I must have misunderstood.
“Yes, Ava. I am,” Kellan says slowly. “Or why else do you think I’d be talking about destiny and all that stuff?” He cocks his head, a naughty grin on his lips. “So, the answer is…”
“No.” There is no doubt about it. I can’t lie. “I love you, too, Kellan,” I whisper. “I love you, but you can be a jerk. There’s no way, absolutely no way, I’m getting married to you after six days. That’s crazy. That’s insane.”
“I love crazy and insane.” He laughs at my horrified expression. “In fact, this is such a great idea. That ‘no’ of yours—” he winks “—we’ll see about that. I tricked you once, you know, when you didn’t want to fuck me. I did it again when I persuaded you to stay. What are the chances the third time’s a charm?”
“I’m pretty sure that’s not how the saying goes, and it sure doesn’t fit the context,” I say, annoyed that, yes, he’s been pretty good at persuading me, and I didn’t even notice. “Kellan, we’re not getting married just because you feel the need to get your way with me.”
“Okay,” he says, nodding.
I narrow my eyes because I don’t trust him. He’s never been one to give up easily. “Okay? Just like that?”
“Sure. Whatever you say, baby.” His lips find mine in a sweet kiss that soon turns not so sweet after all, as his hands begin to roam over my ass and travel places.
EPILOGUE
Two years later
If I had known that my first meeting with Kellan would be followed with the loss of his sister, I would have accepted his first offer sooner and ignored my mind harder, if only to join him faster. If only to ease his mourning. It’s clear that her death made him face his own demons and question his own beliefs, that she is the reason for the immense change in his life.
It’s a slow process. Healing can take time, but I’m patient and confident.
While he doesn’t blame himself for her death anymore, I still sense his regret for not being home when she was here.
I would have loved to meet Clara. I think we would have bonded. And it’s thanks to her that Kellan’s life is where he wants it to be.
He’s different now compared to the first time we met. The arrogance is almost gone. Left behind is a caring, down-to-earth, and committed man. He says that’s who he was before he became famous. I don’t know if that’s true. All I know is that I love him and I don’t miss K. Taylor one bit.
Today marks the day we first met in front of Club 69. I might have only known him for two short years, but he and Mandy are the people I trust the most. He’s closer to me than anyone’s ever been.
More than my parents. Even more than my best friends.
If someone had told me Kellan would change my life for the better, I would have laughed. In so many ways, I changed too.
As it turned out, there was never a question of whether I wanted to quit my old life. Things would have turned out the way they have anyway:
The moment the lines were back on and I switched on my phone, I received a nice voicemail from my boss from Hell, in which TB declared me fired for switching off my phone. Apparently, by being caught in a storm, I was violating one of the clauses in my work contract, which stipulated that I was to be available to her at all times.
My parents didn’t even notice I was away. They were too busy with their own lives and work at the orchestra, so they didn’t even pretend to miss me when I told them about moving to Montana.
During their one-week vacation, Mandy had invited Josh to come to NYC and stay with us in our tiny apartment, as if it wasn’t already too crowded. Apparently, it sort of clicked between them and they were dating. So, moving back there wasn’t even an option. I mean, no one wants to be the third wheel, right?
Last but not least, after the hurricane alert, my landlord panicked and decided to double our rent, in spite of the fact that a pipe had burst during our vacation. So I paid my share, thanked TB for the work experience, sent my parents an email to inform them of my new address, then tied up all loose ends, packed my bags, and moved to Montana.
That’s where I’ve now been for almost two years. Kellan’s family and friends have become my home.
So, no, I don’t regret the change. As it turns out, trust your heart because she knows better.
Kellan was the right decision, the right choice.
I love my new life.