Page 143 of Fraud
With love on our side, nothing is impossible.
Not even flying.
So, spread your wings, spread them wide, and soar.
You might just find what you’ve always been looking for.
I sure did.
Eighteen Months Later
“To Kate and The Scandal Chronicles!” everyone cheered, holding their glasses up high in a toast.
I watched as my exuberant fiancée, dressed hotter than I’d ever seen, face the room filled with movie executives, celebrities, and friends with dignity and poise.
“Thank you so much,” she said. “It’s hard to believe that, over two years ago, I was just dreaming up these characters that have now come to life in the most amazing way. I never thought anyone would read my books, let alone make a film series out of them. You have no idea how much this night means to me. Truly, thank you.”
I cheered with everyone else. Standing along the sidelines, Jane and I watched Kate make her way toward us. She shook hands and gave hugs, being the gracious and genuine person I knew her to be.
I couldn’t have been prouder.
Since her letter had gone viral and the world found out who the real Laura Stone was, Kate had handled the onslaught of fame with nothing but grace. Her old coworkers had been shocked to find out their shy little loan officer was the seductive writer of their dreams and even more shocked when she endowed a fortune to the college, hoping to give less fortunate students the chance of a lifetime that she had been given so many years before.
Kate had turned out to be quite the savvy businesswoman once she embraced her new life, and I’d found my job of being her media liaison constantly evolving. It was no easy task, but one I thoroughly enjoyed.
And I thought the world was starting to forgive me.
Even the women.
Somehow, in all the madness of the last year, I’d convinced her to marry me. A handful of months ago, I’d gotten down on one knee after the ring had been burning a hole in my pocket for a solid week and asked her to marry me right there, in the middle of our apartment.
Not my most romantic moment. But I was planning on making up for it tonight.
“This is insanity,” she said, her face filled with excitement, as she latched on to me.
“And this is just the US premiere,” I said. “We still have five more countries to go.”
She shook her head. “I can’t believe we’re going to travel the world together!”
“About that,” I said, pulling her aside, “how do you feel about eloping?”
Her wide eyes met mine. “Are you serious?”
“Dead serious,” I said.
She jumped up and down, wrapping her arms around my neck. “Yes! Oh my gosh, yes! Where? When? Can Jane come? And Amy?”
I laughed. “Yes, of course! And anywhere you want, babe, as long as it ends withI doand a lengthy wedding night.”
“Rome? Can we get married in Rome?”
“Perfect!” I agreed. “I’ll make all the arrangements.”
“I love you. I love you so much.”
“Not as much as I love you.”
And it was true.
