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Epilogue

One Year Later

“Ay, ainst the wall in the gallery’s back rooeous brown leather shoes and washis black-socked foot with one hand

As I clicked by hihed and squished his cheek between ently “Why don’t we trade shoes, then? I’ll take yours over mine any day”

“Rafiq would never forgive me,” said Joel “You see the way your ass looks in them? Whew!” He pretended to fan himself with a chuckle

“You’re not wrong,” I said with a laugh Rafiq had picked outblack heels exactly for the way my curves looked in the black hair done up in a gorgeous bundle of curls that felt like a crown on top of er than mine, anyway Sorry dear, can’t help you”

“It’sthese in, but daood in the storeon the way over here” He looked regretfully at his other, shoed foot on the floor “Why does it have to hurt to look so good?”

“Well, you look very handsoht’s alave hi hallway toward the gallery

Even though it was late in the evening, the rooht, and the new arrivals who had , and selected us for their final stop

Looking around, I still couldn’t believe that this was ger than anything I could ever have hoped to be a part of, and it was all thanks to my new life with Rafiq

I spotted hiht, but because he was carrying hi other powerful people, he stood out, shining like a jewel from the desert

He always caught ht was no different He looked up across the crowd and met my eyes with a smirk and a wink I smiled back and blew him a kiss

“Tonight has been perfect,” said Joel, co up from behind me “You must be so proud, mami”

“I am,” I admitted with a nod “And I’m proud of Rafiq He’s come so far, he’s like a whole new man He makes me so happy”

“And they love his work!” said Joel with a gesture around “Everyone has been gushing about it all evening! I think you ht have a rival”

I laughed as I gazed over the gallery walls This place was ours, Rafiq’s and ether, side by side We had even completed a joint piece, the first piece visitors encountered when they entered the gallery My wildest daydrea now I had a wonderful, passionate man to share not only my life with, but my work, too

“I’m not sure I would want to be Rafiq’s rival, to be honest I love his work more than my own most times”

“That’s how I know you are in love,” said Joel, putting his ar “And it’s about damn time”

“I couldn’t agree more”

Rafiq was cone in his hand, and a handso “Thank you for all your help tonight, Joel, we couldn’t have done this without you”

“That’s what I’ve been saying to her for years,” said Joel with a teasing glance at et to tell everyone that my dearest friend is both a successful artist and a princess, so it works out”

“A princess?” I laughed

“Well, o talk that gorgeous Ger at for ten ave us both a pat on the shoulder before h the crowd

Rafiq pulledhas been a dream come true for me, my love”