by Zahra Girard
I look at her with confidence, and I can see she feels it. Some of the doubt that was in her eyes just seconds ago disappears even before I open my mouth.
“First things first, Lochlan and Eoghan and anyone actually dangerous is already either convicted, or will be soon. I wouldn’t have contacted you if I hadn’t been sure you’d be safe.”
“Ok, but what about—”
I interrupt her. “Second, testifying and interviews only happen a couple times a month and, if the pricks watching over me have a problem with you being around, I’ll tell them to go fuck themselves. I’m more valuable to them as a cooperative witness than anything else.”
She nods. I can tell she’s happy that we’re not breaking too many major rules right now by being together, but, she’s still got her questions. She wouldn’t be my Evelyn if she didn’t. “Yes, ok, but what about my job? And what about you?”
“Lass, I’ve got more than enough put away. If I need something to keep me busy, I’m sure someone famous in Los Angeles could use a bodyguard. As for you… I’ve read your stuff. I’m probably the only subscriber to the Cambridge Chronicle in the whole city of Los Angeles. You’re good. You could work anywhere.”
She looks at me with beaming eyes. “You think so?”
“I do. You’re like the next Linda Greenhouse or Katharine Graham.”
That gets a look from her.
“How do you even know those names?”
“I read,” I say.
I may or may not have studied up some other famous female journalists. I have a lot of spare time and it’s important to her. Turns out not to be as boring as I would’ve thought.
“I saw your book collection, Connor. It was all Breast Connoisseur and Ass Fancy,” she says, rolling her eyes.
“No, actually, the ones you’re thinking of are Breast Aficionado and Ass Connoisseur. Look, I started reading this other sort of stuff because I wanted to know more about what you do. I have to admit, it wasn’t so bad.”
Now, she’s full-on gaping at me.
It takes her a second to close her mouth.
She’s sexy as hell when she’s gaping at me. I’ll have to surprise her more often.
“Ok, fine, let’s say we try and make it work. How? I mean, you can’t come back to Boston, can you?”
I shake my head, but I’m still smiling.
I thought this shit out.
I planned.
“I can’t go back to Boston… yet. I can when this is over. And I still own my apartment. There’s nothing that says we can’t live in both places: here and Boston. The point is, Evelyn, I love you. And I will do whatever it takes to be with you We can make this work — we’ve done tougher things.”
“Ok,” she says, nodding slowly, and I can see she’s processing it, running it over inside her head, asking silent questions.
I give her a second, even though I’m bursting with excitement. I’ve got her back, she’s here, beside me, and I want her to stay mine.
“So, Whiskey Gal, what do you say?”
She looks thoughtful for a moment, her eyes downcast, and I can’t hear anything but the beating of my heart. Every part of me is crying out for her to say ‘yes’. My palms are sweaty and my mouth is dry and I try not to show it. I don’t want to do or say anything that would change her mind about staying with me.
It seems to take forever before she looks up.
“Do you want to know something, Connor? Something really important?”
“Sure, lass. What is it?”
“I didn’t buy a return ticket.”
I hesitate. “You mean?”
She doesn’t answer. She leans in and I see my chance and I take it. I kiss her. Long and slow and with love.
We pause a moment and she looks up at me with eyes glittering with happiness.
“I’m all yours.”
Epilogue
Connor
I’ve come a long way in my life. From a no-good kid running wild on the streets of Boston, to a no-good even-bigger kid also running wild on the streets of Boston.
But, eventually, I knew I’d wind up here: the courthouse.
In front of a judge.
I just can’t stay out of trouble.
But this time, I’m not alone.
I look over at Evelyn. My Evie.
Fuck, she’s beautiful.
She’s changed my life. If it weren’t for her, I’d be here under entirely different circumstances.
Well, that or the morgue.
“Mr. Teeling, it is my understanding that you and Ms. Thomson wish to be married today, is that correct?” The judge says.
“Yes, your honor,” I answer.
My voice echoes against the stone walls of the courthouse chamber.
Our wedding party is small. There’s a few of Evelyn’s friends — Karen, Mark, and a few others who flew in to Boston for the wedding. And her family, of course.
My party is even smaller. Most of my friends are in jail now. Except my adopted sisters, and they’re here, and they look so damn proud.
My parents are here, too. My dad might be on oxygen, but he’s here. And that means the world.
Evelyn saved me.
All this happiness and pride is because of her.
“Then, let’s begin,” the judge says.
“Actually, wait a minute,” Evelyn says.
A murmur rises from the people seated behind us, and I give her a sideways glance. Partly out of surprise, partly because she looks so damn good in that wedding dress.
“What’s the matter, lass? Cold feet?”
She nods. “Yes, as a matter of fact. I have cold feet about marrying Jameson Teeling. You said you were going to have it changed before we got married. I do not want that abomination of a name on our marriage certificate.”
“I might’ve forgot about that. Sorry,” I say.
Actually, I’m not really sorry. I know she doesn’t see it, but Jameson Teeling is a fucking great name and she should be honored to be the Mrs. Jameson Teeling.
“Thought as much,” she says. Then, she turns around and reaches into her purse, which is on the bench behind her. “Your Honor, are you able to certify name changes?”
The Judge looks a bit surprised, but nods anyway. “I can.”
Evelyn pulls out a few sheets of paper. “Then, I have here all the paperwork we’ll need to change Jameson Teeling’s name back to Connor Halloran.”
“You don’t have to do this, lass,” I start to say, but shut up when she gives me a death-stare.
She hands the paper over to the judge, who looks them over, signs them, then hands them back to her. “Just turn those in to the court clerk and it’ll become a matter of official record. But, I need to remind you, miss, you’ll need to file an updated marriage application before we can continue with the ceremony.”
She reaches into her purse again, and pulls out another set of papers. “Already done,” she says.
Fuck, she’s good.
“Excuse me, Mr. Halloran?” The Judge says from the bench.
Everyone in the courthouse looks at me, in a bit of shock. Except for Evelyn, who’s looking at me with a mix of love and blushing embarrassment.
Shit, I must’ve said that out loud.
“Sorry, your honor,” I say.
I’m a bit out of it, to say the least. I really liked that name and I was looking forward to teasing Evelyn about it. As any good husband does.
“Well, since everything seems to be in order, let us begin,” the Judge says. “Mr. Halloran, do you take Ms. Thomson to be your lawfully wedded wife?”
“Fuck yes, I do.”
I say that without any hesitation or regret. Cause I’ll be damned if I contain any of the affection I feel for this lass.
“And, Ms. Thomson, do you take Mr. Halloran to be your lawfully wedded husband?”
“I do,” she says. She stares right at me as she says it, her eyes so beautiful, so bright. She’s everything to me. My Evie. My Whiske
y Gal.
“Then, by the power vested in me by the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, I now pronounce you husband and wife. You may kiss the bride, Mr. Halloran. But keep it decent, alright?”
I laugh. This judge gets me.
Then, I kiss the woman of my dreams.
And I do it proper. I let her know how much she means to me. I kiss her like my life depends on it.
“Mr. Halloran?” the Judge starts from the bench.
I flip him the bird and I keep kissing Evelyn.
Fuck you, Judge.
It’s not until chatter rises from our wedding party that I think about stopping. But Evelyn’s got a grip on the back of my head and our lips are locked together.
We keep going until it sounds like everyone’s going to get up and try to physically pry us apart.
“I love you so much, Connor,” she whispers into my ear.
I smile, letting her words soak in.
I’m bursting with pride right now. I just snagged the woman of my dreams. Evelyn changed me and every day I strive to be a better man. For her. Even if it’s not as Jameson Teeling.
“I love you, too,” I say.
And I’ll never get tired of saying it.
*****The End****
Thank you so much for reading! To get more about Connor and Evelyn, sign up for my newsletter here: http://eepurl.com/csR_j9
There will be a subscribers-only epilogue going out on December 25th to add a little heat to your Christmas.
Author's Note
Thank you so much for reading! I really do try and bring you the best in romance. I love danger, bad boys, and strong, sassy heroines. To keep up with my latest releases, sign up for my newsletter: http://eepurl.com/csR_j9
Best wishes,
Zahra
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