Epilogue
Samuel
Tip #34: Live happily ever after!
T he soft glow of fairy lights illuminated Warner Print’s campus cafeteria, turning it from a modern but tastefully elegant lobby into a romantic oasis. Long tables draped in white linens were adorned with vibrant floral arrangements from McBride Farm & Greenhouse, and fanciful balloon arches lined the walls, bringing spots of color to our engagement party. My heart swelled with happiness as I watched my beautiful fiancée mingle with my family.
Natalie had changed into a stunning black cocktail gown after the Friends of the Library meeting, showcasing her slender figure. She laughed, her expressive green eyes sparkling as she chatted with my grandfather, Jenna, and Owen.
“Congratulations on the engagement, Sam.” Isaac raised his beer bottle in salute as he approached me. “For real this time, huh?”
“Thanks. I couldn’t have done it without your help in making up with Natalie.” I paused, then added, “I’m grateful to both our families for forgiving us for the lies and supporting our real relationship.”
“Of course, I’d support you. We’re twins.” Isaac took a sip of his beer, then added, “I’m happy for both you and Natalie, but especially for you since you’ve been hopelessly in love for so long.”
I sheepishly chuckled. “Yeah. I sometimes worry this is all a dream. Despite all my plans and hopes, I was losing faith I’d ever win Nat over.”
“Let’s be real. You never stood a chance,” Isaac informed me with all the emotion of a rock. “It was Natalie who you fell in love with, so you needed her cooperation to get anywhere, particularly since you were indescribably bad at flirting with her.”
“That’s probably true.”
Our conversation fell silent, and we turned our attention to the bingo tournament unfolding on the far side of the room. Grandma Mann and Mother had taken charge. Grandma Mann called out numbers with the gusto of a TV host and had somehow convinced Mother to act as a model of sorts and run the bingo machine. Mother pulled a selected bingo ball from the hopper and placed it on the ball tray with fancy flourishes while Grandma Mann barked at Uncle Mike that he couldn’t play on his card and his children’s abandoned cards at the same time.
I watched for a few moments before my gaze wandered from the chaotic bingo game to Natalie. She had parted with Grandfather, Jenna, and Owen and now was chatting with some of her coworkers.
Isaac took another sip of his beer. “You know, I’m surprised Connor and Max managed to clear their schedules and fly in for the party.” He gestured in the direction of our cousins. (Connor was playing bingo with great determination. He made for an amusing picture, as he was seated between Marjorie and Natalie’s Great Aunt Irma. Max was in the karaoke corner, belting out a Disney song that had the kids jumping around.)
“Really? You’re surprised, even though you’ve been nothing but nosy since Natalie and I first announced we were dating?” I wryly asked.
Isaac shrugged. “I’m your twin. And I was shocked you’d managed to keep the biggest win of your life silent—which is why I wasn’t that surprised when I found out the whole thing was originally fake.”
“Connor and Max feel similarly. Connor told me they wanted to see for themselves that Natalie actually loved me and that I wasn’t paying her or blackmailing her.”
Isaac nodded. “That sounds like them. They’re coming to Mother’s for brunch tomorrow, correct?”
“Yeah. Natalie insisted.” I sighed.
Isaac raised his beer bottle in a toast. “Good luck.”
My attention strayed back to Natalie. “Thanks.”
Isaac shifted. “And with my well wishes communicated, I think I’m going to call it a night.”
“Really?” I asked, surprised. “Why?”
“I’ve had my fill of people for the day,” Isaac dryly said. “Besides, there’s no point in hanging around you when all you’re going to do is gawk at your fiancée.”
I laughed. “Fair enough.”
Charlotte, Isaac’s brilliant assistant, must have read Isaac’s mood, because she headed our way with a businesslike smile. “Good evening, Samuel. Congratulations again on your happy engagement.”
“Thanks, Charlotte.”
“Of course.” Charlotte pivoted to Isaac. “Is it time to leave?”
“Yes,” Isaac said. “You’re coming,” he stated more than asked.
“Yes, but we need to say goodbye to Natalie first,” Charlotte said.
“Why?” Isaac asked. “She’s not going to notice I’m gone with most of the town here.”
“You need to be polite to your future sister-in-law,” Charlotte said, cementing her role as Isaac’s unofficial social director.
“I suppose you’re right. Let’s go say our goodbyes.” Isaac affectionately squeezed my shoulder. “Good night, Sam. Enjoy your night.”
“Good night, Isaac.” I slapped his back. “And thanks. Don’t go back to work, OK?”
“Right, right.”
Isaac offered his arm to Charlotte, and the duo strolled off in Natalie’s direction.
A screech of a microphone followed by a yelp and then a chorus of giggles snapped me out of my reverie. Turning toward the source of the commotion, I got to see Ryan—who’d been purposely singing a Christmas carol off-key, crouched on the ground by the microphone and theatrically crying while Keely, Anna, and Noah threw balloons at him.
“Such harsh critics! I am wounded!” Ryan shouted.
Chuck barked and ran back and forth between Ryan and the kids, jumping and snapping at the balloons and occasionally crashing into Ryan in the process.
Watching the chaos unfold, I felt like the luckiest man alive. Everything that had led to this moment with Natalie seemed almost too good to be true.
“Are you having fun?” Natalie asked as she approached me, her eyes sparkling with mischief.
“Of course.” I snuck an arm around Natalie’s waist and pulled her flush against my chest. “How could I not be when I’m engaged to the most amazing woman in the world?”
Natalie blushed, her cheeks turning an adorable shade of pink. I gave in to my desire and slowly and reverently kissed Natalie. Having her in my arms, her lips molding to mine as she stood on tiptoe to twine her arms around my neck, I felt more content than I’d ever been in my life.
Madison gave a wolf whistle as she sauntered past us. “Aww, seeing you two kiss almost makes me forget about Nat’s once dearly held annual tradition of smashing a pie in your face during the Fox Creek summer fair!”
Natalie pulled back from our kiss. “Thank you, peanut gallery, for your unwanted comments.”
Madison winked. “Oh, I’m just getting started! Wait until the toasts start, then I’m going to bust out the story about that time Samuel bid on the mayor-for-a-day experience the city auctioned off for the playground fundraiser and he made you follow him around for the whole day.” Madison thoughtfully tapped her chin. “You know, in hindsight it’s really obvious Samuel had a thing for you, Nat, once you understand just how poor his communication skills are.”
“Thanks, Madison,” I dryly said. “I do so look forward to becoming related to you once Nat and I are married.”
Natalie chuckled as she rested her head on my chest.
The room buzzed with conversation and laughter, creating a festive atmosphere as we took in the sights and sounds of our friends, family, and the residents of Fox Creek enjoying our engagement party.
“I love you, Samuel,” Natalie whispered as she leaned back just enough to look up at me, her smile warm with affection.
“I love you too, Natalie,” I murmured back, my heart swelling with love.
“I’ve got it!” Madison announced—she apparently hadn’t felt like she’d been obnoxious enough already. “You two should write a book: A Guide to Fake Dating Your Enemy !”
The End