Chapter 24
Allegra
Levi: Are you on your way?
Dex: Hey, A! The lawyer just got here. You still coming?
Mom: Allegra, is everything okay? I thought you’d be here by now…
I sputter when I read the messages. Derek glances at my phone over my shoulder as he ties the back of my dress. He laughs and kisses the back of my neck. “Don’t worry, baby. I’ll drive fast.”
“Great,” I deadpan at his terrible solution.
He chuckles and heads for the stairs. I take a moment to glance around the master bedroom. I can’t believe Derek bought us—me—a house. I can’t believe we’re really taking the next step together.
If someone told me a year ago that I’d be moving in with Derek Reiner, as his significant other, I’d tell them they were spinning tall tales. But here we are, making my dreams a reality.
I shake my head. It almost feels too good to be true.
“Stellina!” Derek calls.
“I’m coming!” I holler back, bounding down the steps.
“We can come back later and stay as long as you want,” he says, plucking the key from my purse and locking the front door.
I grin. “You have no idea how many interior design conversations are in your future.”
He laughs, his eyes meeting mine. “If I told you I’m happy to have them, would you believe me?”
I stare into the dark depths of his eyes and see the love shimmering there. “Yes,” I say simply as my phone rings.
“You gonna get that?” he asks as we walk toward his car.
I nod and swipe to accept the call. “Hello?”
“Allegra, hey!” a warm, female voice says.
“Hi,” I say slowly, wracking my brain to place the familiar tone.
She laughs. “It’s Vivi!”
I grin. “Vivi! Hi! I was trying to place your voice.”
“Yeah, I’m calling from the LA office.”
My heart rate picks up. “You’re in town? For how long?”
“Just until Monday. But I wanted to chat with you while I’m here. Tom and Jay, who interviewed you a few weeks ago, were super impressed.”
My heart thuds and I falter. “Thank you.”
Derek glances at me and I shake my head as my nerves ping erratically.
“Unfortunately, the position you interviewed for has already been filled.”
“Oh,” I manage as disappointment settles in my stomach.
“You were overqualified for it,” Vivi continues.
“Sorry?” I ask. It was an entry-level position…
“Allegra,” Vivi says. “I’m calling to offer you the position of regional manager.”
“What?” I gasp.
Vivi chuckles. “You would be overseeing the position you originally applied for, as well as another program we’re starting up.
The position would entail more management and leadership qualities, which I, as well as Tom and Jay, agree you possess.
I saw you dive in and do the work last summer and also spoke to your current manager about the work you’ve done this year in LA.
Although you wouldn’t be working in the field much since this role requires you to work from our head office in LA, I think you’re a great fit for the position.
” She continues to explain the job description as I hold my breath.
Derek opens the car door for me, and I slip inside.
When he pulls away from the curb, he places a hand on my thigh in a show of solidarity. I relax under his touch.
“I know this is a lot to process and it isn’t what you originally applied for—”
“It’s better!” I cut Vivi off.
She laughs. “Are you interested?”
“Yes! A thousand times, yes. Thank you, Vivi. Thank you for thinking of me.”
“You earned this, Allegra. You’re passionate and committed and driven. I’m really sorry, by the way, about what happened. How are you doing? Feeling?” She lowers her voice.
I swipe a hand over my ribs absent-mindedly. I glance at Derek and grin. “I’m doing okay. Much better than last month.”
Derek rolls his eyes.
I chuckle. “Thank you for the flowers you and Claire sent.”
Vivi breathes out in relief. “I’m glad to hear it. I need to fly back to Boston on Monday night. I know it’s last minute but if you can pass by the office Monday morning, I can go over the contract with you. And we can have lunch,” she tacks on.
“I’d love that. I’ll be there Monday morning. I can’t wait to see you.”
“Same!” Vivi squeals. “I’m so excited for this.”
“I’m beyond thrilled,” I tell her.
“See you Monday,” she says.
“Thanks, Vivi.” I disconnect the call.
“What’s going on?” Derek asks.
“You’re not going to believe this,” I say.
He pulls into the Beirut parking lot and puts the car in park. Giving me his full attention, he smirks. “Try me.”
I wave my phone at him. “I got a job offer!”
Genuine joy washes over his face. “The job? In LA?”
“Even better,” I gush.
His smile never slips. Doubt doesn’t fill his eyes. Nothing changes the pride that flares in the depths of his irises. “Tell me.”
“It’s a managerial position, overseeing those programs. In LA!” I exclaim.
“Fuck, baby,” Derek swears, reaching for me. He grips the back of my neck and pulls me in for a hard kiss, always cognizant of my lip. “I’m so proud of you,” he murmurs.
I giggle. “I’m so excited. And surprised. I, I feel giddy!” I laugh, half breathless with the excitement of the last hour.
Derek’s eyes bore into mine. Smooth like whiskey, deep like forever. “You earned this, Stellina. You deserve every good thing in this life. And in the next one.”
“I go in on Monday to sign. And see Vivi,” I add.
Derek grins. “Congratulations, love. The Harrison Foundation is lucky to have you.”
I squeal and toss my arms around him for another hug.
His hand palms the center of my back and I relax into him. This is one of the best days of my life and I want to savor it for an extra second.
“What, you get lost?” Levi hollers when we enter Beirut.
Nova cheeses hard. “Nah, my girl got some action!”
Beside me, Derek blushes. He straight up blushes.
Nova and I share a look and crack up as Levi swears.
“What are you all doing here?” I ask Nova and Ivy as I pull them into hugs.
“Kenny’s on her way,” Ivy says.
“I’m here!” Mckenna announces, barreling her way into our huddle.
“Derek asked us to come…” Ivy trails off, glancing at my boyfriend.
I spin in his arms and grin at him. “You planned this?”
“Yeah,” he admits sheepishly, ducking his head.
“But Mom really did speak to Dex’s lawyer. He’s been solid, helping her navigate things with Dad.” Levi glances at Dex, his expression thoughtful.
“Here you go!” Devy announces, setting a tray filled with tequila shots on the nearest table. She winks at me. “Dex says welcome home. Go wild, but not too wild.”
I lift a shot glass in Dex’s direction. Thank you, I mouth.
He lifts his chin in my direction and continues to pour my mom—my mom!—a glass of wine.
“Damn. Do you think your dad”—Nova points at Derek—“has a thing for your mom?” She gestures toward Levi.
“That could get awkward,” Ivy mutters.
Levi blanches while Derek laughs.
“You’re a fucking troublemaker,” Derek tells Nova.
She grins until her dimple appears. “It’s the best part of my personality.”
“Not true,” Mckenna chimes in. “You’re layered. Multidimensional.”
“Really?” Mav remarks, batting his eyelashes at her. “How would you describe me?”
Mckenna’s expression cools. “An egotistical pain in the ass.”
Mav chuckles. “You’re into me, babe. I knew it.”
“I can’t believe I stuck around for this,” Mckenna jokes, rolling her eyes and tossing back a shot. She draws cheers from me, Ivy, and Nova.
“You guys! I have news!” I announce.
Levi tosses an arm around my shoulder and grins. “More than moving in with this chump?” He hooks his thumb toward Derek.
“Hey, this chump put the house in my name,” I remind my brother.
He laughs and gestures for our mom and Dex to join us.
“What’s going on?” Mckenna asks, when our huddle is complete.
“Well…” I wrap my other arm around Derek’s waist. “Derek and I are moving in together.”
“Obviously,” Nova comments, twirling her finger to hurry me along.
I grin. “And I got a job offer from the Harrison Foundation!”
A collective cheer rings out.
Ivy pulls me into a hug. Levi thumps my back. Mav carefully picks me up and spins me in a circle.
“You did it!” he exclaims.
“This is real life!” I yell back.
The two of us laugh.
Jameson passes me a shot glass.
The group lifts our tequila, Levi and Dex hold cans of sparkling water, and we clink them together.
“Congratulations!” Mom exclaims, wrapping me in a hug.
I hug her back.
“I’m so proud of you,” she whispers. “You did all the things a part of me always dreamed you would.”
The vulnerability in her tone, the awe mixed with hope, brings tears to my eyes and I blink rapidly. “I’m glad you’re here.”
“Me too,” she says, pulling back. Her smile is warm even as her eyes tear. “I’m so happy to witness your happiness. Your success. I missed so much, but I got to see this.”
I squeeze her hand. “Are you staying for a while?”
Her eyes dart to Dex for a second before meeting mine. “Dex’s lawyer is helping me sort things out, but yes, I’m going to stay as long as I can.”
“Thank you, Mom.” I press a quick kiss to her cheek.
“Thank you, Allegra,” she whispers back.
Dex steps beside her and touches the center of her back with one hand while passing her her wine glass with the other. “Do you like the Pinot Grigio?”
“Pardon?” Mom asks, her eyebrows knitting together. She isn’t much of a wine drinker.
Dex grins. Those whiskey eyes flash.
Levi groans and Derek snickers.
“I’ll pour you a Riesling next. Seems we’ve got a lot to celebrate,” Dex comments. He grins at my mom, all confidence and charisma.
“The Rousells are back,” I agree. “Reunited.”
“So are the Maddens,” Derek says, dropping his father’s name like he just claimed it.
At the emotion that crosses Dex’s face, he realizes it too.
“Can we get another round of shots, Devy?” Derek calls out.
“Coming right up!” Devy promises.
Nova’s eyes glimmer excitedly as she takes in the dynamics unfolding around us.
“This is intense,” Ivy murmurs, her eyes darting between my mom, Dex, Derek, and me.
I laugh and nod, but I can’t stop smiling. This moment, this day, is too bright. Overflowing with so many feels I want to hold on to and keep forever.
“Here ya go,” Devy says, dropping off another round.
Dex passes one to Mom who looks truly scandalized.
Levi groans and I shoot him a look, wondering how he’s holding up in this party environment. “You doing okay?”
His expression softens and he dips his head. Shaking his sparkling water can, he winks. “Never better, A.”
“To all of you,” Mom says, raising her shot in a formal toast. “May your futures be as bright as your smiles are today!”
“To the next chapter,” Dex echoes.
“To the rest of our damn lives,” Nova calls out.
“To the future,” Ivy corrects.
“To our friendship,” Mckenna says.
“To us,” I add. “All of us.”
I down the tequila shot and turn toward Derek. His hand is waiting, already holding a lime dipped in salt. I grin and bite into it, recalling that night from summer when we had the same exchange.
Then, the air between us tightened with tension. Anticipation.
Now, it vibrates with want. With love. With trust.
“Thank you,” I murmur.
Derek swoops down and captures my lips with his. He licks the tequila and lime from my bottom lip and smacks his together. “Thank you, beauty.”
“So, this is it,” Ivy says, glancing around Beirut. “You’re staying here, in LA, for your dream career with your dream guy.”
I look up at Derek and grin. “Yeah, I guess I am.”
“I want to see your house stat,” Nova interjects. “And if you need help decorating…” She lifts her eyebrows.
“Or a roommate.” Mav raises his hand.
Jameson scoffs.
I bite my bottom lip. “We do need to throw a housewarming party.”
Beside me, Derek straightens.
“What?” I ask.
He shakes his head. “Nothing.” He pulls out his phone.
“We’ll have a BBQ, a fun summer bash, at our place, before you leave, Kenny. When are you heading to Boston?”
“August 22,” she replies.
“Give me a date, Stellina,” Derek says.
I frown.
“August 17,” Nova supplies helpfully.
“Done.” Derek slips his phone in his pocket.
“What’s going on?” I ask.
Derek grins. “Dre said he’d come out when I have a housewarming.”
I laugh. “And?”
His phone beeps. He pulls it out to glance at it. I love witnessing the grin that cuts his face. “He’ll be here.”
Levi wraps an arm around my shoulders. “We’ll all be there. After all, we’re family.”
I glance around the little group of faces I love best. “Yeah,” I agree. “We are.”
The Clovers start talking about a band they know in Boston. Ivy and Nova pull me out to a makeshift dance floor. The lights dim, Beirut pulses to life around us, and I lose myself in the moment.
Surrounded by my best friends. With the love of my life. Joined by my mom and Levi and my found family, The Burnt Clovers, the girls, Dex.
I’m finally home.