Epilogue
One Year Later
Mallory
“Char, hurry up,” I holler from the kitchen. I’m trying to quickly ice the two dozen cupcakes she needs for her kindergarten class tomorrow. I wipe my hand across my forehead and instantly regret it. I know I have a smear of pink royal icing on my face.
I haven’t been in Valentine long, barely a year with all the paperwork and visa forms. I was able to sublet my place and had enough in my emergency fund to start over here.
By the time I was able to though, the original studio and apartment space were sold.
Jake helped me find a great studio in town and offered to let me move in.
Charlotte was enthusiastic about it because it meant every day was a girls’ day.
“Charlotte?” I shout again. When Charlotte doesn’t come bounding into the kitchen like she typically does, I shout for Jake.
“Hello? Anyone home?” I wipe my hands on my apron and head off to look for the normally noisy duo. I walk into the living room and spy two very large heart shaped balloons that Charlotte’s attempting to hide behind.
“I thought you wanted to help with the cupcakes. I pulled out all the sprinkles.”
“I wanted to help Daddy more” she whispers and Jake clears his throat.
I turn to face him; he’s wearing a dark grey suit. His red hair styled and his beard trimmed.
“I thought we weren’t leaving for dinner for another two hours?” I narrow my eyes at him as he takes a deep breath.
“Mallory Morin,” he kneels in front of me and I let out a loud gasp. He removes a small velvet box from his suit jacket pocket and opens it to show off a small silver band with emerald stones and tiny diamonds. Almost like a flower.
“Jake,” I whisper. I’m practically speechless.
“Will you marry me?”
“Yes!” I eagerly agree as he slides the ring on my finger and we kiss.
“Charlotte, you were such a great secret keeper,” Jake tells her as she runs to join us from behind the balloons.
“I never knew it was coming,” I add. Charlotte grins. “I love you both so much.”
“Now about those cupcakes,” Jake murmurs. And Charlotte runs off to the kitchen. “Now that she’s out of sight, come here,” he pulls me close against him and kisses me deeply. We pull apart when we hear a small crash, a bowl probably falling in the kitchen.
“I love you too,” Jake says as he gives me a soft peck on the cheek before he heads to check on the sound.
To think it all started with a silly little festival.
Hey you! Yes, you! Put down that next book, bestie! You just finished this one and you think you can just slink away into the night without leaving a review? Oh no, no, no.
We see you there, all cozy with your post-book glow, so here's your mission: Take 60 seconds.
Create a quick review. A few sentences about whether this book made you laugh, cry, or throw it across the room (gently, we hope).
Other readers are out there trying to decide if this book is worth their precious time, and YOU have thoughts and feelings they need to know.
Don't go all quiet on us now. The author didn't write this whole book just so you could ghost them at the finish line and they’ll be forever grateful.