“Don’t think so. I’m basically done, and Ava should be here any minute.”
“Mmm.” He moves behind the counter, and just as I’m turning away from the sink, he pins me against it. His breath feathers over the skin of my neck before he kisses it. “You need help with . . . other things?”
I roll my eyes.“Ell.I told you, Ava will be here any minute.”
He groans. “Goddammit.”
“Once we’re home, we can do whatever you want.” I slip my arms around his neck and press my lips to his.
He raises an eyebrow. “You sure you want to sign yourself up for that?”
“Most definitely,” I say with a grin. More than anything, I know I can trust him. He’d never do something I wasn’t okay with.
Leaning in, Elliot places his lips right next to my ear. “Then I’m going to tie you up, blindfold you, and watch while Rhett and Oliver use you however they want. And then, once they’ve had their fill . . .” He pulls back, and the heat in his eyes makes my stomach flip. “You’re all mine.”
Chapter forty-two
Rhett
Oneyearandsixmonths after Ludo’s death
We stand in front of the newest addition to a local conservatory. For the most part, we’ve been uninvolved in the process of building it—aside from funding it, that is.
The staff member who led us back here unlocks the door before turning to us and smiling. “It’s open now. If you need anything, just check with the front desk.”
“Thanks,” Elliot tells her as she walks off, but I barely hear.
In loving memory of Samantha Brooks.That’s what’s engraved on the metal plaque hanging above the doors. Even though there’s no logic to the thought, I wish she could be here to see this.
When I realize Elliot is staring up at the plaque as well, I know I’m not alone in my line of thinking. This place will always be bittersweet for us.
Oliver runs a comforting hand down my spine. It gives me the strength to move forward and place my hand on the doorknob. Turning, I look back at the three people who’ll never give up on me. The three people who’ve proven their dedication and their love for me over and over again.
“Ready?” I ask.
Ell smiles. “Whenever you are.”
I push the doors open, and we step in quickly before I close them behind us.
The butterfly garden is beautiful—a small section of paradise in the middle of the city. The room is filled to the brim with lush greenery, flowers, and more butterflies than I can count. The grand opening is tomorrow, but the conservatory is letting us in early.
Stopping by the entrance, I take a deep breath, inhaling the sweet scents of the flowers. I’ve gotten better at pausing to take in the little moments.
Not everything is perfect, but our days are brighter. I’ve never felt so at peace before in my life. And now, watching Wren, Ell, and Oliver meander through the butterfly garden, my heart swells. A butterfly lands on Oliver’s nose, and he freezes, a giant grin spreading across his face. It flits away after a few seconds.
“Oddly itchy,” he says, rubbing at his nose.
Wren giggles, sliding her hand into mine and tugging me closer. “What do you think?”
“It’s perfect.” Dipping my head down, I kiss her temple, breathing her in. “She would’ve loved it.”
Turning around to face me, Wren places both her hands on my chest. Her eyes hold a hint of sadness for Sammy, but her smile still lights up the room. “I’m glad, Rhett.”
Elliot slips his arm around my torso, and Oliver does the same thing on my other side. Surrounded by them, everything feels . . . stable. I know I have them for the rest of my life, no matter what.
Over the past year and a half, their support of me has been unmatched, as has mine of them. We’ve built a balanced life together—one that honors our past without holding us back from our dreams.
That’s part of the reason why we decided to have the butterfly garden built in Sam’s memory. It feels like it’s the last thing we need to fully get closure. We’ll never forget her, but in a way, this is us finally laying her to rest.
“How do you feel?” Oliver asks me.
“Good,” I say softly, pulling all of them closer.
My body doesn’t tense at their touch anymore. Thoughts of Richard are more distant, and when they do press in, I’ve found new ways to combat them. The darkness he tried so hard to immerse me in has passed.
No,I realize as I kiss each of them tenderly.It hasn’t just passed.
It’s been replaced with more love and care than I ever thought I deserved, and I’m never letting anyone take it from me again.
THE END.
