Epilogue
SACHI
Record snowfall shut down the city for three full days. New York hadn’t seen a storm like that in fifty years. While that meant I got to spend Christmas Day with Dean, it also meant I didn’t get to see my friends, so we decided to all get together on New Year’s Day. Today.
It’ll be the first time Dean has been around the guys since the showdown at Amelie’s place.
On top of that, Dani’s Mom and Gran are coming, too.
It’s brunch with the full crew, and I have no idea how it’ll all unfold.
I told Dean he didn’t have to come. He worked New Year’s Eve, so I know he’s going to be exhausted, but he insisted.
To use his words, what good does it do to make the city safer if it means abandoning the people who mean the most to me?
Sending me to brunch on my own isn’t exactly abandonment, but I appreciate his desire to be with me at a time that’s important to me. Even if it’s for something as seemingly simple as brunch.
My heart works double-time as I walk in the chilly morning air toward the restaurant where we’re all meeting. Mounds of white snow can still be seen in places, but mostly, it’s turned into a sludgy brown mess. It was pretty while it lasted.
I’m the first to arrive at the quaint little bistro Amelie suggested. Early isn’t usually my thing, but I was too excited to wait at home. I have to wonder if Dean feels the same when he’s next to arrive with a coffee in hand.
“Hey, baby. How’re you feeling?” I lift onto my toes to meet him in a kiss, his adoring gaze burning off the rest of the morning chill.
“All good, though I’m not sure why I feel like I’m meeting your father for the first time.”
I laugh. “Glad I’m not the only one. It’s strange since it’s not like you don’t already know these guys.”
“Yeah, but I never cared what they thought before.”
“You do now?”
“Of course. They mean a lot to you. That means they’re important to me.” He leans in and gives me another quick kiss while I melt into a gooey puddle on the floor.
“You get any sweeter, and I’m gonna get a toothache,” I tease.
“No more man-dy cane for you, then,” he teases back with a smug grin.
My jaw hits the floor. “How did you know?” I’m certain I never told him about our little term of endearment for him.
“Overheard you on the phone.” He brings his lips close to my ear and murmurs, “Don’t worry. I would never deny you your sweet tooth. This candy shop is always open for you.” He accentuates his point with a snap of his teeth, sending me into a fit of giggles.
At the same time, Tommy and Dani, along with her mom and gran, walk through the doors. I give them all big hugs and introduce them to Dean. During the process, Sante and Amelie join the party. Dean shakes hands with Sante. Tommy gives him a lift of the chin. So far, so good.
Once we’re shown to our table, Dean and I sit across from Sante and Amelie while Tommy and Dani sit across from her family.
We don’t even have time to pick up our menus when a loud bang ricochets through the restaurant.
Us girls flinch while all the guys look ready for war.
The instinctive reflexes relax when we realize the noise was a car backfiring, though Gran must not have gotten the memo.
“It wasn’t me,” Gran quickly announces. “I made sure not to bring my gun this time.”
Dean mutters beside me, “I did not just hear that.”
Dani shushes her grandmother. “Dean is a cop, Gran. You can’t go saying stuff like that.”
“It was a joke, right?” Dean asks, eyes cutting from Amelie to Sante. “She doesn’t really carry.”
“She’s not afraid to use it, either,” Sante confirms with a chuckle.
Tommy just shakes his head in exasperation.
Dean leans back in his chair with a sigh. “I knew I might hear shit if I was around you guys more. Didn’t expect it to be about grannies gone wild.”
The guys both laugh, cutting away any residual tension from the room.
“You must see all kinds of crazy shit working on the force,” Sante notes.
“Let’s just say I won’t have any trouble coming up with topics if I ever decide to write a memoir.”
“Come on, you gotta give us more than that,” Sante pushes. “What’s something off-the-wall nuts you’ve had to deal with?”
Dean narrows his eyes as though thinking back. “Last night, some drunk asshole froze his dick to a metal streetlight.”
The entire table erupts in groans and laughter.
Dean chuckles. “Yup. He tried to take a leak and got tired. Thought he’d rest for a minute with his head on his arm against the pole, too drunk to realize he’d let his dick touch the pole, too. I had to pour water from a Solo cup on the damn thing to get it unstuck.”
More groans.
“You still gotta do that shit even now that you’re a detective?” Tommy asks.
“Everyone works New Year’s Eve. Everyone.”
The guys grimace, then launch into a story about some guy they know who caught his own hair on fire with New Year’s fireworks. From there, the conversation flows with ease throughout the rest of brunch. As soon as the plates are cleared, Dean sets his napkin on the table and scoots his chair out.
“I hope you all don’t mind if we go ahead and cut out. I’m pretty damn tired.”
“Hell, I’m tired for you,” Sante says before standing and extending his hand for Dean to shake. The rest of the group shares the sentiment, initiating a round of goodbyes before we slip away.
“I can go back to my place and let you sleep,” I offer once we’re out on the sidewalk.
Dean drapes his arm around my shoulders, and we start walking. “No way. You’re coming to my place. If I need to nap, I can do it with you there. Besides, I have something for you.”
“Yeah?” If I smile any bigger, my cheeks will crack.
“Yup. Been waitin’ all night to give it to you.” He’s not lying. His pace is lively despite his exhaustion. His excitement has me racking my brain over what the gift could be. I adore a good surprise.
When we get back to his place, there’s a shoelace on the entry floor. It’s strange because Dean is relatively tidy. He doesn’t even leave his shoes in the entry, let alone a single lace. I pick it up just as a flash of white shoots across the living room floor.
“Dean? Was that a—”
“Kitten?” He takes the shoelace from my hand and dangles it over the floor, letting the plastic end clack against the wood. Within seconds, the fluffiest, most adorable ball of white fur comes bounding into the entry, going head over tail in a fumbled pounce.
“Oh my God,” I breathe, dropping to sit cross-legged on the floor. “Is this for me?” While I have a mini emotional breakdown, the kitten climbs into my lap, then leaps back out.
Tears fill my eyes.
“You said you always wanted a pet,” Dean answers softly, joining me on the floor.
I think back and realize I did mention it back at the charity dinner. He remembered.
“But we’ve only known each other a couple of weeks.” I’m so stunned that I can’t help but question how this is possible. How could I end up with a man who wants nothing more than to make me happy, regardless of rules and social norms?
“And?” he asks, as if proving my point. He takes the tiny fluff ball in his giant hand and holds it out to me. “It’s a girl. She’s only eight weeks old, but she does well going in a litter box.”
“Of course, she does.” I take her and cuddle her to my chest. “My sweet princess is perfect. Aren’t you, precious?” I smother her in kisses, and she starts to purr.
When I look back at Dean, tears are pooled in my eyes. “You tryin’ to make me fall for you, Dean Malone? Because I think it’s working.”
He hooks his hand around the back of my neck and pulls my lips to his for a kiss.
“Good. I don’t want to fall alone.”
We kiss again until the kitten gets bored and squirms free. I pull back to watch her bound away.
“What are we going to call her?”
“Your cat, your choice.”
“Hmm … she’s very white.”
“Cool Whip?” His playful suggestion has me laughing out loud.
“Good one, but not sure it’s quite right.”
“You can’t do Snowball or something common like that.”
“Obviously. It could be something Christmassy, since that’s the season,” I muse, watching as the kitten bats at a red ball Dean must have gotten her.
The sight gives me an idea. “What about Cindy Lou Who?” I asked excitedly.
“She looks just like her with those big blue eyes when Cindy Lou holds the big red ornament that fell off her tree.”
“I think it’s perfect.” Dean flashes a crooked smile. “Welcome home, Lou Lou.”
His nickname has me grinning ear to ear. “Will she be staying here or at my place?”
“Either. Both. Whatever you want.”
I consider the options. “She’d have more room here, but I’ll miss her if she’s not with me.”
“Hmm, it’s a tricky situation. Might mean you have to move in here.”
“Dean!” I gape at him. “Were you planning to suggest that all along?”
He shrugs, mischief glinting in his azure eyes. “I would never.”
I shove his chest playfully. He grabs my wrists and pulls me on top of him as he rolls back to lie on the wood floors, laughter filling his chest.
“Happy New Year, baby.” His adoring gaze sweeps reverently across my face. “Hope it’s the best year ever.”
I beam down at him, bringing my lips a breath away from his. “With you in my life, I don’t know how it couldn’t be.” Then I kiss him with every ounce of love pouring from my soul.
This is a wonderful life.
Thank you so much for reading Mistletoe Masquerade!