Epilogue #2
He finds a cloth and cleans his dick, handing it to me to do the same as he tucks himself back into his jeans and buttons them up.
“What is this stuff?” I ask, pointing to the small amount left in the bowl.
“It’s butter and icing sugar,” he replies.
“Not cream, then?” That would explain why it tasted sweet.
“No, it was frosting for your birthday cake,” he laughs.
“I’ve had my cake,” I say, and he gives me his cute smile, which makes me need to kiss him again.
Simon - the next day
I give a satisfied look around the kitchen.
All the food for the party is ready, it just needs moving over to the ballroom where Andrés’ party will be.
His cake is perfect. I stayed late to redo the frosting, but I don’t begrudge a moment of how the first lot was used.
I’m a little nervous as this is my first catering test for Gabriel.
We open for real in a few weeks, and I know that his reputation for the restaurant rests on my efforts.
But I’ve done my best, so there’s nothing else I can do now.
The guests start arriving and I press aunt Lizzie and Uncle Ryan into helping me transfer the food.
They appreciate the kitchen, which makes me happy.
They’ve been supportive of my decision and I see them regularly.
I often pop down to the cafe for a new book or a coffee. Of course they adore Andrés.
Once the food is laid out on long tables, I remove my apron and grab a drink.
I intend to enjoy myself. I mingle and talk to those people I know.
What I like is that there’s no hierarchy and everyone who works on the estate is invited, as well as a few of Gabriel’s friends, who are becoming ours as well.
Kirsty and Alexa are amazing as always, and Linden is easy to talk to.
Andrés is charming and I stand back, enjoying watching him from afar.
Every so often he glances over to me, checking in and giving me a little smirk.
I remember the first day I saw him, his handsome face, gorgeous body, his playboy vibes.
He still has all that, though I know now that he only has eyes for me and he loves me.
“Penny for them,” Aunt Lizzie says, handing me another drink.
“A few months ago, I was penniless, homeless, and very lonely. Now all that has changed and my heart is so full I think it might burst.”
“You deserve to be happy, love,” she says and she gives me a large hug.
“Thank you,” I reply and wipe away the tear that forms when I realise my parents will never see this.
Judging by how little food is left, I think people enjoyed it.
I listen out for any comments, because all feedback is useful so I can improve my recipes.
Many of the guests are more than happy to help out with clearing away and washing up, and I’m grateful as I haven’t hired any staff yet.
Interviews are next week, and there’s no way I could have left anything for the next day.
Afterwards, and when the guests have gone, Gabriel goes back to the house with his friends, and Kirsty and Alexa offer us a lift back to the house. We elect to walk instead.
“Can we walk to the horses?” I ask and Andrés agrees. They’re in paddocks closer to the barns now that they’re being exercised, so we walk that way, the evening surprisingly warm for spring.
When we reach the paddocks, I lean on the gate and look over to where they’re grazing peacefully.
“I love how they never seem to have a care in the world,” I say, and I feel Andrés turn to look at me.
“Do you have any cares?” His brow creases slightly.
“Not anymore, thanks to you,” I say, and he turns fully around, resting his back on the gate.
“I’m sure I didn’t do much,” he says.
“You gave me hope, and that means a lot.” Then I remember I still have something for him. I reach into my pocket and pull out a small velvet bag. “Your birthday present,” I say, holding it out.
“You didn’t have to,” he says as he opens it. I wait patiently, biting my bottom lip, now suddenly nervous, hoping it was the right thing to get.
“Oh, this is—” He stops, his words dry up, and he swallows a few times. He holds the bracelet I had commissioned and made from Chispa’s hair gently on his hand. It’s intricately woven and inlaid into a silver band.
“It’s Chispa’s tail,” I explain. “I asked Jorge to get it for me.”
He still doesn’t speak, and for a minute I think I’ve made a mistake. Then he pulls me to him and crushes the breath from me.
“It’s the most beautiful thing I’ve ever been given.
Thank you,” he whispers with a shudder. He holds me tight for a long time, and I hug him back, putting everything into the contact we share.
Then he pulls back slowly and kisses me.
He places it round his wrist, where it looks stunning against his skin, Chispa’s red-brown hair with the silver contrast.
We walk hand in hand back to the house as the light begins to fade, the sky turning pink and orange. A perfect sunset after a perfect day.