Tobey took a deep breath. ‘Callie Rose, I love you with my whole heart and I promise there won’t be a single day when you doubt it – or me. I’ll never give you reason to regret taking a chance on me. Callie Rose Hadley, will you marry me?’

‘Yes, Tobias Durbridge. Yes, I’ll marry you, but on one condition.’

‘Anything.’

‘You must promise to always be honest with me; when I ask you a question, I need to know you’ll respect me enough to give me a truthful answer, no matter how painful. Is it a deal?’

Tobey didn’t reply. Instead, he pulled me into his arms and kissed me, his lips hard and soft on mine.

‘Here’s to honesty,’ I said, smiling, when our kiss finally ended.

Tobey swept me off my feet and spun me round twice before letting my feet touch the ground again, laughing all the while. The smile he directed at me was pure happiness. He thought he’d won. Endgame and checkmate. I was going to prove him wrong.

‘I love you so much, Callie. You and me, babe, against the world.’ He replayed our old motto like it was the only thing required to roll back the years.

I cupped his cheek, stroking the soft, scratchy stubble beneath my fingers, absorbing who and what he truly was through each of my senses – the taste of him still on my tongue, the faint aroma of soap and aftershave mixed with perspiration, his ruffled hair where his fingers had swept through it, the honeyed sound of his words in my ears.

Tobias Durbridge, I’m looking at you and, though it took too long, I finally see you.

‘You and me, Tobey,’ I agreed. ‘The two of us, side by side, against the world.’

THREE MONTHS LATER

sixty-seven. Tobey

Hallelujah! I still couldn’t believe it. After all these years, Callie and I were finally together. Officially. Openly. Obviously. Together. After Jon’s revelation about me running Dan’s organization, I was so sure I’d lost her for good. Callie’s moral compass pointing to true north was as predictable, as inevitable as the daily sunrise.

Yet she wanted to be with me. I’d asked her to marry me – albeit at her instigation – and she said yes! What we’d both lived through had left us bruised and bloodied, but unbowed. I remember our wedding like it was yesterday. As I watched Callie Rose slowly walk down the aisle towards me, it felt as if everything I’d ever dreamed of was finally within my grasp. I would’ve gladly lived through that horrific Halloween night again if it led to this outcome. I wouldn’t change a thing.

Except for what happened to Sephy.