Epilogue
ANNIE
"I don't know how he convinced her." I shake my head as I study the purple sign that caught me by surprise. I can't believe my mom didn't mention this part of the remodel. Not once over the past eight months.
Miles huffs out a laugh as he puts his arm over my shoulder. "Luca is a lawyer. He can convince anyone of almost anything when he tries hard enough."
HKLD BED she likes him. She looks around quickly to make sure the four of us are alone before asking, "How did the meeting go? Is your cozy cast coming to television soon?" She pauses for a second and then asks my grandfather, "Do we have a television?"
He smiles fondly. "Yes, dear. We own a television. Three, in fact."
"Three!" She sounds genuinely shocked.
Miles reaches for my hand again, connecting us.
"We don't know anything for sure yet." Miles has been careful not to get too invested in the potential TV deal that came up a few months ago for his most popular mystery series. We've been told by the entertainment lawyer that Luca recommended that these kinds of deals fall apart all the time.
The producer loved Miles' surly attitude, though. And while he'll never admit such a thing, I think Miles liked the producer's overly optimistic vibe. I think there's a good chance that Miles' books are going to make it to the small screen.
"Well, if we need to make any phone calls..." My grandmother trails off, letting the offer hang in the air. She would probably fund the entire show for Miles if he would agree.
He won't, though.
With a popular new book on the market, Miles is making enough money that he doesn't need Luca's financial help for college anymore. We're also moving out of the apartment Luca owns this summer and into a house near campus that Miles bought so that we can expand the size of our library.
Whatever comes next, Miles is looking forward to not answering to anyone else over money ever again.
"I better get inside," I announce, cutting the conversation off from going any further. "I haven't seen Mom yet to congratulate her."
"Oh, of course. And we're going to have some of those delightful appetizers coming out of the kitchen." My grandfather pats his stomach. I have a feeling he's already tried a few based on the happy hum he does.
I walk into the big, Victorian house first with Miles close behind, followed by my grandparents. They skirt around us to head toward the kitchen at the back of the house.
I've seen the place in all stages of remodeling, but this is my first time seeing the bed and breakfast with all the little details in place. My mom kept a lot of the Victorian charm intact with the glamorous staircase, chunky baseboards and crown molding, and old wood tones. She made the place her own by adding a mad dash of color all over. The funky colors brighten the entryway, and I can see into the living areas on either side of the house where the rainbow of accents has spread.
Next to the front desk, a bookshelf proudly displays Miles' entire backlist of cozy mysteries. Including some excess stock listed for sale. I was there when my mom begged Miles to autograph his entire collection for her. We didn't know this display was planned.
I'm so touched that I don't glance Miles' way to see his reaction for fear that I'll burst into tears when we just got here. Not exactly the way I want to kick off an opening party.
My mom hasn't noticed us yet even though we're mere feet away from her now. She's behind the front reception desk with Luca, smiling up at him like he's telling her all the secrets of the world with only his eyes.
He always looks at her the same way.
I glance over to Miles hoping to make a joke about the two of them and find him already looking at me. His lips tip up at the corners when I catch him staring.
"You're beautiful and I love you."
My heart pitter-patters. "I love you too."
"For the love of tacos and Betty White, there you are!" Mom dodges around the desk and hurls herself toward me. "Can you believe this is happening today?"
"After overhearing the way Luca threatened the renovations team if they didn't meet the deadline? Yes, yes I can absolutely believe this is happening just as planned."
She huffs at me even as she reaches out to steal me from Miles and wrap me up in a tight hug. She squeezes me so tightly that I can't breathe until she releases me. I wince as I rub at my rib cage while backing away before she can try to squeeze me to death again in her excitement.
"I didn't threaten anyone," Luca protests quietly behind her.
He kind of did, but I let him off the hook and change the subject.
"I just have one question for you, Mom..." I tap my finger against my chin. "Are you sure you don't just want to stay Luca's assistant forever?"
Behind her, Luca grimaces and shakes his head quickly.
Mom tosses her hair and laughs so loudly that she garners the attention of many of her guests. "Luca and I both know that wasn't exactly the perfect long-term fit." She looks back at him. "There are other positions under him that I like better."
Miles and I both groan.
Luca chuckles as the tips of his ears turn pink. He ducks his head sheepishly, and my mom laughs again. She's good at amusing herself, even when the rest of us are a little horrified. I do not want to think about my mom's sex life.
"Turned out I was right that Hannah wasn't a good fit for your office," Miles muses. "She's a great fit for your life, though. The two of you are good together. This is a nice place you built together. After seeing the mockery my dad made of marriage, I never thought I would see a couple that makes marriage seem rational again."
My mom beams with pride.
Luca's lips curl devilishly. "Is that what's next for the two of you then... marriage?"
"No!" Miles and I both shout simultaneously before sheepishly looking at each other. We're very much in love. We're also very much not ready for that step. We already moved in together sooner than we would have in other circumstances. There's no need to rush the next parts of our life together.
I clarify, "We both have degrees to finish first before marriage is on the table."
"Thank tacos and Betty White." My mom dramatically sighs with relief. "Because I'm far too youthful to be a grandmother any time soon. Can you imagine me having to share all that attention with a baby?"
I can only shake my head at her.
"We have been thinking a lot about what comes next for us," Miles says, his tone casual but body tensing.
I raise my eyebrows at him. I'm not sure where he's going with his statement. There's one thing we have discussed but I didn't think we were at the point of announcing anything. He quirks an eyebrow at me and smiles wide, and I realize that's exactly what he's about to announce. My heart rate kicks up a notch.
"And?" my mom prompts impatiently.
Miles tugs me close and kisses the top of my head. "M. Duffy has decided to try out a new co-writer."
As Mom and Luca begin to rave about how excited they are to see what we write together, I bask in the warmth of being loved. My life feels more full than ever, and now I truly know without a doubt...
Miles believes in me.
And these two book nerds lived happily ever after.