Текст книги "Truth Or Dare"

Автор книги: Aimee McNeil

сообщить о нарушении

Текущая страница: 20 (всего у книги 20 страниц)

Epilogue

 

 

Mr. Walters,

I am pleased to say I have been proven wrong after all.

Sophie Rogers

 

“Who has you so captivated with your phone this evening?” Ashton asked as he slipped his arm around Sophie’s waist.

“I just had to send an email to one of my professors, unfinished business,” Sophie explained as she hit send.

“Is that so? I have some unfinished business that I would like to take care of.” Ashton smiled wickedly as he leaned in and kissed Sophie’s lips.

“If you guys keep this up I’m gonna lose my supper,” Mel huffed.

“It’s not so bad. It’s nice to know someone’s getting lucky.” Lucinda looked uncomfortable in her dress that was visibly too tight around her stomach, now round with child. Lucinda still refused to modify her wardrobe to accommodate her pregnancy, insisting that maternity clothes were too frumpy. Sophie knew it was a battle that Lucinda would soon lose.

Things were not always smooth sailing when it came to Mel and Lucinda. With both having strong personalities, they managed to butt heads more often than not, but Sophie loved knowing that they were making an effort. She could tell they were slowly growing on each other, especially now with the news that Corbin had recently been arrested under drug trafficking charges and would now be spending time behind bars. Mel had been on cloud nine lately.

Lucinda’s pregnancy was progressing as well as could be expected. Though she did tend to panic with every pound that she gained but it never stopped her from showing up at the cookie shop and eating a dozen cookies in one sitting. She hadn’t spoken to her family since she decided to keep the baby but Ashton and Sophie were committed to filling the role of her much needed support system. She was extremely grateful for their support and Sophie was glad she could be there to help. Sophie was amazed at how her relationship with Lucinda had turned full circle. Lucinda was still cynical and tended to complain about everything but Sophie loved their new dynamic of mutual respect. She was going to make a great mother.

The grand opening at their cookie café was a huge success. Sophie and Mel were thrilled that they were so well received in the area. They had a growing list of regulars and their name was spreading to the point that they had to hire additional help to keep up with demand.

“Well, it looks like you got a little too lucky,” Mel mumbled.

“Watch it,” Lucinda warned.

“Okay, ladies,” Sophie interjected lightly. “Let’s at least pretend we’re civilized.” Sophie leaned into Ashton. She would never get used to how his touch affected her.

Sophie looked at her paintings displayed in the same gallery as some very well-known artists in the city. Falon’s art gallery was a huge warehouse with a modern polished industrial feel that gave a perfect backdrop for the range of art displayed. A maze of walls were constructed to hold all the pieces. The building itself was a piece of art.

Sophie only sipped her wine but felt giddy from the excitement that bubbled within her. She was nervous how her work would be received among all the other beautiful pieces. When sold stickers began marking her paintings, the worries faded away.

“I tried to buy the portrait of me but I was told that you refuse to sell it.” Ashton raised his brow.

“Nope. That one I want to keep hanging on my wall,” Sophie said, looking at the painting Ashton referred to. She would never part with it, like she would never part with the man himself.

“Well then, maybe I have to make your walls mine as well.” Ashton pulled her closer against his side. “Truth or Dare?”

“What are you up to? Dare.” Sophie smiled suspiciously, not sure where Ashton was going with this.

“Move in with me.”

“You want that picture so much that you want me to move in so you can have it?” Sophie narrowed her eyes.

“It does look incredibly hot,” Ashton teased. “But no, I want you that much.” He kissed her lips. “You and only you. So will you make me a very happy man and move in with me?”

“I never turn down a dare,” Sophie offered playfully.

“Good to know.”

“Sophie dear, you must be so pleased.” Margaret approached them with her mom and Peter close behind. All of them offered warm, welcoming smiles.

“I am. This is a perfect evening,” Sophie gushed.

“I’m so proud of you, honey.” Sophie’s mother wrapped her arm around Sophie’s shoulder.

“Yes, it seems you’re making quite the name for yourself,” Margaret commented excitedly.

“Thanks to you.”

“Heavens no, don’t give me any credit.” Margaret waved off her comment. “It was all you.”

“Oh, before I forget, since everyone is here I want to say thank you for coming tonight. It means a lot that you’re here to support me.” Sophie looked at all the people standing around her that she held close to her heart. “I love you guys.”

“We love you too, Sophie.”

“Since this party is winding down, why don’t we move this love fest to our cookie shop and eat some treats?” Mel broke in. “I made something special for tonight to celebrate.”

“Sounds good to me,” Sophie said excitedly.

“Me too.” Lucinda suddenly brightened with the comment of food. “I’m starving.”

Ashton wrapped his arm around Sophie’s shoulders and leaned in close before he presented her with a bouquet of flowers. “Ah…thank you!” Sophie took the flowers and looked at the card.

Love is not being with someone because you think you can be happy with that person, but because without that person you know you can never be.

 

“It’s a new quote for you about love. I didn’t like your old one. Besides, it no longer fit your outlook since you are now a believer.” Ashton grinned. “It was either that or say how much I want to rip your clothes off because you look so fucking hot in the dress.”

“It’s perfect.”

“You’re perfect, Sophie. I love you.”

“And I love you.”

Acknowledgements

A huge thank you to:

Ryan McNeil, my husband,

for his unwavering support.

My parents, who are always my biggest fans.

My children, for inspiring me.

Limitless Publishing, for giving me the opportunity to share this book with the world.

These were only words upon the pages,

until you brought them to life.

Thank you.

About the Author

Aimee McNeil was born and raised in Nova Scotia, Canada, where she continues to live today with her husband and three children. She is a stay-at-home mother that loves every colorful moment with her family.

Aimee spends most of her free time indulging in her love of writing. You can also find her lost in the pages of a good book, or making a mess with her paints. Aimee loves to explore anything that promotes creativity. It is one of the many reason she enjoys writing.

 

Facebook:

https://www.facebook.com/aimeemcneilswriting

 

Twitter:

https://twitter.com/aimeeswriting

 

Website:

http://aimeemcneilswriting.blogspot.ca/