He’d chosen her. And he was giving her the reins, letting her decide whether or not they continued.
She swayed towards him, resting her head on his chest, and his arms wrapped around her.
“Rachel,” he breathed. “I’m so sorry. I love you.”
“I love you, too,” she admitted, and felt his arms squeeze tighter. She tugged away, turning to look him in the face. “Don’t ever hurt me like that again.”
“I won’t. I promise.” He leaned down, kissing her tear away, stroking her hair.
“Maybe we’ll take it slow,” she said.
“Whatever speed you need,” he agreed. “I told you before, I’d wait. We’ll make this work.”
She curled against him. Then she leaned up, brushing a kiss against his mouth. It tasted sweeter than their others – more tender, more real.
She trusted him. He’d made his choice, and he’d chosen her. It felt unbelievable, and at the same time, unmistakable.
“Maybe we won’t take it slow,” she said, then kissed him with a little more hunger, a little more intent.
He groaned against her lips. “Anything,” he said, “for you.”
Epilogue
It was a fortunate sunny day in Seattle, and Rachel stood in her cap and gown in line, just waiting for…
“Rachel Frost!”
Rachel stepped up to the podium, accepting her diploma with a handshake, and felt her heart soar.
Her MBA. She’d worked her ass off for this for the past three years. Now, it felt like she was free, and like the world was opening up to her like a picture book, full of options and color and life.
She looked back into the crowds, where she could see her family and friends cheering her on. Hailey had her phone up, and was no doubt video-relaying it all back to Cressida and Noah at the bookstore. The women from girls’ night were all out in force, clapping and whistling, all with their respective boyfriends.
And there was Ren, who was smiling broadly and applauding like she’d won the Nobel prize.
They’d been inseparable for the past four months. He had taken a month off to just “decompress” and figure out what he wanted. She was still living at the bookstore, since it was still so much closer to work. But he’d stayed the night during the week, making or buying her meals, doing dishes, and generally helping out around the house. Thankfully, he’d slowly won Hailey over with his devotion.
Now, he was working as a COO for a company in Seattle. It was a smaller, family-run business, one that made marine parts for ships. He wasn’t making nearly his salary at Chu, but it was still decent, and as he said, “I get to have my time and my soul back.” He made sure he had weekends off and got home at a decent hour, something his boss insisted on for all employees.
After the ceremony, Rachel walked to her friends and family, who cheered and pulled her into a group embrace. “You did it!” Kyla said, with another hug.
“Grandma Frost would be so proud of you,” Hailey said, looking emotional. Then she cleared her throat, waving at her eyes. “I am not going to start crying!”
Everyone laughed at that. Hailey, tough-as-nails Hailey, was not the type to burst into tears.
“Okay, Cressida’s holding down the fort in Snoqualmie, so what say we head back and start that graduation party?” Mallory said, with a smile.
There was another set of cheers. Rachel put a hand on Ren’s arm, holding him back. “We’ll be right behind you!” she called to the disappearing crowd. Then she pulled him aside.
He looked puzzled. “You all right?”
“I just can’t believe this year,” she said. “The things that have happened to all of us. Cressida’s kicking ass with the bookstore, and Hailey’s going to Australia with Jake for a Mystics convention there, and now I’ve got my MBA.”
“It’s been a lot,” he agreed. “I changed jobs – and I got back together with you.”
He’d been so careful. He hadn’t pressured her about them moving in together. He’d let her set the pace for all their interactions. He was trying to make it up to her, trying to keep her in the driver’s seat.
“I’m moving out of the bookstore.”
He froze. “Oh?” She could tell from his expression that he wanted to put in a request, but he didn’t. “Have any ideas where you’d be moving to?”
“I don’t exactly,” she said. “But I’m thinking of looking for a job in the city. I’ll still work at the bookstore in an administrative capacity, but Hailey and Cressida have the rest locked down – they don’t really need me. And I think I’ve outgrown the casino.”
“So, you’re thinking Seattle.”
She could see how hard he was biting his tongue. She was amazed at his restraint.
“Ren,” she finally said gently, “you can ask.”
“Would you consider moving in with me?” The words tumbled out in a rush. “It’s only been four months, I know, but…”
“It’s been four great months,” she said, and he put his arms around her, kissing her forehead. “I was thinking of something else, though.”
He stared into her eyes. “Yes?”
“I know how careful you’ve been, and I love that,” she said. “But you don’t need to keep walking on eggshells with me. I know you’re committed. I know just how important you think I am.”
“I’ve tried every day to show that,” he said.
“So I was thinking…” And now her throat burned, and her stomach jittered with nerves, “maybe we could take this to the next level.”
He tilted his head, uncomprehending.
“I’m committed to you, too,” she said. “And I never stopped loving you. We might’ve been too young, but I think we ultimately knew what we wanted, and where we belonged.”
He stared at her, then it was like Christmas and New Year’s and the Fourth of July, all rolled into one. “You mean…”
“We could consider it,” she whispered. “Unless…”
He reached into his suit coat pocket, producing a velvet box. Her jaw dropped as he got down on one knee, opening the box to reveal a diamond engagement ring. It was oval cut, not too flashy. Elegant and beautiful. Just what she loved.
“Rachel,” he said, his breathing harsh. “Would you marry me?”
She raised her hands to her mouth. “Holy shit,” she said. “Were you going to propose today? I mean, did you already have that planned?”
His grin was tight. “I’ve been carrying this damned ring around for the past four months,” he said. “Just on the off chance you’d say you were open to it.”
She burst into laughter.
“That’s still not a yes,” he said, and she could see the vulnerability in his eyes.
“That’s a yes,” she responded, and he got to his feet, kissing the hell out of her. Then he pulled back, slipping the ring on her finger, and kissed her again.
“All right then, future Mrs. Chu,” he said, holding her tight, his eyes smoldering. “Let’s go get you to your party… and then I’m going to take you home and show you just what your future holds.”
Her body thrilled at the thought. “Lead the way,” she said, and they walked into their future together.
About the Author
Author Photograph © Linda Gossett Raderman
Cathy Yardley is an award-winning author of romance, chick lit, and urban fantasy, who has sold over 1.2 million copies of books for publishers like St. Martin’s, Avon, and Harlequin. She writes fun, geeky, and diverse characters who believe that underdogs can make good and sometimes being a little wrong is just right. She spends her time writing in the wilds of Eastern Washington with her husband, son, and three dogs.
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COPYRIGHT PAGE
This is a work of fiction. All of the characters, organizations, and events portrayed in this novel are either products of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously.
SHIP OF FOOLS Copyright 2019 by Cathy Wilson. All rights reserved.
First edition: June 2019
Ship of Fools Page 17