BB3 Bonus Epilogue
Burning for Her
I didn’t quite understand what was happening between Zoe and me, but I knew that whatever it was, was worth pursuing. She was a part of my life and no matter what, she always would be. Because I was going to fight for her. One day, I’d give Zoe the happily ever after she deserved.
- Ryan
Bonus Epilogue
Hi Reader! I’m Kaye Kennedy, author of Burning for Her. I hope you enjoyed reading Ryan and Zoe’s story as much as I enjoyed writing it. I sat down for an interview with the happy couple to give you an inside look at their relationship. I know I’m happy for them, and I’m sure you are, too. So without further ado, let's see what they had to say, shall we?
We're sitting at the kitchen table at Ryan and Zoe's apartment.
Kaye Kennedy (KK):
Thank you both for being here today to talk about your relationship. I have so many questions, but first, give us an update on what's been happening in the last four, five months. Ryan, I hear your tattoo is finished.
Ryan Hogan (RH):
He lifts up the arm on his t-shirt
Yeah, it is. It’s pretty dope, right?
KK:
It seems to suit you. Can you tell our readers more about it?
RH:
As you know, it was Zoe’s idea. When she proposed it to me, I was still very uncomfortable with letting anyone see my scars. But once I went back to work and realized that the guys didn’t give a shit about them, I started to change my attitude a little bit. I also realized that I was being vain by thinking that the scars made me ugly. Zoe helped me realize that I was stupid to think like that.
Zoe Powers (ZP):
I never called you stupid.
RH:
No, you didn’t, but you know what I mean. I was being shallow, but then Zoe fell in love with me.
ZP:
And your scars.
RH:
And I didn’t care as much anymore.
KK:
Then why the tattoo?
RH:
Mostly because I’d already had it designed and the idea had grown on me. Also because I didn’t want to have to relive my story every time I met someone new who wanted to know the story behind them. Now, I only share when I want to.
KK:
I can understand that. Can you tell us what the dragon means?
RH:
For sure. So, my firehouse is the Jamaica Dragons and very literally, this represents that, but it also represents the dragon in me. Dragons are symbols of strength and wisdom, and the incident at that fire where I got my scars, forced me to grow up and reevaluate a lot of things in my life. In a way, my scars gave me strength and wisdom.
Then the flames have a two-fold meaning, as well. One is literal: fire. It’s a reminder of what I survived that day and an homage to what I do for a living. Second, it’s a symbol of my family’s legacy and also a tribute to my dad.
KK:
That’s truly beautiful, Ryan.
RH:
Thanks.
KK:
Moving on to the two of you. Obviously you're living together now.
RH:
Yes, we are.
He smiles at Zoe and reaches for her hand on top of the table.
KK:
I take it that's going well so far.
ZP:
It is. I was spending pretty much every night here anyway, so it just made more sense for us to move in together.
KK:
Tell our readers how that went down.
RH:
Zoe came home from work one night in the beginning of June—so like a little over a month after her birthday, and while she was in the shower, I added my apartment key to her keychain and I took the key to her place off of it. Then, I got into the shower with her and—
ZP:
Ohhh kay, they don’t want to hear that.
RH:
They read the book, baby. They’ve practically been in our bedroom.
ZP:
Anyway, so after we get out of the shower, Ryan says he wants to go to Martha’s for dessert before dinner.
RH:
We do that a lot.
ZP:
And he insisted that I drive because he didn’t want to take his car out in the rain.
RH:
She’s sensitive to the weather.
ZP:
She’s a car.
RH:
Shhh! She’s just outside, she might hear you.
ZP:
So, we go have dessert, and when we get home, Ryan says that he forgot his keys.
RH:
And she starts freaking out.
ZP:
I did not freak out.
RH:
Did too.
ZP:
He told me to just use my key.
RH:
But she insisted that she didn’t have a key. Even held up her keychain and dangled it in front of me.
ZP:
He snatched it from my hand and opened the door.
RH:
She stood out in the hall for like thirty seconds, just staring at me. I grabbed her hand and put her keys in her palm.
ZP:
When I looked down at it, I realized that my apartment key was missing, so I asked him what he did with it.
RH:
And I said: You won’t be needing it anymore. You live here now.
ZP:
And I said something along the lines of: Excuse me?
RH:
Not along the lines of, baby. That’s exactly what you said. Your mouth hanging open, looking all confused.
ZP:
And then he said, again: You live here now. To which I replied: What do you mean?
RH:
And then I told her that she was moving in with me.
KK:
You told
her?
RH:
You make that sound bad.
KK:
Didn’t she get a say in the matter?
ZP:
That’s what I said!
RH:
Yeah, but then I told you how much I loved you and that I wanted you around all of the time and it just made sense for you to move in because you were practically already living with me most days of the week.
ZP:
And he was actually super sweet about it. Plus, I wanted to live with him.
KK:
Moving in together is a big step.
ZP:
It is. The old Zoe would’ve run for the hills, but not anymore.
KK:
Why’s that?
ZP:
Therapy. It’s been life changing.
RH:
Ryan puts his arm around Zoe and pulls her close to him, then kisses her on the head.
I’m really proud of her. She’s made tremendous strides. Would you believe she actually talks to me now? I don’t have to beg to get her to do it either.
ZP:
Ryan’s been wonderful, too. He’s gone to see the therapist with me several times. It helps a ton with our communication.
KK:
That’s really great, you two. And thank you for being brave enough to talk about your healing process with our readers.
ZP:
Of course. There’s a negative stigma attached to therapy, and I must admit, I used to be a naysayer, but it’s changed my life. And if my story can encourage just one person to seek help who needs it, then putting myself out there like this is totally worth it.
KK:
Speaking of therapy and seeking help, are you all right with talking about Lauren for a minute?
ZP:
Absolutely.
KK:
In the book, we see how much your sister struggled and also how that impacted you. How is she doing now?
ZP:
Amazingly well. She’s still clean, she’s going to therapy and group sessions, and she has a job that she enjoys. She also ended up taking over my lease after I moved in with Ryan. It was his idea, actually.
RH:
Lauren got out of rehab a couple of weeks before Dylan and Autumn’s wedding and she had been staying at Zoe’s apartment anyway, so it was perfect timing.
ZP:
I can’t tell you what it’s like to have my sister back. Our relationship hasn’t been this good since we were teenagers.
KK:
I’m so glad to hear that. It sounds like things are going well for you both. Now, you mentioned the wedding. Can you give us some details?
RH:
We don’t want to spoil it since the readers will see it in Jace’s book, but it was epic.
KK:
Zoe, I hear you were a bridesmaid?
ZP:
I was! I actually teared up when Autumn asked me.
RH:
I did, too.
ZP:
Zoe looks up at Ryan adoringly.
Autumn’s become one of my best friends. Lana, too. I love them both like sisters. They’ve really accepted me into the family. Ryan’s brothers, as well. And his mom. She’s an angel.
RH:
Well, you’re easy to love, baby.
KK:
While on the subject of weddings, any news on Jesse and Lana’s nuptials?
RH:
They’re planning the wedding for next spring.
ZP:
It has been a little dramatic for Lana, though.
KK:
Oh? How so?
ZP:
Her mom suddenly wants to be involved after being basically absent from Lana’s life for years.
KK:
I can see how that’d be stressful.
RH:
Yeah, her mom’s got all these ideas on how the wedding should be. Jesse is ready to elope, but Lana wants the wedding.
ZP:
It’s a bit of a conundrum.
KK:
I guess our readers will have to wait and see how that plays out, then.
RH:
And then there's Jace.
KK:
Let’s talk about that for a sec. Ryan, you’re friends with, Jace. Were you surprised by what happens with him?
RH:
I don’t want to reveal too much, but yeah you can definitely say I was surprised. Jace is Dylan’s best friend, but we’ve all hung out with him over the past few years. He was a lot like Jesse and I were when it came to…dating.
ZP:
You can say it, Ry, it’s not a secret that you were a player.
RH:
Right. So, seeing him get serious has been shocking.
ZP:
The same can be said for Britt, too. Autumn says that Britt was a serial dater.
RH:
In a way, that makes them perfect for each other.
ZP:
That’s not the only reason. Yes, they’ve got some insane chemistry—anyone around them for thirty seconds can feel it, but there’s more depth there that I think the readers will be surprised to hear about.
RH:
It’s nuts how everyone is settling down. One of my brothers is married and the other one is practically married, too. But Kyle…I don’t know about him. It’s kinda sad. At family dinners, we all have someone except for him. He’s been even more irritated than usual, too, and I have a feeling that our relationships have something to do with it.
ZP:
He definitely has some stuff going on. We all hope he can work through it.
KK:
Me, too. And I’m sure our readers would agree. Before I let you guys go, any wedding bells in your future?
ZP:
Laughs
Not yet! I just took the MCAT and I’m waiting for my test results. Right now, we’re both focusing on our careers.
RH:
I’m really proud of Zoe. She’s dead set on going to medical school, and I want her to chase that dream. So, for now, we’re just enjoying where we’re at.
ZP:
Precisely.
KK:
I can fully understand that. I know I speak for everyone when I say that I’m thrilled the two of you are doing so well. And thank you for taking the time to chat with me today. We wish you all the best and can’t wait to see what happens next for you guys.
Burning for Fate is available now on Amazon. You can find out more about Ryan and Zoe, as well as the other Burning for the Bravest couples, while also getting to know Dylan and Autumn's best friends, Jace and Britt a bit better as they hunt for their own happily ever after. Happy reading!
Thank you for reading Burning for Her! If you loved Ryan and Zoe's story, please take a minute to write a review on Amazon and/or GoodReads. I rely on your reviews to help me continue to bring you stories that you'll love and other readers rely on them to discover new books, so your opinion truly makes a difference! Reviews increase the visibility of my books, which means the more I have, the less time I have to spend on marketing and the more time I have to write and bring you the next book!
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