Meet Me at Midnight (Romance, Completed)

Epilogue

"I can't believe how much things have changed in the last six months," Angie said as she signed another copy of After Midnight with Sapphire's signature flourish.

"Me neither. Are you packed?"

"Sure. I only really need bikinis. How about you?"

I thought back to the three suitcases Dorothy had filled with everything from hiking boots to kaftans to evening wear. "Ready to go."

"Just don't forget to act surprised when Gregory gives you the ring."

"That won't be a problem."

In fact, I still couldn't believe he was going to propose, but Angie had overheard him asking our father for his blessing, and of course, she'd texted me right away. She might even have been more excited than I was. Luckily, I'd talked her out of hiring a photographer to accompany us on our trip, but she'd still gone straight out and bought Andreas a brand new, top-of-the-range camera to capture the moment for posterity.

In twelve hours, the four of us would be flying to the Bahamas for two weeks in the sun. Gregory and Andreas had secretly colluded, with Gregory renting a luxury villa and Andreas hiring a private jet. They'd become good friends since my sister finally found a man she wanted to go on more than one date with.

"I love your books," a reader gushed to Angie, breaking me out of my reverie. "I've read every single one, but I wasn't sure about the ending in After Midnight. I really wanted Lady Anne to end up with Rufus."

Yes, I'd written my sequel, the one where Anne learned the difference between lust and love. When pressure from society and especially Anne's mother came to bear on the two young lovebirds, Rufus had taken the coward's way out and joined a travelling fair rather than sticking around to fight for his lady. All Anne had left of the man who'd once made her stomach do somersaults was his pocket watch, much like I had Midnight's fountain pen, and although she still carried it everywhere, she'd grown rather fond of the dashing doctor who'd stepped in to heal her battered heart.

Angie met my eyes before giving the reader a knowing smile. My sister and I had become closer in the aftermath of my drama, our relationship more balanced as we learned to understand each other better.

Something else to thank Midnight for.

"Love isn't always straightforward," she said. "Sometimes, difficult decisions need to be made, and Anne realised that there was more to life than great sex."

I choked on the mouthful of water I'd just taken, but Angie was absolutely right. Being totally truthful, Gregory didn't quite measure up to Midnight in the bedroom department, but at least he was still there come sunrise. And I could live with that. I still thought of Beau often, every day in fact, and I hoped he'd found happiness as I had.

Many nights, I'd lain awake second-guessing my decision, but I did know that if things had gone any further between us, life would have been hard. Perhaps too hard. And although I may never again experience the rollercoaster of emotions I'd ridden with Mr. M, I was content. Comfortable. Safe. Gregory looked after me. Plus Angie had gifted me the Fifty Shades of Grey unrated edition and a whole selection of toys, sent to Andreas's apartment in plain packaging, of course, because if Mother had opened the parcel by accident, she would have died. Anyhow, my Lelo Gigi was small enough to fit in my handbag and left me with a smile on my face every single time. Happy days.

"You really think so?" Sapphire's reader asked.

Angie didn't miss a beat. "A girl needs to hold out for the whole package, and when she finds the right man, the love between them will carry on growing for the rest of their lives."