Tied (Tangled, #4) by Emma Chase
For Joe, G & J
You will always be my happily ever after
Acknowledgments
As I wrote the final lines of Tied, I admit it—there were tears in my eyes. Lots of them. Because my sweet, sexy, infuriating boy, Drew Evans, has at last grown into a man.
Mostly.
Tied is the final major installment of his and Kate’s love story. That’s not to say there won’t be more books or novellas, extra scenes or prequels involving the Tangled Series characters in the future—these characters whisper loudly and often. But Tied is definitely Drew and Kate’s very happily-ever-after.
And I have loved writing every word—every moment—in their heartfelt and hilarious journey.
It takes more than one person to make a good manuscript into a great book. In fact, it takes a village. A team who believes in the author and adores the story. I am so fortunate to be able to work with the best, most amazing team, who are fantastic at their jobs and wonderful people as well.
I’d like to thank Amy Tannenbaum of the Jane Rotrosen Agency for her constant support and superb guidance, and for telling me I’m being ridiculous when I am. I’m so grateful for my editor, Micki Nuding, for her fabulous insight, humor, and for truly understanding and enjoying these characters as much as I do. Thanks to my publicist, Nina Bocci, for being on top of so many things—I’d lose my mind without you. Huge thanks to Juliana Horbachevsky and Kristin Dwyer, my Gallery Books publicists, for your contagious energy, hard work, and beautiful support (clear eyes, full hearts, can’t lose). To my publisher, Jen Bergstrom, and president, Louise Burke, and my entire Gallery Books family—it’s a pleasure and an honor to work with you.
I am grateful to all my author friends—thank you for showing me that craziness comes with the writing territory. Hugs to all my online friends and bloggers who have loved these characters from the beginning, and have paved the way for so many readers to love them, too.
I’m beyond grateful for my family—thank you for your excitement, patience, understanding, and love.
Finally, to my readers—thank you for being a part of the laughter, heartache, and joy of the Tangled series characters. And thank you for allowing me to share my stories with you.
Prologue
There are moments in life that you dream about—plan for. You imagine every detail in crisp, vivid color and high-definition sound. And when that one perfect moment finally arrives, you pray the reality will come close to the fantasy you’ve built up in your mind.
And then there are those precious few times—when the reality blows your fantasy out of the fucking water.
That’s what this is like for me.
Because that devilishly handsome man, in the perfectly fitted Armani tuxedo, standing at the altar of St. Patrick’s Cathedral—that’s me. Drew Evans.
And Katherine Brooks just stepped into the church. Waiting in the back, a stunning vision in white, ready to take her first step down the aisle.
To me.
Most guys don’t dream about their wedding—you don’t need me to tell you that. But this isn’t just any wedding. This is a landmark event. Revolutionary. Because for most of my life, I didn’t entertain the slightest possibility that I’d end up here.
Sand to the beach, books to the library—it wasn’t what I wanted, remember?
But Kate did the impossible. She changed all that—she changed me. I think we can all agree I was pretty frigging awesome before . . . but now I’m even better.
The road to this day wasn’t all rainbows and boners. There were some potholes—mistakes—and misunderstandings worthy of a Greek fucking tragedy. But we made it through those times with our inexhaustible lust, boundless admiration, and everlasting love for one another intact.
That being said, some unexpected developments last weekend could have been a problem. It was . . . kind of . . . my final test.
I know what you’re thinking: What the hell did you do this time?
Relax. Let’s hold off on the judgments—and the calls for my castration—until you hear the whole story. Just remember: even though the noblest intentions can go awry, and they do, this story has a happy ending.
Chapter 1
One week earlier
The apartment is silent. Still. The kind of quiet that can only be found in the predawn hours when the sky is dark and gray. The place has changed since you saw it last. Take a look around. Sterilized sippy cups lie in wait on a countertop; a green-cushioned, wooden high chair sits in the corner of the kitchen. Framed photographs clutter the walls and shelves.