“I feel the same way. You know, I actually had a plan,” she said, hanging her head and laughing to herself as she thought about the ridiculous idea that she’d need props to show her level of commitment. “I was going to find you tonight. And beg you for another chance.”
“Begging would not have been required. Like, at all.” One look and she could see Briana was all in.
“But, Briana, there is something we need to talk about,” she said, remembering her coffee chat with Trevor.
“What is it, baby?”
Briana touched her face, and oh my God, she almost melted. Whether it was her use of her favorite endearment or her gentle touch or the absolute love in her eyes, she wasn’t sure. But in that moment Dylan knew that everything really was going to be okay. This wasn’t the end. Not even close. It was the beginning. Without even thinking Dylan leaned forward and kissed Briana with every last ounce of love in her body.
She felt Briana’s hands in her hair, and she heard the baby moans she’d missed as they fell into a deep, loving kiss that she never wanted to end.
“Not that I want to stop this,” Briana said as she pulled back. “You said you wanted to talk about something. And you sounded kind of ominous. It’s got me a little spooked.”
“It’s not anything to worry about.” Dylan touched their foreheads together as she spoke. “You did everything for us. For the case. For our relationship.” Briana’s lips parted, and Dylan didn’t know whether she was going to plead her case or brush it off. “Shh,” she said, placing a finger on her full lips. “I never thanked you. For putting us first. Above everything else.”
“You are the most important thing in my life. No contest.”
“The thing is, I feel the same. And I hate to admit this, but it took me forever to realize I could make some compromises too. And mine aren’t nearly as drastic.”
“I don’t understand what you’re saying.”
“It’s not fair that you gave up your career for mine.” Dylan was embarrassed to say the words out loud. How had she been so dense? Regardless, this was her chance to make it right. Better late than never, after all. “I talked to Trevor today at the hospital,” she said. “I know it’s a little late, but if you want your old job back, I can figure out a transfer. There might even be a way to stay within Major Case. Kind of bounce around between the teams who have cases with other AUSAs.” She and Trevor had come up with the idea of Dylan acting in a kind of utility role for the entire Major Case Division. “But even if that doesn’t work out, I’ll land somewhere.” It didn’t even matter. She’d happily go back to patrol if it meant having Briana in her life. “I’m not pressuring you,” Dylan added, just to be clear. “Please don’t think that I am. Especially now that my offer comes as the case is ending and because I was such a baby about you working for JJ.” Her reaction had been so juvenile, it was mortifying. “I can’t change the past—I wish I could,” she said, admitting the truth. “But I can do better going forward, and I will. You have my word.”
“I appreciate that.” Briana kissed her lightly. “The offer does get me right here.” She covered her heart. “For the record, in a million years I would never have let you leave this investigation. You are the case.”
“That’s not true.”
“Eh.” She scrunched her nose. “Debatable.” Briana traced an outline on her forearm, and Dylan felt her heart speed up at the innocent contact. “If I’m being truly honest, though, I’m happy where I am. The timing wasn’t great. But I doubt I would’ve made the leap without the circumstances, and I think it’s going to be a good career move.”
“Wow. That’s fantastic.”
“It’s a good firm. JJ is a fair boss. I’m learning a lot, and it’s exciting. Invigorating, in a way.” Her expression said she was beyond content there. “Are you okay with that?”
“Of course.”
“Even the JJ part?”
“Look, it’s possible she’s not the ogre I make her out to be. I know that.” Dylan shrugged and swallowed her pride. “I put up a wall with people.” She hoped baring her soul wasn’t a total turnoff, but there was no room for pretense. Not with Briana. “It’s entirely possible I could benefit from some therapy,” she said frankly.
“No walls with me.” Briana’s order was firm and sweet.
“No walls with you,” Dylan repeated.
“Do you promise?”
“Yes, ma’am. So does this mean we’re back?” Dylan asked just to make it official.
“I hope so.” Briana held her hand as she stood up. “Otherwise I’ve been sitting here for hours for no reason.”
“Hours?” Dylan felt instantly guilty even though the events of the day had been beyond her control.
“S’okay.” Briana gave her hip a light squeeze. “You’re worth the wait.”
“I guess we need to get you some keys,” Dylan said.
“Ooh, big step,” Briana teased.
“Yeah, well”—Dylan dropped a peck on her cheek—“turns out I love you.”
Briana’s cheeks were beautiful and rosy when she responded, “I love you too.”
“Mm.” Dylan ticked her head from side to side like she was deep in thought. “I love you more.”
“Not possible.” Briana stuck her tongue out in jest.
“Totally possible,” Dylan said as she unlocked the door to her apartment.
Briana arched one eyebrow in challenge. “But can you prove it?”
“You attorneys.” Dylan sighed and shook her head. “Always hell-bent on having proof.”
Briana laughed her giggle of a laugh, and Dylan heard genuine happiness filter through. It evoked a level of joy and comfort and strength and confidence greater than she’d ever imagined.
Despite her joking around, Dylan planned on proving the depth of her love and commitment every minute of every day. Because Briana was The One. Endgame. OTP. All the euphemisms put together. Plain and simple, they were meant to be. She knew it in her heart. She felt it in her bones. It was honestly all she could do to keep from proposing right on the spot. She smiled to herself, certain that day would inevitably come.
She pulled Briana close and kissed her with everything she had, with everything she was, so ready to start living the dream right here and now.
Epilogue
One Year Later
A reading from the book of Ruth.
A selection of Rilke poetry.
Vows.
The exchange of rings.
Cocktail hour, followed by dinner and dancing.
Briana flipped the program over only to find the reverse was blank, save the date and the names of the bride and groom printed in fancy script at the very bottom of the page. She placed the paper on the seat next to her to hold the spot for Dylan as she took in the amazing skyline.
Steel and glass and skyscrapers against a vibrant pink sky, the East River in the distance, love in the air, and the hum of the greatest city in the world below. Briana felt the spirit of the celebration wash over her even though she’d be more inclined to choose a beach venue when that day came. Nonetheless, Trevor and Cate were lucky. For each other, yes, but also because a mid-July rooftop wedding in New York City was a serious gamble. But the evening was warm and pleasant, and the romantic energy nothing short of contagious.
From her seat Briana spotted Dylan with Shawn chatting up Trevor as he shuffled from foot to foot under the wedding trellis. They were probably talking him down from any last-minute jitters, although she imagined with a year of parenting under his belt, he didn’t scare too easily. Dylan clapped him on the back and looked over her shoulder doing a double-take at making eye contact. She smiled her unbelievably sexy smile, and Jesus Christ, even two years in it still made her giddy like a teenager. She felt her heart speed up when Dylan walked toward her.
“Is he having cold feet?” she asked.
“Nah.” Dylan moved her program and slid onto the seat beside her. “He’s mostly just nervous that the baby will be
fussy during the ceremony. It’s almost her bedtime.”
“She’s been good so far.” Briana crossed her fingers on their behalf just as Lt. Nieves scooted past her to grab the empty chair next to Dylan.
“Briana, we miss you,” Nieves said in greeting. He inched forward to look past Dylan. “Is there any chance you’ll come back to us?” He whacked Dylan’s knee with his wedding program. “Dylan is expendable.” His smile was big and his laugh hearty, and she appreciated his good-natured plea for her return to her old government gig.
“It’s funny, Patrick just asked me the same thing,” Briana said, boiling the fifteen-minute conversation she’d had with her former supervisor down to one line.
“I did notice you two chatting,” Nieves said, giving himself up. “I guess I’m hoping there’s strength in numbers.”
“From where I sit, O’Rourke is doing good things.” The press had buzzed with news of the grand jury indictment just last month. “If Dylan’s hours are anything to go by, things are busy.” Briana wasn’t complaining—she simply loved to be able to be open about their union.
“Oh, you’re right. O’Rourke is fine. But he’s not you. We miss your…your…” He seemed to be searching for the right word as he waved his rolled-up program in a semicircle. “I don’t know what I’m trying to say, really,” he said. “He’s just not you.”
Briana was touched. She knew Nieves didn’t expect her to say yes, the same way she knew Dylan was most definitely not expendable. The amount of weekly overtime her girlfriend put in proved that point. But even though working with Nieves hadn’t always been smooth, he was paying her a compliment. The look on his face said his sentiment was one hundred percent genuine. “That’s very nice of you to say, Dan.” She gave him her best professional smile. “I think I’m going to sit tight a bit longer.”
The truth was in the last year she’d felt herself blossom in ways she hadn’t ever imagined. Civil litigation pushed her just far enough outside her comfort zone to force innovation and ingenuity. Thinking outside the box sharpened her skills and honed her craft. She was happy, and her career was thriving. She still felt certain her path would lead back to the United States Attorney’s Office, but she was in no rush. For now, she was loving her life. Working hard made playing hard that much more enjoyable. And she relished every minute with Dylan. Whether they were hand in hand strolling their neighborhood or cuddling in front of the gas-lit fireplace in the apartment that had officially been her home for over a year, Briana never tired of spending time with Dylan. In fact, she was counting down the hours until it was just the two of them.
“What time is our flight in the morning?” she whispered.
“Early,” Dylan said with a laugh. “I know we’ll be tired after partying tonight, but I was eager when I booked.” Her wince was playfully apologetic. “But a week on the beach will give us plenty of time to recover,” she offered in consolation.
“I love that Trevor’s tying the knot, but we’re taking the honeymoon vacation.”
“Eh, we’ve earned it. And he’s got a needy one-year-old. We, thankfully, do not.”
Yet, she thought. It was crazy that such a thing even popped into her head. But then her thinking on everything had evolved exponentially in the last twenty-four months. For the moment, her career was still ranked above the desire to have a baby, but motherhood no longer seemed out of the realm of possibility. Being with Dylan had taught her that she didn’t have to choose one life over the other. With the right person, everything was attainable. Love, career, family.
Dylan leaned in and kissed her cheek softly. “What about Antigua?”
“What about it?” she asked. “Is that where Trevor and Cate are headed?”
“No.” Dylan shook her head. “They’re honeymooning in Myrtle Beach. The whole family is going. Like a reunion kind of thing.”
“Right. Fun.” Briana remembered Dylan giving her the details a while back. “So what’s with Antigua?” she asked.
“I don’t know.” She looked cute and impish, like she had something up her sleeve. “The pictures online look amazing. There’s these beautiful beaches. We could stay in one of those cool tiki hut things right on the water.”
“That sounds fancy. I like it,” she said with an enthusiastic eyebrow raise and a silly giggle. “But why are we talking about Antigua when we’re going to Aruba tomorrow?”
“I just think it’s not a terrible idea to plan some things ahead of time. And to treat ourselves. For special occasions,” Dylan said. “You know…vacations and stuff.”
“We haven’t even gone on this vacation yet, and you’re planning the next one.” Briana smiled even though she was a little lost at the direction the conversation had taken. “I love it.”
“Maybe I want to lock you in.” Dylan reached for her hand. “This way there’s no chance of you skipping out on me.”
“As if.”
“I don’t know, Bri.” Dylan made a point of scanning over the guests. “You’re far and away the most gorgeous person here. Also the smartest, the sweetest, the sexiest.” She looked down at their linked hands. “Sometimes I still can’t believe you’re with me.”
The look on Dylan’s gorgeous face was vulnerable and adorable and charming as hell. “Hey,” Briana said just as the band started the first chords of Pachelbel’s Canon in D. The entire congregation turned to see the bride, but for a split second she and Dylan were face-to-face. Briana held the eye contact, and it was as though everyone and everything around them blurred into oblivion. “It’s you and me, baby. Forever.”
“Promise?”
“I do.”
Her answer felt oddly like a vow, and Dylan didn’t miss it. Briana saw her confident, magnetic smile emerge.
“I like that answer,” Dylan said with a wink and a subtle squeeze of her hand. It was in that small moment when she pieced it together. A beach getaway, plans for another a year down the line. Dylan was gearing up to propose. Briana saw the love in Dylan’s eyes, and she felt it deep in her own soul. It had been there since nearly day one, if she was honest. But now, on the brink of a pivotal milestone she never even knew she wanted, her heart beat loud and erratic with excitement and anticipation. She envisioned the twists and turns a lifetime of true love and commitment promised. It was daunting and alluring and scary and enticing. And so full of Dylan.
She couldn’t wait to say yes.
About the Author
Maggie Cummings is the author of six novels including the Bay West Social series. She hails from Staten Island, NY, where she lives with her wife and their two children. She spends the bulk of her time shuttling kids and procrastinating writing. To pay the bills, she works as a police captain in Brooklyn commanding a squad of detectives, which sounds way more exciting than it is. She is a complete sucker for indulgent TV, kettle cooked potato chips, and pedestrian chocolate.
Books Available From Bold Strokes Books
Aurora by Emma L McGeown. After a traumatic accident, Elena Ricci is stricken with amnesia, leaving her with no recollection of the last eight years, including her wife and son. (978-1-63555-824-1)
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Bulletproof by Maggie Cummings. For Dylan Prescott and Briana Logan, the complicated NYC criminal justice system doesn’t leave room for love, but where the heart is concerned, no one is bulletproof. (978-1-63555-771-8)
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No Regrets by Joy Argento. For Jodi and Beth, the possibility of losing their future will force them to decide what is really important. (978-1-63555-751-0)
The Holiday Treatment by Elle Spencer. Who doesn’t want a gay Christmas movie? Holly Hud
son asks herself that question and discovers that happy endings aren’t only for the movies. (978-1-63555-660-5)
Too Good to be True by Leigh Hays. Can the promise of love survive the realities of life for Madison and Jen, or is it too good to be true? (978-1-63555-715-2)
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Two to Tangle by Melissa Brayden. Ryan Jacks has been a player all her life, but the new chef at Tangle Valley Vineyard changes everything. If only she wasn’t off the menu. (978-1-63555-747-3)
When Sparks Fly by Annie McDonald. Will the devastating incident that first brought Dr. Daniella Waveny and hockey coach Luca McCaffrey together on frozen ice now force them apart, or will their secrets and fears thaw enough for them to create sparks? (978-1-63555-782-4)
Best Practice by Carsen Taite. When attorney Grace Maldonado agrees to mentor her best friend’s little sister, she’s prepared to confront Perry’s rebellious nature, but she isn’t prepared to fall in love. Legal Affairs: one law firm, three best friends, three chances to fall in love. (978-1-63555-361-1)
Home by Kris Bryant. Natalie and Sarah discover that anything is possible when love takes the long way home. (978-1-63555-853-1)
Keeper by Sydney Quinne. With a new charge under her reluctant wing—feisty, highly intelligent math wizard Isabelle Templeton—Keeper Andy Bouchard has to prevent a murder or die trying. (978-1-63555-852-4)
One More Chance by Ali Vali. Harry Basantes planned a future with Desi Thompson until the day Desi disappeared without a word, only to walk back into her life sixteen years later. (978-1-63555-536-3)
Renegade’s War by Gun Brooke. Freedom fighter Aurelia DeCallum regrets saving the woman called Blue. She fears it will jeopardize her mission, and secretly, Blue might end up breaking Aurelia’s heart. (978-1-63555-484-7)
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