Satisfaction Guaranteed(56)

He cocks a brow. “The same best mate’s sister who’s impervious to your charms.”

I nod. “Have I mentioned I love a challenge?”

“That’s one helluva hill to climb. We might need two pints.”

We head to a pub, order, and roll up our sleeves.

Truly is indeed some kind of challenge. But I’m a determined man, no matter how many hurdles I might face.





Epilogue





Sloane



A few more months later

My phone rings.

I’m expecting Piper, since she’s helping me with all things wedding-related.

But her name’s not the one on the screen as I grab it from the kitchen counter. “Hey, Dad,” I say, after I swipe the screen.

Malone looks up from his tablet. It’s nine thirty on a Saturday, so I suspect he’s reading the news as he usually does on weekend mornings. It’s his habit, and I love knowing his habits.

I love knowing him.

Like the fact that his friends rely on him. He sees them often, whether for softball or jujitsu or basketball.

And that his sister is a hoot, all sassy and fiery and full of love.

That he adores this city, and he’ll try anything with me—whether it’s a movie, an art gallery, or even dancing. We’ve been taking swing lessons so we can cut a rug at our wedding.

I love, too, that there’s so much more for us yet to discover about each other, and we will.

“How’s everything in Italy?” I ask my father as I park myself on a stool at the counter next to my fiancé. I wasn’t expecting to hear from my dad for another few days.

Malone grabs me and pulls me onto his lap, whispering. “I want to take you to Tahiti.”

I swat him, shushing him. He loves to rile me up when I talk to my father. I swear this man is trouble.

“Tuscany is great,” my dad answers. “So great, in fact, that it’s giving Helena and me all sorts of ideas.”

Malone arches a brow, since he can hear my dad’s side of the call.

“What do you mean, Dad?” I feign not knowing, but I suspect where he’s heading.

“Why don’t you put me on speakerphone? I can tell my son-in-law is there,” he says.

Smiling, I turn on the speaker and set the phone on the counter.

“You do know I’m not your son-in-law for another three weeks,” Malone remarks.

“I do. I can count. But I already think of you that way.”

“And I’m glad you’re going to be my father-in-law,” he says, and I snuggle up against my man, loving the way his relationship with my dad has evolved.

Once upon a time, my father was his mentor. Then his business partner. Then his roadblock.

Now?

He’s just my dad.

Just the father of the woman Malone loves.

It’s so much better like this.

Of course, there is still that little matter of the vet clinic. But I smile, since I know something Malone doesn’t.

My dad clears his throat. “I was thinking of a wedding present for you two.”

Malone answers. “You don’t have to get us anything, Doug. After all, I kind of have the last laugh. I’m marrying your daughter.” A little twinkle crosses his eyes.

I rein in a smirk.

My dad chuckles. “I suppose that’s true. But I have something for the two of you, and I’m giving it to you now.”

Malone shoots me a curious look. I simply shrug, like I don’t know what it is.

“I’m giving you both the practice. It’s yours. Enjoy.”

Malone’s jaw drops, and he coughs in surprise. “Excuse me?”

“It’s yours. I’m not selling you my half. I’m giving it to the two of you. Be good to my daughter for the rest of your life.”

“Of course. I will. I absolutely will. This is incredible. Thank you.”

My dad says goodbye and hangs up.

Malone tugs me in closer and runs his fingers across my cheek. “I can’t believe that. I really can’t. Did you know about this?”

“He mentioned it to me last night. Do you like it?”

Malone shakes his head, a smile lighting up his whole face. No, the whole city. “I love it. It’s incredible.” He presses a kiss to my forehead then pulls back, wonder in his eyes. “I can’t believe we’re going to keep running it together. The clinic and the rescue. This is a dream come true.”

“It’s ours. It’s sort of perfect, isn’t it?”

“It’s completely perfect. Like it was meant to be.”

“That’s how I feel about you.”

He cups my cheeks and kisses me again, then laughs.“I guess we really are stuck together.”

I laugh and swat his elbow. “Yes, we are.”

“And that’s exactly where I want to be.”

This, here with him? That’s the dream.





Another Epilogue





Malone



Some men believe the ability to make a woman purr is the apex of male performance.

That if you achieve such a victory in bed, you’re the king of studs, the master of men.

I call bullshit.