“I promise to do the same because you are my everything too, Ryot. Nichole is right, you are my happiness, and I want to hold on to that until my last breath.” I lean in and press my lips to his, feeling him suck in a deep breath as he rolls me to my back.

He doesn’t say anything else. Instead, I get lost in the feel of his strength taking over my body. Through every kiss and every touch, he silently holds on to that promise and strengthens it so there is no way we’re ever untying the knot that is our life together.

Epilogue

RYOT

Myla: At Nichole’s. We have falafel and hummus.

I chuckle, staring at Myla’s text, and quickly remove my suit and change into a pair of shorts and a tank top. After a long day of shooting The Jock Report segment with ESPN, I’m ready to see my girl.

It’s been a month since Nichole was in the hospital. We ended up staying a little over a week in Chicago before we could transfer her on a private jet to California. She met with her new doctors immediately, and they came up with a plan. We’re not overly optimistic, but they have said there could be a chance of possible survival if they can reduce the tumor and stop the spread. We’re taking it one day at a time.

Malibu has been the right move for us. Even though we’re renting, Myla has made the beach house more of a home than our initial place. She’s hung pictures of our wedding, created an inviting space with Caribbean tones—her words, not mine—and added a touch of her own flair with color-blocking murals that she’s started adding in the office building spaces.

Speaking of my girl, she just started working with Kelsey this week, and she’s already designed some spaces that Kelsey is in love with. They had a design meeting yesterday, and from what Myla has told me, Kelsey was swooning. Myla is truly in her element, and I don’t think I’ve seen her this happy. Makes me realize that, in fact, you can get wrapped up in your own head and forget to see the things around you. It’s good to lift your head from the hole every once in a while and look around.

Ready to walk over, I send a quick text to Myla.

Ryot: Need me to bring anything over?

She texts back quickly.

Myla: Just your sweet ass.

Speaking of ass . . . Myla and I got a sex swing installed in the room, and last night, she swung on it while lying on her belly. That’s all I’m going to say about that, but Jesus Christ, it was an experience still living in my brain.

I lock up the house and head on over. The walk is short since she’s only two houses down, and the neighborhood is incredibly peaceful. I truly believe the fresh air and the sun are helping Nichole. And sure, I might be just telling myself that to make myself feel better, but every day, it seems like her smile’s becoming more genuine.