Total pages in book: 18
Estimated words: 16066 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 80(@200wpm)___ 64(@250wpm)___ 54(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 16066 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 80(@200wpm)___ 64(@250wpm)___ 54(@300wpm)
EXTENDED EPILOGUE
EVANGELINE
The charity ball is always a spectacular event, but this year is my favorite yet. I convinced my dad to go with a starry sky theme, and everything sparkles and shines in the candlelight around the huge ballroom. Dark blues and reflective silver and gold make the space feel both magical and cozy, and as I walk in with Enzo on my arm, I’m smiling so hard my cheeks hurt.
My eyes still sting a little from the flashes of the paparazzi’s cameras outside, but I blink it away and look around. Within seconds, a waiter approaches to hand us both a glass of champagne, and I take it eagerly.
Enzo smirks at me, and I raise a brow at him, daring him to make a comment on it.
“I haven’t had a drink in ages, thanks to all the kids I’ve had to grow and feed, so you can keep your mouth shut and let me drink my champagne in peace,” I tell him sternly, trying to stop the smile forming and fighting to act serious.
Enzo’s brows rise as he smirks at me, and I break, grinning and sipping my drink.
“I wasn’t going to say anything,” he argues. “You want champagne? I’ll get you the whole bottle. Besides, you better enjoy it before I put another baby in you.”
I gape at him, nearly choking on my sip as we walk towards our table. “Enzo! You will not!” I shake my head. “Three kids isn’t enough for you?”
He knows I’m teasing him. We both want a big family, though our youngest is only ten months old so I definitely don’t want to have another quite yet.
“I want a house full of our family,” Enzo answers easily, undeterred.
My phone buzzes in my purse before I can answer. Enzo pulls out my seat for me, and I dig out my phone as we settle down. It’s a text from our nanny, and I open it immediately.
“Dammit, they’re too cute,” I mumble as I take in the adorable photo of our three children all curled up together under a fluffy blanket on the sofa. There’s a bowl of popcorn on our four-year-old’s lap, and our two-year-old’s cheeks are stuffed full of the snack.
“That’s because they take after their Mom,” Enzo says smoothly, grinning down at the photo.
I point to our son’s chipmunk cheeks. “Kingston takes after you,” I point out with a laugh. “You’re both constantly hungry.”
Enzo laughs in agreement, wrapping an arm around the back of my chair. I lean towards him, a heart full of love and contentment. Enzo’s just as dangerous and deadly as ever, but he’s a softie at heart for me and the kids. I didn’t think it was possible to love him even more than I did until I saw him become a dad. The kids have him wrapped around their fingers, and it’s truly the cutest thing ever.
I’m the luckiest woman alive. A hot-as-hell husband, a growing family, a life full of laughter and love.
As much as I love being a Mom, I’m glad tonight gives Enzo and me some time to ourselves. I’m excited to have a drink and dance with him. These events always have the best food and music.
The rings on my finger glint in the light as I raise my glass to my lips again, the champagne bubbles popping on my tongue. I hum happily, shuffling as close to Enzo as I can get without sitting on his lap. I know by the end of the night I’ll be on his lap anyway.
“Isn’t it pretty in here?” I say with a happy sigh. “The decorations really do look like a starry sky.”
Enzo presses a kiss to my jaw. “Not even the stars can shine as bright as you do, princess, especially in this dress.”
My cheeks heat, and my heart thumps at the compliment. Even after five years together, Enzo’s words have never lost impact on me. He runs his hand over my thigh, the velvety fabric of my dress bunching under his touch.
The dress matches the theme perfectly if I do say so myself—a ball gown made of deep blue velvet, drenched in silvery shimmers that make it sparkle. I can’t wait to spin around on the dancefloor and take full advantage of the pretty dress.
I let my gaze roam over my husband. In his three-piece navy suit, he looks edible. I tell him so with a grin. “You look like dessert,” I say, biting my lip and imagining all the ways I can get a taste of him.
Enzo chuckles. “I’ll hold you to that, princess.”