Epilogue
NICOLE
“Tis so beautiful. I can’t stop staring at it.
” Teresa grabs my left hand again, and admires my ring for what must be the millionth time in the past two weeks, before sighing loudly.
“Do ye think it would be socially acceptable for me to have one of these and a hot footballer at my age?” She props her chin up on her hand and sighs dramatically.
“Like it would bother you if it wasn’t. You’ve never cared what others think about you, why would you start with now?” The waiter brings our drinks over to us and she picks hers up chuckling and taps it against my own.
“And why should she? People are arseholes. Who cares what they think? You do you, T.” Emilia winks at my friend, who smirks back, and I pray to god these two stay on my side through life because them working together could take down the entire world.
“You’re right. If I want a diamond, I’ll have a diamond. And a hottie to go with it. Is that Ramos single?” She grins over the rim of her glass and I giggle back.
“I can ask for you, girl.” Emilia takes a sip of her drink as Teresa chuckles into hers. I just shake my head at the pair of them and smile broadly when I spot a mess of red curls hurtling through the restaurant.
“Sorry I’m late, guys. Traffic was horrendous coming back from the airport. I’m blue.” Edie plonks herself down next to me and places her head on my shoulder as I stroke her beautiful red hair.
“The months are going to fly by and she’ll be back before you know it.” I try to reassure her as Teresa nods and Emilia motions for a cup of tea to be brought over.
“I know, but she’s been by my side forever. I hate that she’s having to leave me now.”
Edie sits up and I grab her hand and squeeze it on the table top. Angie has been offered a massive opportunity to work in America, and we’re all sad she’s not here, but I’m so excited for her to really be able to show her true potential in her new position.
“It’s a fantastic opportunity and Angie will thrive at it, Edie,” Emilia tells her, but instead of being comforted, she narrows her eyes at her and bares her teeth.
“I’m not talking to you. You stole my bestie. Maybe I’ll steal yours now.”
“I didn’t steal her. She told me about the job offer and I told her to grab it with both hands.
Her talents were wasted in that soul sucking office she was working in.
And the twatsicle she was working for didn’t leave her with much choice about where she worked next.
She deserves this opportunity. Now back off from my boo or I will throat punch you in front of everyone.
" She puts her elbows on the table and glares at Edie who holds her hands up in surrender.
“Looks like you’re my new bestie, Nicole.”
“Nu-uh I’m not being someone's third choice for bestie. I have standards you know. Get Jaxy to be your bestie.” I fold my arms on top of the table and feign an affronted look.
“Great. I have a friend in America living her best life surrounded by hunky Americans, one threatening to throat punch me, and another who doesn’t want to talk to me. You all suck.” She groans and places her hands over her face.
“Jeez, you’re worse than Lucky when he gets a tiny splinter and tells everyone it’s a whole branch. You’re forgiven. I’ll be your temporary bestie until someone better comes along, Edie.”
I start to laugh as she lifts her head, high-fives Teresa, who sits back smugly, telling her, “See, I told ye it would work.”
As the waiter comes over to take our order, I think back to a time when I was so lonely.
A single mom, working every hour I could to provide for my son, my neighbour my only friend, and now I’m surrounded by people who love me.
I can choose the hours I want to work that suit me and Lucky.
And I have a gorgeous man I can lean on and who can lean on me too.
I still have to pinch myself to believe this is my life.
And what a life to have.
“How was lunch?”
I stride into the living room and stand over him laying on the sofa, smiling when I take his form in. Grey sweats, no shirt, and glasses perched on his nose with a book on his chest. One arm rests behind his head and the other holds the book on his abs. I lean over and study the book cover.
“Hmmmm, hot man on the cover, football in his goalie clad hands. Written by Annie Dyer. Another of Jaxson’s suggestions?”
He grins back. “Yep. I’ve read the first two. This one’s about the goalie. Single dad. You should read it,” he tells me with a smug smile on his perfect lips.
“I already have. Wait until you get to the—”
“Lalalalalala, don’t spoil it.” He covers his ears and sings out for me to stop. Laughter flows from my mouth as he reaches up and wraps his arms around my waist and pulls me down on top of him. “Hi.” His face is inches away from mine.
“Hi.” I tell him back, breathless and in need of more than words from him. “Where’s Lucky?”
“Staying with Ben. We’re home alone.” He brushes the hair from my face and I close my eyes at his touch.
“We should really utilise our alone time, shouldn’t we?” I gulp some air into my lungs.
“Yeah, we should. I’ll grab the whiskey.”
“I’ll lock the back door,” I say as we both jump off the sofa and meet back at the bottom of the stairs.
“Are you ready?” he asks as I nod my head at him. “Good, get upstairs then.”
I turn and head up the stairs, but stop when I realise he isn’t following behind me.
“You not coming?” I ask over my shoulder.
“Not yet, but I will be soon.” He grins back. “Just admiring the view.” His eyes drop to my ass and I smirk back.
“Don’t take too long or I’ll have to start without you.” I take the rest of the steps quickly. His footsteps thunder behind me and I screech when he lifts me up and throws me over his shoulder.
“Don’t worry, you're in safe hands.”
“The safest,” I tell him, and with a chuckle he takes me into our bedroom and lays me on our bed. “I love you, Owen Lockheart. I wish I could tell you how much.”
“I love you, Nico soon-to-be Lockheart.” He stalks toward the bed.
“I’m so glad you were able to lean on me. Trust me. Show me how to forgive myself. What we have, Owen, it’s special. And I can’t wait to spend the rest of our lives together.”
The last thing I see are his blue eyes twinkling as he leans his head down. His lips hover over my mouth and he whispers, “My Whiskey Girl,” right before he kisses me and my mind thinks of nothing but Owen and our future as Mr. and Mrs Lockheart.
THE END