by Ava Cummings
The story was originally brokenby Jesse Martinin today’s New York Reporter. According to Martin, the crimes were uncovered by Roberts’sassistant,Anna Starr, a new hire fresh from college with, he says,“a knack forinvestigativereporting.” The former Celeb assistant may be out of a job for now, butNew York Reporter’s top editor,Daniel Woodward, said,“If she wants to workhere, she can call today.”
I shove the paper at Damien, screaming, “The story broke!” and immediately run to the couch to dial Jesse.
“What is going on in New York?” I ask him breathlessly when he answers.
“Well, let’s just say that I’ll be dating hot chicks till the end of eternity, thanks to breaking this story. I owe you big time.”
Some things never change.
“Seriously, Jesse, what’s up?”
“Okay, okay…this is how it’s gonna go down. You—and I—will have our pick of jobs. And you, Miss Starr, are the talk of the town. This is the biggest media scandal to break in years. And it’s so perfect that you’re in Cannes—with Damien Wolfe, no less. People are frothing at the mouth to learn more about you two. Everyone thinks you’re too fabulous. Starr is a star—I’ve always said it.”
“Jesse!”
“Just relax. Enjoy your anonymity. Because it’s going to be crazy balls here when you get back. Love you, doll. Gotta run. Call me when you’re back.”
I walk back out to the balcony and settle into my chair.
“We did it.”
“No, you did it, Anna.”
“Well, I couldn’t have done it without you. I needed to know that you were in my corner, that you would be there. I wouldn’t have been able to come forward without that.”
“Everything is going to be different now, you know. No going back to the old life.”
“I’m ready for the next chapter…and I’m happy I gave Jesse the exclusive. Now, he’ll be able to move on to his next chapter, too, beyond gossip reporting.”
“He definitely owes you. This is the biggest story of the year.”
“I’d say we’re pretty even,” I say, smiling back, as Damien pours me a cup of coffee. “If it weren’t for him, I wouldn’t have gotten half the reporting. Or I could’ve been dumped somewhere in the Meadowlands by Goodall, or maybe forced to be his slave.”
“I never would have let that happen. If you’re going to be anyone’s slave, it will be mine…my love slave.”
We both break into bellyaching laughter.
“You can be such a cheese ball!”
“Hey, you were laughing,” he says. “Now, why don’t you see what’s under some of these lovely silver domes?”
I lift up one and find a gorgeous fruit plate underneath; beneath another is an assortment of fresh-baked breads.
“This looks amazing,” I say, continuing to peer under the silver domes, revealing the delicacies. I reach for the one nearest me, pull the cover off, and go silent in shock.
Nestled on top of my omelet is a gleaming princess-cut diamond ring.
I look up at Damien, and he’s staring at me with the most loving expression. Instantly, my eyes pool with tears and a tiny sob escapes. He really is my prince—my handsome, hot, creative, patient, supportive, sexy prince.
He jumps up, walks over to me, bends down on one knee, and takes my left hand in his, grabbing the ring with the other.
“Anna, you are my soul mate. I knew from the first moment I saw you at the Bubble Lounge, from across the room. And I was even more certain at the Whitney. That electricity between us…it was like a connection had been made that was predestined.
“You inspire me to be a better man, every day. And for the first time in my life, with you, I feel I’m able to fight my demons. I know now that I don’t need to be my father. I don’t need to suffer the same fate. With you, I can break the cycle. With you, my muse, my inspiration, my love, my everything. I don’t need to choose; I can have it all in one woman, and it doesn’t have to end in tragedy. I believe in you. I believe in us.”
My mind reels. I feel so many of the same things. With Damien, I can overcome my past. With his unquestioning support and fierce, loyal love, I will have the strength and confidence to tackle my dad, my pain, and the scariest thing of all: the unknown.
We’re like two halves that together make a whole.
“You are the most beautiful, caring, smart, feisty, sexy, complicated, sensitive, deeply loving person, and you make me the happiest man alive. Anna Starr, will you marry me?”
There really can be a handsome prince who rescues the girl, though he may come in a different package from the version in the movies. Mine is way sexier, gets me to my core, and is fueled by a creative passion that pervades his being and inspires me in the most glorious way. I know I can trust him with my heart, all of my heart.
“Yes! I will. I will, with every square inch of me.”
Damien slides the ring on my finger, scoops me up from the chair with his strong arms, and carries me to the bedroom.
“Now,” he says with a loving smile, “let’s make it official.”