Epilogue
LILA
TWO AND A HALF YEARS LATER
The bell dings above the door, and I look up to see Maren and Cooper walk into Planet Playland. I’m not sure what they’re doing here, but I give them a wave and they walk over to me. “Are you busy?” Maren asks. “Can you get away for a quick second to talk?”
“Sure. Hang on.” I text one of my employees to come and watch the front counter while I take a break. It’s almost closing time anyway and there aren’t many people here. “Is everything okay?”
They follow me over to one of the tables where Cooper slaps down some papers. “Everything is great. Now sign this.”
I raise my eyebrows at his demand and sit down to read it. It’s paperwork to transfer the deed of the building to me. When I look over at him, he adds, “You said you’d accept the building from us as a gift if your business did well. You’re killing it here so no more excuses.”
I know it’s nothing to him because he has so much money, but it’s a huge deal for me. I’ve struggled with it and tried to argue that I could make payments or they could sell it to me through a contract, but he won’t hear it.
“Does he boss you around?” I ask Maren, and she smirks.
“He tries to. But I’m on his side.” She sits across from me. “You’ve done a great job here. You’re packed every weekend and all summer. You’ve earned it whether you think so or not. If it makes you feel better, we totally paid off Cara and Row’s house as a wedding gift.”
They tied the knot a couple of weeks ago and just returned from their honeymoon. Of course, Maren wants to help her friends now that she has money. I would’ve done the same and so would Cara.
“I love you both, you know that?” I ask, tearing up as I sign the paperwork.
“We love you too,” Maren says.
Our attention is diverted by the sound of running footsteps, and tiny arms wrap around my leg. “Lala!” She looks up at me with bright blue eyes. “Sit down?”
“No, Sutton isn’t here today.” The way she says his name is hilarious.
“Sorry if she interrupted!” Mandy exclaims, scooping up my niece, Hanna. “She’s such a terror since she turned two.”
“Aw, not with that sweet face, she couldn’t be,” I tease, taking her from Mandy and kissing her cheek. She only lets me hold her for a second before clambering to get down and run off again. Mandy throws me an amused, exhausted look as she goes after her.
“She looks like Amos,” Maren says, watching her. “Except the hair.”
“Yeah, she definitely has his face.” Her gorgeous fiery hair came straight from her mother.
“Does he still see her?” she asks as Cooper wanders away to talk on his phone.
“She stays with him and Mom every other weekend.”
Mandy and Amos’s reconciliation didn’t last long, not even until the baby was born.
Mandy is doing great. She works from home and recently bought a small house for her and her daughter.
Mom moved out of her apartment and into a cheaper two bedroom on the other side of town so Amos could live with her.
It’s her retirement fund that’s paying his child support as well, but that’s none of my business.
Things have never gone back to normal between me and them but that isn’t a bad thing. I still see them sometimes and we keep things civil.
After Maren and Cooper have left, I close up the place, then call Sutton to give him the good news. He’s thrilled for me and insists on taking me out to celebrate.
“Go get ready,” he says. “I’ll be there soon.”
I rush to take a shower and dress. Most of my clothes and things have migrated to his house since we stay there more often. There’s more room for the dogs to run and play while we spend evenings out by a bonfire or cuddled on his couch.
He didn’t say where we’re going, only advised me to dress to be outside. It’s a warm night, so I put my hair into a french braid to keep it out of my face and choose a lightweight dress.
The sound of his footsteps on the stairs throws a flutter into my stomach. It’s ridiculous how he affects me when we see each other every day. He steps up behind me as I’m putting my earrings on and presses his lips to my neck.
“Are you trying to kill me tonight, gorgeous? You look incredible.” He gently tugs the end of my braid. “I love this.”
“Hmm.” My eyes fall closed at his touch. “Show me a good time tonight and you can pull it harder later.”
“I’ll hold you to that. Are you ready to go?”
I turn around and get a look at him when he steps back. He’s dressed in dark jeans and a white button up shirt. His sleeves are rolled up to display his tattooed forearms. He’s freshly shaven and his dark wavy hair has been trimmed.
“I was but now I’m reconsidering,” I confess, running my hand down his chest. “You make that shirt look illegal.”
His brown eyes sparkle, and he catches my hand. “Don’t tempt me.”
We head down to his car. “Are you going to tell me where we’re going?”
“Owensboro has a music festival on the riverfront tonight. I thought we could get dinner first then listen to some music.”
“That sounds fantastic.”
He settles his hand on my leg like he always does when he’s driving, and keeps it there until we get to the steakhouse. It’s packed and I expect a long wait, but he’s thought ahead and made a reservation.
The food is delicious and we talk about how our day has been. “Mandy brought Hanna in to play today. She was looking for Sit Down.”
A smile inches across his face. “That’s Uncle Sit Down to her.” We’ve babysat for Mandy a few times and Hanna has him wrapped around her finger. “Did you invite them over for the Fourth of July?”
“I did. They’ll be there.”
“Crow dug under the fence again. I’ll have to fix it tomorrow.” Dusty is an angel compared to the antics of Sutton’s dog.
“Crow thinks the word no means wait until they aren’t looking,” I laugh.
After dinner, we go downtown where multiple stages have been set up along the riverfront. Food trucks are scattered around along with pop up bars selling drinks. It’s crowded but such a fun atmosphere, and we’re just in time to hear a local band play.
Sutton’s hands never seem to leave me over the next couple of hours. Whether we’re dancing, or he’s standing behind me with his arms around me, or walking between the stages, he doesn’t let go. He’s always affectionate but tonight feels different. I love every second of it.
When another band wraps things up, he leans down to talk into my ear. “Let’s take a walk and get some air.”
I nod, and he takes my hand. The night air feels cooler once we get away from the crowd. “It’s beautiful here,” I remark as we walk along the riverfront, letting the noise of the festival fade.
“I’m glad you think so.” He drops my hand and stops walking. When I turn around, he’s on one knee, looking up at me.
My heart is going to punch through my chest. I can’t breathe.
His voice is confident, but vulnerability shines in his eyes. “Delilah, you’re my best friend and my favorite person in the world. I love every minute with you. I love you, and I couldn’t wait another day to ask you to be my wife. Will you marry me?”
Light glints off the beautiful ring he’s holding. I didn’t see this coming at all. “Oh my god.” It’s the only words I can get out at first.
There’s a slight tremor in his voice as he asks, “Oh my god, yes? Or oh my god, no?”
“Yes,” I utter, nodding like crazy when tears choke me up.
A bright smile bursts across his face and he gets up, pulling me into his arms. “Way to scare the hell out of me, sweetheart.”
Laughing, I squeeze him tight. “I love you. I’d love to be your wife.” The long passionate kiss we share standing by the river in the moonlight is one I’ll never forget.
Life is so funny. Three years ago, the idea of being friends with Sutton would’ve felt ridiculous. Now, I can’t imagine my life without him.
And I don’t have to.
THE END
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