Page 127 of Say You Remember Me
Who knows, if I actually put myself out there and took a chance, maybe I could find my own person to share next Thanksgiving with.
BONUS EPILOGUE
MADDIE
Four Years Later
I glancedover the final design plans for Rosie's new room one more time, my fingers hovering over the mouse. I couldn’t help the smile tugging at my lips as I took in the digital design board. The soft pastel walls, the whimsical touches of a little reading nook, and the perfect mix of fun and calming tones—it was exactly what I had envisioned for her transition from nursery to preschool. I’d always dreamed of doing this, of putting my interior design degree to use for my own family, and this project felt especially meaningful. Rosie was growing so fast. I couldn't believe how much she’d changed in the two and a half years since she’d joined our family.
I saved the design and closed my computer, leaning back in my chair with a sigh of contentment. I couldn’t wait to see Rosie’s reaction when she saw her updated room in a couple of months. The thought of giving her a space that reflected her spunky personality filled me with excitement.
I stood and stretched, feeling a sense of accomplishment settle over me. After a moment, I walked out of my home office,grateful for the part-time flexibility it gave me. It was the perfect balance—being able to stay close to the kids, taking care of them when they needed me, while still doing the work that truly brought my soul alive.
I peeked into the living room where Rosie was on the floor, her little hands stacking the wooden blocks, working with her cousins and my dad to build a tower. She was such a curious, determined little thing.
“Hey, Dad,” I called, stepping in. “Everything good?”
“We’re doing great.” He nodded, shifting slightly on the floor. “Just trying to see how tall we can get the tower before it tumbles.”
“Sounds fun,” I said, loving that my dad lived just down the street and was happy to play with his grandkids every chance he got.
“Be good for Grandpa, sweetheart,” I told Rosie, leaning down to kiss the dark curls she’d gotten from her dad. Then looking to my dad, I said, “I’m picking up Grant from school after my lunch with Ian and then we should be back.”
“Perfect,” Dad said.
“Emrie is just upstairs putting away the laundry. So if the kids start a full-on riot, she’s available to help.”
“Sounds good.” Dad grinned. “But I’m pretty sure I’ll be able to keep these recruits in check.”
I said goodbye and then walked to the garage where my Mercedes was waiting.
Yes, I upgraded cars shortly after getting engaged to Ian since “The Lambo” had, well...kicked the bucket.
I slid into the driver’s seat and pulled out of the driveway. When I got to Ian’s office, Devin, the assistant who had replaced me, was sitting at his desk outside Ian’s office, typing away. He looked up when he saw me and grinned.
“Hey, Maddie! So, where is Ian taking you for lunch today?” he asked, raising an eyebrow.
“Basil & Lime, of course.” It was the fourth anniversary of when I had gotten my job as Ian’s assistant and we always went to the Thai restaurant to celebrate that awkward first week where I had to try and figure out how to recover from brazenly kissing my boss.
I saw Ian through the glass walls of his office, his head tilted slightly as he talked on the phone. His gaze flicked toward me, and I smiled at him, feeling a warmth spread through me when his eyes lit up. He smiled back, and I slipped into the office, settling into one of the chairs across from his desk, waiting for him to finish his call. His voice was low and steady as he spoke with his client, but his attention never wavered from me.
As he wrapped up the call, I overheard him say, “I’ll catch up with you later,” before he ended it with a soft click. He leaned back in his chair, looking at me with that same smile, and I felt my pulse quicken.
“How was your morning?” he asked, his voice warm and inviting. “Did Rosie and the cousins tear apart the house yet?”
“There was just the mess of blocks in the living room when I left…” I chuckled as I stood to walk over to him. “But with my dad in charge, I’m sure it’ll all be cleaned up by the time I get back.”
“Your dad will no doubt get the kids to clean up after themselves.”
I grinned. “I’d expect nothing less when Sergeant Stevens is on duty.”
“Of course.” He nodded. “And now thatI’moff duty for a bit…” His lips curled into a playful smirk. “I think it’s time I get to have a little playtime of my own.”
And before I could react, he tugged on my hand and pulled me onto his lap.
“Ian, we can’t do this here,” I said, glancing nervously toward the glass walls. “Anyone could walk by and see us. And what would they think if they saw their big, scary boss making out with his old assistant during office hours?”
Ian chuckled, his hands smoothing up my sides. “They’d know that he has the most beautiful wife in the world and not blame him in the least for getting carried away.”
