow, they had managed to squeeze into Elena’s beloved, tiny apartment these last three months. Thankfully, Jackson hadn’t acquired much because he had been traveling for so long, so they were able to make do. Marley was more than excited to have Jackson there, sometimes making Elena feel a little tinge of jealousy whenever Marley would cozy up to him on the couch instead.
With him settling in, they decided to find a new space to make their own somewhere close to Jackson’s new, larger warehouse and a place that had the perfect writing nook to inspire the many stories Elena planned to write for years to come.
As Elena sat across from Jackson at a small dive bar near the beach, she couldn’t help but realize how lucky she was. It was crazy to think she had met the love of her life when she was only ten years old. He’d been there, right under her nose, this whole time. Had she not gotten herself in the crazy situation with the TV show, she may have never found him again.
“You know, I never did cash in on that IOU favor for pretending to be your boyfriend,” Jackson said, taking a slow swig of his beer.
Elena cocked an eyebrow. “Oh? And what did you have in mind?”
He shrugged his shoulder nonchalantly and pulled something out from his pocket.
She gasped. A box. A jewelry box. “Jackson…”
He flipped the top open, revealing a stunning princess-cut solitaire. “Elena Lucia, every moment with you is an adventure that rivals even the most exciting destinations in the world. I want you by my side no matter where life takes us, and I want to be the man who shows you that you are enough—more than enough—every day. I’m so proud of you, baby. I’m honored to call you mine. Will you marry me?”
Happy tears filled her eyes as she popped out of her seat and wrapped her arms around his neck, kissing him deeply. “Nothing like cashing in on a favor to get a girl to marry you. You must have been nervous you couldn’t seal the deal all on your own,” she teased.
He laughed and planted a kiss on her cheek. “Hey, it’s the only way I could guarantee you’d say yes. You owe me, after all,” he joked back.
After the whirlwind experience filming Always, Ella, she’d appreciated the low-key proposal. It was just so them. It was perfect.
She plucked the ring from the box and slipped it onto her finger, loving the way it sparkled in the sunlight. “Tell you what. I’ll agree to be your wife, no favor required. You hold onto that IOU because I have some more interesting suggestions on how you can use it.” She wagged her eyebrows suggestively.
Jackson grabbed her and pulled her flush against his body. “I like where this is going,” he said as he leaned in and kissed her again.
Elena smiled against his lips as she thought about all the possibilities life had in store for them. She couldn’t wait to find out.
For the first time ever, she was okay not having every detail of her life perfectly mapped out. As long as she had him by her side, she knew everything would be fine.
About the Author
When Sofia Sawyer’s fifth-grade teacher handed her a journal, encouraging her to keep writing, she vowed she always would.
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As a lifelong storyteller, Sofia writes contemporary romances featuring independent women who take charge of their destinies. Based in Charleston, S.C., she follows her wanderlust whenever she can to new and exciting places, often finding story ideas throughout her travels.
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When she isn’t reading, writing, or jet-setting across the globe, you can find Sofia playing with her dog, taking advantage of the amazing Charleston restaurant scene, hiking, or hanging at the beach.
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