Dirty Boss: An Office Romance (Dirty Series Book 3), V.T. Do [pride and prejudice read .TXT] 📗

I worked hard for the rest of the night to show her what it truly meant to love and be loved by me.

Epilogue

Lily

My fingers strummed nervously on the white lace patterned fabric covering my almost swollen belly.

It had been three months since I moved out of my apartment and into Dereck’s home. Three months since we officially came out to everyone at work that we were dating.

I knew there were whispers around the company that I was only sleeping with the boss to get ahead. But for the most part, Dereck left me alone to my work, letting me get career achievements based on my own merits.

I wasn’t worried about the whispers. Yes, it hurt to hear the nasty things said about me behind my back, but I wasn’t there to make friends. I was there to make my dreams come true.

And I had found an ally in the most unexpected place: Josephine Tracy.

She was still my boss, but she had been less bitchy since she found out about Dereck and me, and taking away her sour disposition, she was actually a good boss, and an even better mentor.

It was true.

Josephine had taken me under her wing after I submitted my designs to the directors of designs, which included Josephine herself, and had impressed them all.

Everyone had gotten a chance to submit their work for all the partners, and they were going to pick the one they liked the best, and that design would be the company’s next big project.

I was excited.

And nervous.

I wasn’t worried that my project would be picked because of Dereck’s and my relationship. The submissions were totally anonymous. So even if Dereck wanted to pick my design simply because he loved me, he wouldn’t be able to.

And I wouldn’t have it any other way.

But work should be the furthest thing from my mind, especially today of all days.

It was my wedding day.

“Are you ready, sweetheart?” This came from Jerimiah, who stood next to me as I stared outside through the glass door leading to our backyard.

We were getting married at our home, right next to the lake. I hadn’t seen the finishing touches of the wedding decor, but what I had gotten a glimpse of looked like nothing less than a fairytale.

I knew Dereck was standing at the makeshift altar, even if I couldn’t see him, and next to him was Danny, his best man, and all the other partners at his firm.

And standing on the bride’s side was Ashley, Abby, Bethany, and yes, even Josephine, who made a big deal about not wanting to be a part of the wedding but was actually happy about it.

I was thankful for them, especially for Ashley, Abby, and Bethany, who I had grown close to these past few months.

“You promise to walk with me until the very end?” I asked, and I knew it was silly. I was going to be a married woman soon, and in less than six months from now, I would be a mother.

But still, there would always be a small part of me that wanted to seek out reassurance from my big brother.

Jerimiah wrapped his arms around me and pulled me in close. I buried my face into his chest, not caring that I might mess up my makeup.

“I promise to walk you down the aisle until the very end,” he said thickly. I didn’t need to look up to know he was crying, which was surprising, since I hadn’t seen him cry since our parents’ funeral. “And even after. I will always be here. A strong shoulder for you to lean on. I might be giving you to Dereck to care for and to protect for the rest of his life, but remember this, you were mine first. And I will always be here for you. Understand?”

“Yes,” I answered, and I realized I was crying.

Jerimiah pulled back and wiped away my tears with his thumb. “Good. Now come on. Before Dereck gets impatient and takes you away to elope instead.”

I let out a watery laugh and grabbed his arm.

That was what Dereck had wanted to do since we’d found out I was pregnant. Jerimiah had put his foot down, stating that he was not going to be deprived the honor of walking me down the aisle. My brother and my soon-to-be husband had a very weird relationship. They acted like they couldn’t stand each other, but were actually really close. They bonded over… me. I loved that. Loved that the two most important men in my life got along so well.

Jerimiah signaled for the music to begin, and the piano version of “Flightless Bird, American Mouth” rang out. Tears sprang to my eyes, and I let my big brother lead me out into my future.

I didn’t remember the walk down the aisle. I didn’t even remember the guests, even though I knew there weren’t many.

I only remembered Jerimiah handing me off to Dereck. I remembered how Dereck had taken me in his arms and held me tight. I even remembered how he had laid his hands over my belly, a look of awe overtaking his face, as if he couldn’t believe any of this was real.

I once told Dereck that I didn’t think I could be a mother at the expense of my career. He told me I could have everything I ever wanted because he would be there to support me through it all.

And he had done everything in his power since then to prove to me that was true.

I was scared to be a mom.

Afraid I might mess up along the way. Afraid I wouldn’t have what it took to be a good mom. But I wasn’t scared that I would ever put my career before my child, because I knew I would never have to.

I had the support of a good man.

We said our “I do’s” without hesitation. And Dereck’s vows wiped out all of my tenuous restraint.