Epilogue
Riggs
A month later.
If you asked the Montgomerys to help you begin a small country as the next steppingstone towards world domination, I was pretty sure all you needed to offer was beer and cheese and maybe a friendly game of poker, and they would get it done in less than a month.
The bar was mine. Riggs’ was all mine. I had been self-centered enough to name it after myself because my grandmother had always liked my name, but Neil wouldn’t have an inch of it.
I wasn’t sure what would happen to Neil legally. They had all the evidence that he had taken out a hit on my bar, and they had the man who had done it, who had entered into a plea deal in exchange for information about Neil.
I wasn’t sure what would happen. I just knew that I had nothing to do with it. The bar was mine, and my ex-husband was so out of my life, he was barely even a memory. Tonight was time for a party.
The out-of-town Montgomerys had all headed home, taking their brood and all their help with them.
The Fort Collins Montgomerys, however, were here for me.
The bar would reopen full-time again tomorrow as a lot of the community had come to help and ensure that I wouldn’t have to close the doors forever.
As soon as I was legally able to start serving drinks and food again, I had reopened, even when not all of the repairs were complete. The regulars had come in droves in a show of support, and I knew that while the bubble wouldn’t last, I still felt like people loved being there.
That they liked me.
I couldn’t believe it.
I looked over at the Montgomerys as they partied and danced, though Jacob and Annabelle weren’t here since they were home with newborn twins. Paige wasn’t here either, but I wasn’t going to ask why. Archer was here, dancing with Eliza and Brenna, and the others milled about, having a good time.
I only had eyes for Clay.
“The kids okay with the sitter?”
Clay grinned at me. “Yeah. They miss their Riggs, though. I swear you’ve become number one in their life. Seems I was easy to walk over.”
I rolled my eyes and leaned forward, kissing him softly on the mouth. Archer cheered, and I ignored him. “Your kids are pretty amazing.”
“Jackson’s back to calling me Clay, but it’s kind of nice that he called me Dad that once.”
“He might do it again. Just let it happen.”
“I know.” He swallowed hard and met my gaze. “I love you so much, Riggs. I didn’t expect you.”
“I’m the best unexpected.” I winked, loving how I made him laugh. “And I love you, too. Now, come dance with me.”
“You know, the last time we danced, it led to something more.”
“Why do you think I’m asking you?” I asked, waggling my brows.
Clay threw back his head and laughed, looking sexy as fuck.
I pulled him into my arms as we danced. It was just a small party to get ready for the grand reopening tomorrow, but all I could do was focus on the man in my arms, the one I hadn’t planned on.
“We’re taking the kids out for an early dinner tomorrow, right?” I asked, knowing that I would be busy beyond all measure in the next few weeks, but I didn’t want to miss out on any of the kids’ milestones or time with Clay.
“You’ve got it. You sure they’re okay coming in here?”
“For lunch or an early dinner? The kids are welcome. It’s at night when things get rowdy that they’re not.”
“I don’t know if you’re trying to have a euphemism there or not,” Clay added dryly before I kissed him.
I couldn’t focus on anything else, just the man in my arms. I had been crushing on him hard for what felt like forever, remembering the boys we used to be when we had thought we could have something more.
And when life and our decisions took that from us, I hadn’t thought I would get a second chance.
But here I was, with that second chance and the man I loved.
We were going to take things as slow as we possibly could, mostly so we didn’t scare the kids. It was one thing having me over every once in a while. It was quite another to have me moving in or putting a ring on that finger.
I would, though. This man would be my husband, and I would have to figure out exactly how to help Clay raise those three pretty fantastic kids. That time would come.
For now, it was just us and nothing else.
“I’ve decided to get the Montgomery tattoo,” Clay muttered.
I gazed into his eyes, grinning. “Really?”
“It was Paige’s idea. And while I’ve always wanted one, I also wanted to make her smile.”
I rolled my eyes. “You’re getting a tattoo to make a woman smile?”
“What? They keep telling me I’ve been adopted into the family. And I’ve been part of the Montgomerys for nearly my entire life now. I guess it’s time I make it official.”
I shook my head, though not surprised. “Where are you going to put it?”
“I was thinking somewhere in the ink on my shoulder.”
I nodded, thinking about the intricate piece he’d had done before he moved here. I enjoyed licking every inch of it. “I’ll help you baby it to healing. Don’t worry. I’ve got you.”
“That sounds like a plan.”
“I guess if you’re a Montgomery, that means I’m dating into the family. That’s a little scary.”
“Be scared. It’s sort of what they do.” He kissed me hard, and I danced with him, joining the others as a faster song came on. I leaned into the love of my life, standing in the bar that was a culmination of so many of my dreams, and just grinned.
I hadn’t expected any of this, and yet, it was what I needed.
My friends, my family, and my future.
I didn’t need anything else. Finally.