Epilogue
Cami
Two months later
”And we’re open,” I announced to no one except Maddox, turning around a sign on the front door of Cami’s Corner.
A few seconds later, I decided to open the door and leave it like that because we had pleasantly warm April weather today.
”It smells like sun,” I said.
Maddox laughed, and I looked at him over my shoulder. He was at the counter, making coffee for both of us. Every weekend since I”d opened Cami’s Corner, he was here without exception, at least in the morning. He and I were just opening today. Marjorie, my right hand, should be in any minute now. It was a big day today—Gabe and Maddox were opening the hotel, and the whole family was coming to brunch. I still couldn’t believe he came here with me this morning at all.
He held up the two coffee cups and said, ”It”s ready for you—just the way you like it.”
Grinning, I hurried behind the counter-slash-front-desk, stepping up next to him. Instead of taking my coffee and drinking it, I grabbed both of our cups and set them on the reception desk. Taking his hands, I placed them strategically on my lower back so they weren”t on my ass, but he could tell what my intention was.
I wanted my man to fondle me right now. As far as I was concerned, that was the best way to start a day.
I pressed my mouth to his and felt him smile just as his hands slid down my ass just a bit. Oh yeah, hint absolutely taken.
I loved him to the moon and back. And no matter how many times I kissed him, I always felt a flutter in my belly and a tingling all over my body.
”You”ve got an appetite today, gorgeous,” he murmured as we pulled back.
”Mm,” I said, taking a sip of coffee, ”I do. I wonder why. But don”t read too much into it. I just wanted a good start to the day.”
Maddox started to laugh. ”Whatever my lady wants, my lady gets.”
”All right,” I said, slowly sliding into business mode after another sip. ”I”m going in the back to check on the pies.”
”Sure. I”ll stay here in case anyone decides to come early.”
Truth was, most people didn”t come very early on weekends, but you never knew.
I absolutely loved my life. My business was doing much better than I”d imagined. And the escape-room concept was a big hit. I changed the theme regularly, so people came back to try it each time.
The billiard and darts sections were also very popular in the cold season. I arranged the front as a bookstore and coffee shop, though I wasn”t actually selling books. It was really a library of sorts, which I”d started by accident.
From the very beginning, people loved to come by for coffee and my baked goods. Some of them brought books with them. Ms. Hendricks was the first one who asked if she could leave her book here so she didn”t have to carry it back and forth. I”d assured her it was more than fine. She insisted that she wouldn”t mind some other people reading it while the book was here, and word spread in Essex, as it always did. Before I knew it, I had to buy bookshelves. They”d filled up quickly.
I’d decorated everything in shades of cream and orange with wooden accents. If I had to describe Cami’s Corner in one word, it would be cozy.
There was a small kitchen in the back. I”d intentionally designed it that way because I didn”t want it to take up too much space. And let”s face it, I felt more at ease in a small kitchen anyway. I”d brought my mom”s recipe books here, and they had their own shelf between the oven and the sink. Even though I still made my banana bread daily—it was a staple with customers—I made it a point to bake something new out of Mom”s books every other day. It filled me with pure joy and made me feel closer to her.
I’d baked the pies yesterday evening at home because I didn’t want to wake up at the crack of dawn today, so I only needed to heat them up just a bit. I took them out of the oven, letting them cool on the counter. I was certain that by the time people filtered in, they”d be ready to be devoured.
I couldn’t help but glance at my ring. The style fit me perfectly. Every time I thought back to the proposal, I swooned. It had been the perfect spot and the perfect moment.
With nothing else to do, I returned to the front, stopping just a few feet behind Maddox and drinking him in.
Oh yeah. This was my man. I was going to spend the rest of my life next to him, and I was beyond happy about that. I walked stealthily, but of course he looked over his shoulder.
”Damn it, I wanted to surprise you,” I said, then put my hands on his shoulders. ”These are a tiny bit tense.”
I pressed my fingers into them, and Maddox dropped his head back, groaning. I loved taking care of him.
”You can always help me relax.”
”That’s my duty—” I rose on my tiptoes, bringing my mouth to his ear “—and my pleasure. Don”t you want to go to the hotel?” I asked him. ”It”s more than fine if you do.”
”We’ll be there soon enough anyway. Besides, everything”s ready. If I go there, I’ll just drive my team crazy.”
I tried not to laugh but failed.
”What was that?” he said, immediately turning around.
”Nothing.”
”That”s a smile. That”s not nothing.”
”I think your team is happy to have you off their hands. You might have been a bit sharp with them lately.”
”Who complained about that?” His tone was belligerent.
I grimaced. Ah, I shouldn”t have said that. ”Never mind.”
”Cami?”
I sighed. “Gabe.”
His eyes bulged. ”My own brother was complaining about me?”
”Well, not complaining, exactly. Just saying that you”re a bit intense. But no matter. He was happy you’re here this morning.”
”I see. So you”ve made a deal with my brother to keep me away from the team?”
”I said no such thing. I just promised that I”d keep you relaxed for today.”
Maddox wiggled his eyebrows. ”I know how we can make good on that promise.”
I rolled my eyes. Of course. Why didn”t I see this coming?
”No, but you”re getting another kiss.”
But I didn’t even manage that because Marjorie came bustling into the store.
”Oh my God, I”m so sorry I”m late.” She stopped in her tracks as I felt my face heat up.
“Don’t worry. And good morning,” I said. “I brought the pies from home today. I just heated them up here.”
She smiled, hurrying around us. “Great. I’m going to set everything up in the kitchen.”
Marjorie was only nineteen years old and a bit shy, but I felt that she enjoyed the job.
Maddox stared in the direction of the kitchen. The second she was out of earshot, he kissed my forehead and said, ”I think we”re scaring her away.”
”Probably.”
”Are you ready to go?” he asked me. We were stopping by the cabin to change before going to the hotel. Everyone was arriving for brunch in about two hours.
”Sure,” I said, then turned toward the kitchen. ”Marjorie,” I called.
”Yes?”
”We”re leaving. Call me if you need anything.”
”Will do.” But she never called. She truly was fantastic at manning this place all on her own.
On the way to the cabin, I checked if I had any messages from Dad, but there weren’t any. He was living his best life, traveling all over the US by himself. He”d gotten the idea from Maddox’s mom.
A few months ago, she”d visited us, spending two nights in Essex. We went out to dinner with her and Dad, and after listening to her stories about solo traveling, he booked a trip to the Grand Canyon. He loved it so much that he decided to head to San Francisco. He was coming back next week.
Once we arrived, I headed directly to my bedroom. Oh, I loved my home so much, but I couldn’t wait for the new house to be ready. This space was small for two people.
“I’ll be right out,” I called to Maddox. We’d both laid out the clothes we wanted to wear. He’d taken his to the living room, and I”d set my outfit on the bed. All I had to do was change into my gorgeous pink dress. It had a deep V-neck and reached my ankles. It wasn”t a gown per se, but it was perfect for a brunch in such an elegant establishment as the Whitleys” new hotel.
Miriam helped me pick it out from Ms. Danvers”s shop. My friend was about to give birth any minute now. I couldn”t wait to hold the small bundle of joy.
After putting on the dress, I looked at myself in the mirror, touching Mom’s pendant. I was wearing it almost all the time. I put on a sweater jacket and a light coat before heading to the living room.
I nearly swallowed my tongue when I saw Maddox in his brand-new suit.
”Oh, this is a whole new level of sexiness,” I purred.
One corner of his mouth lifted. ”You know, you’re starting to give me ideas,” he said, slowly approaching me.
He took both my hands and spun me once around the room before pulling me toward him. I tilted my head up, and he brushed his lips against mine.
”I love you, woman. I”m so proud of what we have.”
”So am I,” I said. Some days I almost couldn”t believe how happy we were, supporting each other in our endeavors, just living each day with love and respect.
He held me flat against his chest, moving his fingers from my jaw down to my neck. Then he grinned.
”What?”
”I want to take this dress off you. Or just pin you against this door,” he almost growled.
I shimmied my hips. ”Why don”t you do it?”
”No, a few Whitleys are already at the hotel. Gabe texted me.”
”What time is it? I swear I hurried.”
He laughed. ”Relax. Everyone is just early. But we should still go.”
”You’re right. I’m excited.”
“So am I.”
***
The Essex Hotel was a thing of beauty. It was a completely modern structure with a huge lobby, and it was made almost entirely out of marble, wood, and limestone. The use of natural materials gave the space the feeling of being outdoors.
”Goodness, we”re really late,” I murmured.
Gabe and Diane were chatting with Abe and Jeannie, who were sitting on the brown leather couches by the window. I only realized that Spencer and Penny were already here when I saw Ben break into a run across the lobby.
”The little guy is fast,” I said.
”He”s getting faster by the day,” Maddox replied. Spencer was already chasing him, though, so I wasn”t too worried.
”Hey, everyone. Sorry we weren”t here to welcome you,” Maddox said.
Gabe laughed. ”Don”t worry, brother. That”s why I came a bit early. I knew at least part of the gang would be too excited to wait for eleven o”clock.” He turned to face the group. ”We can go into the brunch room now. The team has yet to set up some things, but they”ve got a few snacks ready.”
”All right,” I said just as Jeannie and Abe got up from the couch.
A few more voices came from the entrance area. Jake and Colton and Cade arrived with their respective better halves, and Nick too. Only Leo was missing.
After greeting the newcomers, Gabe ushered us all into the restaurant. It wasn’t very big, but even so, it allowed plenty of space for hotel guests and other customers. I”d only been here once, when it was still under construction. Today was the first time I”d seen the end result, and it was absolutely gorgeous. Unlike the lobby, it had more limestone than marble and far more wood. The staff had already set up chafing dishes, although I could tell that many were still missing.
”Boys, the hotel is absolutely beautiful,” Jeannie exclaimed.
Both Gabe and Maddox looked very proud of themselves, as they should. It was an ambitious project, and they”d worked hard.
“Thank you, Gran,” Maddox said.
”Does anyone know when Leo is arriving?” I asked.
Nick cleared his throat. “He”s on his way, and I need to warn you all about something.”
Maddox cocked a brow. ”What”s wrong?”
”Nothing. But he”s coming with Tory.”
”What?” the whole group exclaimed at once.
”Didn”t Tory just get married?” Jeannie asked.
”She canceled the wedding the day before it was supposed to take place. Found out her ex was cheating on her,” Nick explained.
I gasped, covering my mouth. ”Oh my God. Poor woman.” I didn’t know who Tory was, exactly—I’d have to ask Maddox later—but anyone being cheated on was a horrible thing. It made me sad.
”So she”s been here ever since,” Nick said.
”Define here,” Jeannie replied. ”The hotel here? Or is she living with Leo?”
”She”s staying at Leo’s house,” Nick said in a noncommittal yet warning tone. ”Anyway, he figured it would be a nice distraction for her to come here today and celebrate with us.”
”Of course,” Gabe said. ”The more, the merrier.”
”Just don”t ask too many questions about why she”s here, how long she”s staying, or any of that,” Nick said.
Jake and Colton both narrowed their eyes. Cade opened his mouth in what was clearly protest, but Spencer threw him a warning look. Cade closed his mouth again.
“Message received,” Gabe said.
“Great.” Nick clapped his hands together. “Now, I want some breakfast.”
”Not so fast, young man,” Jeannie said, walking right next to him.
He looked around once, clearly begging for help, but we all pretended we were starving and headed to the chafing dishes.
”Who is Tory?” I asked Maddox as we went to the egg station. They’d made omelets, although you could always order a fresh one.
”She used to be Leo”s best friend. I personally thought he always had a crush on her.”
“Don”t you think it”s weird that he didn”t tell you she was coming?”
He wrinkled his brow. ”Yeah, makes me suspicious. Why hide it from me? And why does Nick know?”
“By the way, why is your Gran still questioning Nick?”
“She probably figures he knows more details. Guess who also thinks that Leo had a crush on Tory?”
”You think she”s going to start with her matchmaking shenanigans?”
”You can bet on it.” Maddox smirked, and I laughed as I loaded my plate with an omelet.
Shortly after, there was a flurry of activity at the door of the restaurant. Leo came in with an absolutely stunning blonde. Half of the Whitleys went to the entrance to greet them.
”Come on, let”s go,” Maddox said, ”before they start pouncing on my brother.”
”What”s our strategy?” I asked. ”Are we taking his side or doing the exact opposite?”
Maddox chuckled, kissing my forehead. “Fuck, I love you more and more with each passing day, woman. You”re a Whitley through and through. To answer your question, I haven”t made my mind up yet. But we can”t miss out on all the fun.”
We both put our plates down on the nearest table and headed to the entrance. Maybe it was because of what Maddox had just shared, but I thought Leo was looking at Tory with far more than just friendship. Though perhaps I was imagining things.
Time would tell.
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