It Was Only a Kiss

EPILOGUE



Six weeks later Jess’s family swept in en masse to an exhibition of Katelyn Kirby’s paintings. They were surrounded by an amazing collection that had the art world buzzing—but what was the first thing her mother said on seeing her?

‘He still hasn’t put a ring on your finger!’

Jess rolled her eyes and pulled her left hand out from her mother’s grasp. ‘Mum! Luke and I are getting married in six months’ time. An engagement ring is not going to change that.’

‘Every girl should have a ring!’ Liza stated.

‘And I’ll get one...when Luke finds exactly what he is looking for,’ Jess told her, and turned to greet the rest of her extensive family. ‘You’re late. Luke is about to do his speech.’ Jess snagged her father’s jacket and pulled him back. ‘Dad, you can view the art later...come here.’

Clem made her way to stand next to her and slipped an arm around her waist. ‘It’s good to see you so happy, Jess. You are happy?’

‘Absolutely.’

‘And how are you coping with your business?’ Clem asked, taking a glass of champagne from a hovering waiter.

‘Ally has picked up the reins and is not letting go. I have very little to do with the Sandton office except for designing the initial concepts.’

‘And the Cape Town office?’ Nick asked from his position behind Clem.

Jess looked rueful. ‘I haven’t set it up yet, and I don’t know if I’m going to. I’ve been doing a bit of consulting here and there, looking after clients in the city.’

Clem lowered her voice. ‘And St Sylve? Is it on a bit more of an even keel?’

Jess looked past Clem’s shoulder at Luke. ‘There’s been a pick-up in sales and that’s encouraging. I’m also renovating the manor house to turn it into a venue suitable for small weddings, functions...family weekends away, so I’m swamped. Happily, crazily busy. We’re designing a house that we want to build on the other side of the farm, and...’

‘And Luke keeps you busy...?’ Nick added dryly.

Jess fluffed her hair and grinned. ‘He most certainly does—and in the most delightful ways possible.’

Nick scowled. ‘Blergh.’

Jess laughed and stood in the middle of the half-circle her family made. She watched Luke, looking tall and strong and amazingly attractive in his black tuxedo, step up to the podium. She felt the glow in her stomach when he looked for her, and his eyes were warm and loving when they connected with hers. They were wildly in love and amazingly happy. Jess, ring or not, considered herself a very lucky woman.

Luke looked around the room and smiled. ‘Welcome to this exhibition of Katelyn Kirby’s art—my mother’s art. As most of you know, she died when I was really young, but this huge collection of her work has recently come to light and I wanted to share her talent with the world. Some of the paintings here are not for sale—my fiancée, Jess, and I have decided to keep some—but the rest of her art, including her sketches for jewellery designs and sculptures, are being sold to raise money for a foundation we’ve established in her name to fund the training of talented, disadvantaged young artists.’

A few minutes later Jess watched as Luke walked towards her, with that slow, sexy smile on his face. He greeted her family before dropping a sexy kiss on her mouth. His green eyes sparkled as he looked down at her.

‘I have a present for you,’ he said.

Jess did a little dance in her ice-pick heels. ‘You do? Will I like it?’

‘I hope so. It has the added benefit of getting your mum to stop nagging you—and me.’ Luke sent Liza a full, teasing look and grinned widely when she wrinkled her nose at him. Turning back to Jess, he pulled out a box from his pocket and flipped open the lid.

Jess stared down at the soft, romantic, deeply unusual ring. It was unique—swirls of gold and platinum, with a deep sapphire winking up at her.

Luke’s voice was laced with emotion when he slipped it on to her finger. ‘My mum designed it, and when I saw her sketch I thought of you—thought that she’d drawn it with you in mind. I snuck it out of her portfolio before you could see it so that it would be a surprise. What do you think?’

Jess bit her lip in an effort to hold back her tears. ‘I love it. I love you.’

Luke cupped her face with his big hands. ‘Love you more.’

Nick broke the emotionally charged moment. ‘Jeez, Savage, if you’re going to get soppy you’ll end up being our least-favourite brother-in-law,’ he drawled. ‘It puts far too much pressure on the rest of us to be romantic.’

Luke grinned at Nick, Jess plastered to his side. ‘I’ll be your only brother-in-law,’ he pointed out.

Nick pulled a face, laughter in his eyes. ‘You’re it? Then I definitely need another large drink!’

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