Operation Meet Cute by K.M. Neuhold
Epilogue
Two Years Later
HARLOW
“Is this the kind of thing a director would wear to a premier?” I ask, turning to Teddy with butterflies in my stomach and so much sweat on my palms I’m going to need a squeegee.
“You’re the director, and this is your premier. So, by definition, anything you wear is what a director would wear,” he reasons, and I groan.
“I don’t know if it’s right.” I’ve put on three different suits already, and none of them feel like the right one.
Teddy comes up behind me and wraps his arms around me. “You look fantastic, and this movie is going to be amazing.”
“What if everyone hates it? What if you hate it?” I ask, nibbling on my bottom lip. I should’ve let him see it before tonight. I thought it would be romantic for him to experience for the first time in a theater, but now that seems like the worst idea ever.
“Impossible,” he says simply, kissing my cheek. “Now, come on, the limo is waiting.”
“Hold on, I need to change just one more time.”
“Nope.” He slips his hand into mine and drags me out of the bedroom before I can put on one more suit.
Teddy looks incredible tonight, of course. His beard is still full but trimmed so there aren’t a million scraggly hairs. His suit fits like a dream and makes him look like James Bond. Over two years in, and I still can’t believe that this is the man I get to spend the rest of my life with.
Marnie and Oscar are already waiting in the limo, both dressed to the nines and into a bottle of champagne that the studio sent over.
“Director Harlow Monroe,” my best friend shouts loudly as I climb in and sit down. “That has such a nice ring to it.”
“Doesn’t it?” I agree.
Unlike Teddy, she has seen the movie, and she absolutely loved it. She especially loved the gorgeous actress I cast to play the quirky best friend named Mary.
“We need a toast,” Teddy insists, grabbing the two empty champagne flutes and filling each before handing one to me. “To the incredibly talented and unbearably sexy Director Harlow Monroe.”
“Here, here,” Marnie chimes in, and the four of us clink our glasses together.
I lean into my man as we ride to the premier, my jitters settling into more of a nervous anticipation. I could’ve probably gotten here without Teddy, but damn, the ride wouldn’t have been half as fun. Having him by my side makes everything better. I would rather bicker with Teddy than be worshiped by some imaginary, fictitious leading man. And bonus, my man is pretty damn good at the worshiping me part too.
“I’m so fucking in love with you,” I whisper to him as the limo pulls up to the red carpet.
“I love you more,” he counters with a grin.
“Impossible.” I give him a quick kiss and one more mushy smile before I slide out of the car, squaring my shoulders and grinning at the flash of cameras all around me. I reach back for him, helping him out and keeping my hand clasped tightly around his as we make our way down the carpet, pausing for photos and greeting the actors along the way who helped me bring my vision to life.
The entire thing is surreal and incredible. I could definitely get used to it.
Eventually, we enter the theater, settling in for the film to start. “Um, so I should probably tell you before it starts…” I whisper nervously, clenching my fingers around his. Fuck, I really should’ve made sure he was okay with this like two years ago.
“Yeah?”
“The movie is kind of about us.”
“About us?” he repeats.
“Yeah, our love story…a true love story.” I hold my breath, waiting for his reaction.
Of course, I shouldn’t have been worried. This is Teddy we’re talking about. A soft, sweet smile graces his lips, and he leans in to press a gentle kiss to my mouth. “I can’t wait to watch it.”
“Oh good, I was worried you’d be mad.”
“Only if you reveal to the world that my name is Denver,” he warns, and I grimace. I’ll just make sure to send him for popcorn right before we get to that part.
I pat his hand in a placating way. “Of course, Teddy Bear.”
The movie starts, and we all fall silent. It’s even more incredible than I imagined to see my art come to life on the huge screen in front of us. Every peel of laughter from the audience, every sniffle, and sigh, they’re all for me, and they’re all the most amazing sounds I’ve ever heard.
“Wow,” Teddy says when the movie ends and the credits roll, “At Last” by Etta James playing over them.
“Did you like it?”
“It was the most beautiful, heartfelt romance I’ve ever seen,” he answers. “I knew you were talented, but…wow.”
I can’t stop smiling. The love in my heart for this man overflows. “You showed me what love really means. You helped me go deeper than all the shallow things I wrote before. You opened up my heart and taught me that real love isn’t something to be afraid of. You make me better, and I’m so glad you were patient enough to let me figure all that out.”
“I always knew you’d be worth it, Low.” He lifts our joined hands to his lips and kisses my knuckles. “This was such an incredible gift. You surprise me every single day, and I’m so lucky to have you.”
“I’m just getting started, Teddy Bear. We have a long life ahead, and I intend to have you by my side every second, reminding me what true romance is so I can write a million more movies.”
“I’m here for it,” he agrees easily. “Forever.”
“Forever,” I echo, finally understanding what that word really means.
*****
CURIOUS ABOUT WHAT HAPPENED THAT NIGHT FOUR YEARS AGO WHEN TEDDY FELL IN LOVE? GRAB THE BONUS SCENE AND FIND OUT NOW! CLICK HERE
NOT SO FAST, JUST ONE MORE THING... IN THE MOOD FOR SOME HOLIDAY SHENANIGANS AND A SWOON-TASTIC PROPOSAL? DON'T MISS OPERATION MEET THE PARENTS, TEDDY AND LOW'S XMAS NOVELLA COMING DECEMBER 3RD! PREORDER NOW
