Page 17 of Texting the Boss

EPILOGUE

CANNON

One Year Later

It's been a year since that life-changing dinner at the resort in Cozumel, and so much has happened since then.

Candace, now my wife, has been working as a writer forWorldwide Wonders, and her career has taken off in ways I never could have imagined. I’ve thanked Greg a million times for what he’s done for us, but at this point, he’s thanking me for handing him his most talented and successful writer ever. It’s been a win for all of us.

When my suspicions were confirmed on our last day in Cozumel, after a nauseous Candace took a pregnancy test that came back positive, I was quick to sellElite Editionsto Greg so I could spend all my time with my pregnant woman. We eloped on the beach under the setting sun and later had a lavish ceremony for her family to attend back in Seattle. Once they all flew in from Florida, we told them about the pregnancy, and after the shock had worn off, the family rejoiced.

And now, here we are in Ireland, with our beautiful new daughter Callie in tow, so Candace can finish her most recent article about Dublin surrounded by the beautiful Irish countryside.

The nanny has just taken the baby away for bed, and Candace is finishing the said article on her laptop. As she shuts it and stands up, I hear the sound of the balcony door sliding open. I turn to see her joining me, sitting down beside me and leaning her head on my shoulder.

"What are you thinking about?" she asks, sounding tired but happy.

I take her hand and give it a squeeze. "I was just thinking about how beautiful our life is," I admit. "I never imagined that I'd be able to travel the world with the woman I love and our beautiful daughter. It's more than I could have ever hoped for. Knowing that you’re mine is more than I deserve, Candace.”

She smiles and nods, and I can see powerful love in her eyes. "I feel the same way," she says. "I never would have been able to do any of this without you. You've always believed in me and supported my dreams, and I can't thank you enough for that."

We sit in silence for a few moments, watching the sun dip below the horizon. As the sky turns shades of orange and pink, I can't help but feel grateful for how we succeeded together, even when things got rough.

She’s worth it all. We’re worth it all.

EXTENDED EPILOGUE

CANDACE

Ten Years Later

Ican’t believe it’s been a decade since that incredible evening in Cozumel, and a decade since I was able to sink my toes into the sand on this gorgeous beach. So much has changed since then that it's almost unbelievable.

My career as a journalist has soared to new heights, and I've traveled the world, experiencing all kinds of amazing cultures and people. And most importantly, I've built a beautiful family with the man I love, Cannon Croft.

Celebrating our 10th anniversary in the place where we got engaged, I look at the man beside me and still feel weak in the knees. Our two children are running around, chasing each other and laughing as they play with my parents, who are now doting grandparents.

My husband turns to me and asks how it feels to be an award-winning article writer. I smile and take his hand, looking into his eyes. "It feels amazing," I say. "But none of it would have ever happened without you. Thank you, Cannon, for everything.”

He smiles and leans in for a kiss, and I can feel the warmth and love radiating from him. And, because it’s Cannon, the arousal as soon as his tongue sweeps across mine. "You're welcome, my love," he says once we break the kiss before it gets too heated.

Feeling happiness and contentment wash over me, I stand up and take off my cover-up to join my parents and children in the water. Once it’s off, I’m feeling a little self-conscious in my bikini. I don’t look the same after two kids, and I know it.

“Do I look okay in this?” I ask Cannon, unsure.

He laughs, “Ah, sweetheart. Remember how your self-conscious accidental text all those years ago is what got us together in the first place?”

The parallels hit me, and I blush. It wasn’t my intention, but he’s right.

He stands up and takes me in his arms, assuring me that I'm even more beautiful and curvy now and that my new body is so attractive to him. "You're the most beautiful woman in the world to me, and the sexiest," he says, kissing me softly on the lips. "I love you and I always will…but for the record, you lookamazingin that bikini.”

As we stand on the beach in Cozumel, surrounded by our loved ones and the beautiful ocean, I come to realize just how lucky I really am. Cannon’s love and support have made all the difference, and I know that as long as we're together, we can conquer anything.

The End.

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