He laughed, wiping my happy tears from my cheeks. “We can talk about that later.”
I held my hand up, admiring the ring. It made me feel like my parents got to be a part of this moment, and I loved him more for it. “You did so good,” I told him.
“I do try,” he said smugly, sliding onto the bench next to me. He put his arm around me and pulled me in close. The sun began to set, reflecting off the lake. Everything around us took on a golden sheen. Marco couldn’t have arranged it better if he’d tried.
“Someday I want to be ninety years old and sitting here with you,” I told him.
“I’m in. I can’t think of anyone I’d rather grow old with than you.” He kissed the tip of my nose. “But before we’re too old to enjoy ourselves, I do have some experiments I’d like to run. Of a personal variety.”
“Such as?”
“I’ll show you later,” he said with a waggle of his eyebrows that made me giggle. “Just promise me you’ll always be my lab partner.”
I put my hand in his. “I will. Now you’re stuck with me.”
He kissed the back of my hand, my new diamond ring sparkling in the golden sunlight. “So you’re promising that I’m your adenine.”
“Why is that?”
“Because it means I’ll always be paired with U.”
I laughed. “Please never stop making science jokes.”
“We’ll put that in our vows. But before we get that far, I have one more rule.”
“You know how much I like rules,” I said.
He laced his fingers through mine. “You have to always be yourself, let me love you forever, and live with me happily ever after.”
I kissed his cheek softly. “Technically those are three rules. But my answer is yes. It will always be yes.”
AUTHOR’S NOTE
Thank you for reading my story! I hope you liked getting to know Marco and Anna and enjoyed them falling in love as much as I did. If you’d like to find out when I’ve written something new, make sure you sign up for my newsletter at sariahwilson.com, where I most definitely will not spam you. （I’m happy when I send out a newsletter once a month!）
And if you feel so inclined, I’d love for you to leave a review on Amazon, on Goodreads, with your hairdresser’s cousin’s roommate’s blog, via a skywriter, in graffiti on the side of a bookstore, on the back of your electric bill, or any other place you want. I would be so grateful. Thanks!
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
For everyone who is reading this—thank you. When so much in the world has been dark and difficult, it has meant the world to me that I can craft some light, fun, romantic stories that lift up both you and me. Thank you for your support and for cheering me on. It means so much.
I have to thank my editor Alison Dasho first—for believing in me, for loving my stories and my ideas, for always having such good insights and suggestions, and for being every bit as excited as I am about stories and movies and shows. I’m so grateful that we get to work together. I’m thankful to everyone at Montlake who has worked hard to make this book a success （Anh Schluep, Tricia Callahan, Cheryl Weisman, Stef Sloma, Jillian Cline, Erin Calligan Mooney, Kris Beecroft）。 And to Charlotte Herscher—edits have always freaked me out and made me doubt myself, but you’ve somehow mastered the art of giving suggestions that don’t feel scary and/or overwhelming while still making me feel so great about what I’ve written. I consider it a huge privilege that I’ve been able to work with both you and Alison for so long. I hope the movie quotes get to stay!
Thank you to the copy editors and proofreaders who find all my mistakes and continuity errors and gently guide me in the right direction. A special shout-out to Philip Pascuzzo for the gorgeous cover for this book. We’ve done so many books together that I no longer have to look up how to spell your name correctly. Thank you for all the beautiful artwork you’ve done over the last few years for me.
For my agent, Sarah Younger—you are the person I count on for so many things, and you always come through flawlessly. Protecting me, encouraging me, pointing me in the right direction, being my number one advocate and champion. I’m very grateful for the series of events that brought us together.
Thank you to Dana, Julia, Jordan, and Hailey of Dana Kaye Publicity for everything you guys do and the way that you keep me on track （especially the gentle nudging/reminding） and all of your fantastic advice.
I have to send a huge thank-you to Krissie Gerrard of Envy Cosmetic Consulting （@bak2thelab）。 You were so generous with your time, with your explanations, for breaking things down in a way that even a nonscience person like me could understand them. Thank you for allowing me to share some of your personal/professional experiences with the readers—the self-tanner incident happened to Krissie, and it made me laugh, so I knew I had to include it. She helped make this book possible and taught me a lot about cosmetic chemistry!
Thank you, Jen Springer, for talking all things makeup with me and giving me advice and tips.
Rian Johnson—I’m trying hard not to make my social media be all about how much of a fan I am of yours, but it’s true. Everything you do is brilliant, and it inspires me as a writer, so thank you for that. And I’m dedicating this book to you and giving you my eternal gratitude for being the father of Reylo, a true enemies-to-lovers romance that should have ended happily ever after. #BenSoloStillDeservesBetter #SoDoesRey
Peter Jackson—you made me love Lord of the Rings. I’ve tried reading the books and I just can’t, so it’s a testament to your talent that you made me care so much about those characters and their stories. I’m sure somebody will try to remake your movies, but I can’t imagine that it will be anytime soon. They are classics.
Jim Henson—I really, really love the Muppets. I have ever since I was a little girl （Sesame Street was my jam and taught me how to tie my shoes）。 I’m so grateful that your company continues to carry on your legacy and bring more joy and happiness with the Muppets to a new generation （I can hardly wait to introduce my new grandson to my favorites）。
For my kids—there have been dark and hard days, but I know we’ll get through all of this together. I love you more than words could ever say.
And Kevin, who never reads a word of what I write, I love you so much that I’d let someone put lasers in my eyeballs for you.