Page 121 of Karma's a Beach
“You think we can change the order of our itinerary?” he murmurs against my lips.
“Itinerary?” I’m too dazed to follow what he’s saying.
“Yeah, the pool, lunch, and making love,” he clarifies gruffly. “How about we make love and then head down to the pool for lunch? Or maybe we order room service and make love all afternoon? What do you think?”
“To quote a wise man, ‘I love the way you think,’ Sebastian,” I tease.
His smile is positively radiant. “Come on. Let’s head back. The sooner we’re there, the sooner I can peel this bathing suit off of you.”
I’m giddy with anticipation, and yet we don’t run. We stroll. We bump our shoulders playfully while firmly holding each other’s hands. I can see the hotel up ahead and while that’s where we’re going, it’s not our destination.
Not really.
No, our destination is a happily ever after.
A forever.
And this exciting journey is just beginning, and I love that it’s starting at the beach.
My happy place.
Epilogue
OLIVIA
ONE YEAR LATER—VANESSA’S BEACH HOUSE
* * *
“Okay, everyone! Listen up!” Vanessa calls out. “The books are here, and we are going to be the first people—you know, outside of the agents, publicists, editors, and whatnot—to get our hands on Olivia Ashley’s newest book, Code of Deception!”
It seemed only fitting to have a big party with all of my friends.
And it’s even better because the house looks amazing! Like…crazy amazing. Like something out of a design magazine. All the pictures we are going to take tonight with the book—something I promised my PR team—will look spectacular. And considering most of the book takes place in a small coastal town, it’s the perfect setting for my private launch party.
Vanessa, Zayne, Loren, Mike, Roxie and her boyfriend Ben, me, and Ash are all staying here for the week. But it didn’t seem right not to invite Vanessa’s parents since we’re essentially using their newly finished home for a party when they haven’t had the chance to do it yet, so they’re here for the party, but heading to the hotel in town for the evening. We all felt bad about it, but they insisted. We also invited Mrs. Serrano because, well…because. She’s been such a tremendous supporter of mine, and I genuinely want her here.
She’s also staying at the hotel in town tonight.
Ash’s parents are here as well. And can I just say how much I love them? I mean…from the moment we met, they just embraced me like the daughter they never had! Plus, his mom is a huge fan, and she’s asked me to come and talk at multiple book club meetings. She’s adorable and I genuinely adore her. I think she was more excited about this book than anyone else!
But the biggest shock of it all? My family is here. Yup—my family—both parents, my brother, and his wife.
I’m still not sure how it all happened, but I guess when three more of my books went to contract for movie adaptations, something finally clicked with them. When I told them about the news and this new book, my mother specifically asked if there was going to be some sort of launch party, and I told her.
Mainly because I didn’t think she’d want to come.
You know, since they never did before.
And yet…here they are, and I’m loving it. It was fascinating watching them interact with everyone, and even though I was nervous about introducing them to Ash, it all went better than I ever could have imagined.
Looking around, these people are important to me and the fact that they’re all here to celebrate with me is just a beautiful thing.
“Liv? Olivia!” Vanessa calls out. “Come up here and open the box! We need to see it and start this party!”
Ash is beside me and he kisses me before giving me a gentle nudge to get through the crowd. Vanessa’s smile is one of pure giddiness and she’s practically bouncing on her toes. She hands me the knife to open the box and it’s crazy how this feeling never gets old. I’ve seen mockups of the cover, and I got an advanced copy that was riddled with errors and not meant to be sold, but seeing the actual live version is always exciting.
My hand shakes as I carefully cut through the cardboard and the room is practically silent as all eyes are focused on me. When I finally open the box and pull out the first copy, I study it first, my heart bursting with pride.
