My proposal, which I sent to him just yesterday, recommended that each of the lawyers in the legal department take on a minimum number of pro bono hours in addition to their regular duties and that the department as a whole commit to handling one high-impact pro bono case per year. I’m both stunned and thrilled that he’s read it this quickly and wants to proceed. “That’s great news, sir.”

“Well, I should clarify. I’m on board so long as you call me Larry.”

“Then that’s great news, Larry.”

“One other thing,” he says, raising his index finger in the air. “We’ve got a team from Olney & Henderson coming in next week. Sam Henderson and Peter Barnum. They’re making a pitch to be our outside law firm. I plan to be called away unexpectedly, so I’ll need someone to cover for me and run the meeting.” He twists his lips to the side, his expression wily and conspiratorial. “You can be the one to tell them we’ve decided to go in a different direction. If you want to, that is.”

I should be the better person and politely decline the opportunity—but I won’t. I’m only human, after all. Mirroring Larry’s grin, I dip my head. “I’ll be there.”

Solange pulls me by the tie. “All right, you two. Enough about business. It’s a wedding, for goodness’ sake.”

Solange and I find our seats, and minutes later, a quintet begins to play a jazz tune. The guests rise and face Kimberly and Nia, who are holding hands at the entrance to the gardens, Kimberly in a white pantsuit and Nia in a long flowing white gown.

The women stare at each other with love in their hearts and affection in their expressions. I know the feeling. Jesus, do I know the feeling. I never imagined I would, and yet here we are. Perhaps sensing that I’m overcome with emotion, Solange hugs me, her eyes glistening. I tear my gaze from hers, wanting to be respectful of Kimberly and Nia’s special day, but damn, it’s difficult not to just bask in Solange’s loveliness. More than a year ago, this woman, whom I adore more than words can say, crashed my wedding, then pretended to be my girlfriend. Look how far we’ve come.

Max once told me that the detour sometimes becomes the destination. He’s right. Solange and I took a detour, and now we’ve reached our destination together. The place where we’re the happiest, the place at which we’re the most content and secure, is in each other’s arms.

There’s absolutely nothing fake about that.

Revised Step Three: Find the love of my life.

Status: Completed.

THE END

Acknowledgments

So we meet again, Acknowledgments. You’re a relentless bitch.

I’m kidding.

Because the true relentless bitch was the manuscript that eventually became this book.