Epilogue 1 Mary
It's the St. Patrick's Day Gala.
And somehow, somewhere between Sister Agnes's original idea of “a little fundraiser in the church hall” and the Volkovs and Furys getting involved, things escalated.
Wildly.
No more folding tables and paper shamrocks.
No more Bingo prizes and bake sales.
Nope.
We're at the Stargazer Hotel.
The Stargazer.
The same gorgeous hotel where Holly Winters Kane planned Christmas events before she married Noel.
And apparently once Holly takes charge of something?
Magic happens.
The ballroom is breathtaking.
Everything glows in shades of emerald and gold.
A million lights sparkle overhead.
Fresh flowers decorate every table.
There are authentic Irish beers.
Traditional Irish dishes presented on beautiful little tasting plates.
Live musicians.
Dancing.
Silent auctions.
Raffles.
A whiskey tasting station.
A chocolate fountain.
And enough people to fill the ballroom twice over.
I still can't believe this is happening.
The Bingo squad arrived in style because Aella Ramirez somehow arranged private Greyhound buses for all the seniors.
They're having the time of their lives.
Mrs. Romano is dancing with Father Peter.
Mr. Giancarlo is winning at the silent auction.
And Sister Agnes is pretending not to enjoy herself while secretly enjoying every second.
Mom is here too.
And apparently Arnold Miller from the knitting club has become something more than Harold Miller.
Seeing the two of them together makes me smile.
She deserves happiness.
Everyone does.
And because of tonight—Our Lady of Grace Academy gets its gym.
And not just the gym.
A new auditorium.
A new church hall.
An outdoor recreation center.
Volkov Industries is overseeing every contractor.
Sigma is providing security.
Everything is happening.
Everything.
It's perfect.
Almost.
Because Kai isn't here.
Yet.
I bite my lip and smooth my hands over my dress.
Emerald green.
Soft and flowing.
The neckline sweeps into a sweetheart shape that Sabrina insisted made my “assets look heavenly.”
Thin, draped sleeves slip off my shoulders.
My hair is curled.
Glossy.
And I've worn more makeup than I normally do.
Not because I want attention.
Not because I need validation.
Because I wanted to feel beautiful tonight.
Because I wanted him to look at me and smile.
And honestly?
I miss him.
I know he's been working so hard.
I know the investigation isn't finished—in fact, Joel Jonas is MIA and honestly, good riddance.
So, yeah, I know Kai is busy.
But I still miss him.
Because apparently I'm one of those women now.
The ones who stare at the entrance waiting for their man.
God help me.
“You're doing it again.”
I jump.
Sabrina laughs beside me.
“What?”
“Watching the door.”
“I'm not.”
“You absolutely are.”
I sigh.
“Fine.”
She grins.
“You love him.”
I nearly choke on my champagne.
“Sabrina!”
“What?”
“It's too soon.”
She snorts.
“Tell that to the look on your face.”
Before I can argue—the room shifts.
Not literally.
But somehow I feel it.
Like the atmosphere changes.
Like my body recognizes him before my brain catches up.
And then I see him.
Oh.
My.
God.
It’s Kai—but not like I’ve ever seen him.
Black tuxedo.
White shirt.
No tie because apparently rules are merely suggestions to Kai Montego.
The top button undone.
And thank heavens for that because I can still see the dark ink of his tattoos peeking above his collar.
His hair is slightly messy.
His shoulders are broad enough to block out half the room.
And Christ.
He's beautiful.
Not pretty.
Not handsome.
Beautiful.
The kind of masculine perfection women write songs about.
The kind of man who looks like sin wrapped in expensive fabric.
And he's mine.
Well.
Not mine, mine.
But—oh, who am I kidding?
Mine.
His dark eyes scan the room.
Searching.
And the second he finds me—everything else disappears.
His entire face changes.
Softens.
Like seeing me is his favorite part of the night.
The look hits me right in the chest.
Because nobody has ever looked at me like that.
Like I'm precious.
Like I'm home.
He starts walking toward me.
People move out of his way automatically.
I don't even think he notices.
Because he's looking only at me.
And I swear every step makes my heart beat faster.
He's gorgeous.
Sexy.
Confident.
Dangerous.
And somehow still sweet.
My body actually heats.
Because I know exactly what those hands feel like.
What his kisses feel like.
What his voice sounds like when he whispers Firecracker against my skin.
Good Lord.
By the time he reaches me, I can barely breathe.
“Kai—”
He doesn't stop.
His hands come up.
Big.
Warm.
Gentle.
One cups the side of my neck.
The other slides into my hair.
And then he bends down and kisses me.
Right there.
In front of everyone.
Not hurried.
Hot, possessive, and sexy as hell.
It feels good.
Pure affection.
The kind of kiss that says I missed you.
The kind that makes the room disappear.
It feels like love.
When he finally pulls back, his forehead rests against mine.
“Jesus, Firecracker.”
His voice is rough.
“You look so beautiful I forgot my own name.”
I laugh softly.
“Kai.”
“Yeah, Baby?”
“You realize everyone is watching us, right?”
He glances around.
Shrugs.
“Good.”
Then he kisses me again.
And somewhere behind us, I hear Sabrina squeal.
Followed immediately by Sister Agnes saying,
“See? I told Father Peter to reserve the church in June.”
Oh, dear Lord.