Epilogue
Flynn
Two years later …
Rupert was right. Rich people have very few true friends.
Juniper Carlisle is being laid to rest next to her beloved husband Zachary. It’s the first funeral I’ve attended. Like with everything else, I don’t know what I’m supposed to do as Henna and Zoya cling to each other.
A warm breeze.
Sun peeking through the canopy of trees.
The tent filled with Juni’s small circle.
I tune out her pastor’s final words while standing behind Zoya’s chair. Maybe a life without love is better. It’s like she and Henna are dying too. And there’s nothing I can do.
After five months of therapy and Zoya playing concerts, Juni went into remission, so we moved. But nothing lasts forever. We returned to L.A. two months ago when Juni’s cancer returned, having spread to her brain. Juni refused more treatment.
Henna and Zoya couldn’t sway her. Not with begging. Not with the promise of playing concerts again.
I miss our little rental house in Petoskey, Michigan. My job at the auto repair shop (minus the hound dog). And our simple life.
But my virtuoso girlfriend has been unsettled over the past six months. Jumping from job to job, yet claiming she loved each one. But I’ve seen the look in her eyes when she truly loves something, and working at a pet store isn’t that kind of love. Zoya needs music.
Bodhi rests his hand on my shoulder when the pastor finishes speaking. “Let’s give them a few minutes.”
Henna and Zoya kneel next to the casket as everyone else exits the tent. I look at him and his eyes are red. It’s the first time I’ve seen him cry.
“Yeah,” I murmur with a nod.
As he turns, Bodhi leans down, resting one hand on Henna’s back and one on Zoya’s. He says something to them, but I can’t hear it. So I continue out the tent. My gaze snags on two familiar faces.
“What are you doing here?” I ask, knowing it’s a stupid question the second it leaves my mouth.
Rupert and Callie walk toward me, stepping past another headstone.
“We thought maybe you saw us at the funeral,” Rupert says, holding out his hand.
When I take it, he pulls me in for a hug.
“I might have looked at you, but I’m not seeing straight today,” I say as he releases me.
“That’s understandable,” Callie says, hugging me. “Sorry for your loss.”
“Thanks.” I step back, sliding my hands into my suit pockets, the same suit they bought me. “It’s really kind of you to travel all this way.”
“Well,” Rupert says. “We couldn’t talk you and Zoya into coming back to Minneapolis to visit us, so this felt like a good reason to visit. Although Michigan is closer.”
I frown. “Yeah. I don’t think we’re going anywhere anytime soon. She’s restless. I think she needs to play again. I think the world deserves her music.”
“Well, I’m sure this is a big change in her family’s life. Give it time,” Callie says, tucking her hair behind her ear. “Let her decide when she’s ready.”
“Yeah. You’re probably right.” I reach into my pocket.
“Also, a couple weeks ago, Juni gave me this ring and told me to give it to Zoya when the time comes.” I hold up the ring with the big yellow stone.
“We got interrupted before I could clarify the actual time. But I wonder if today is the day. If she wanted her to have it before she died, I assume she would have given it to her herself. Right?”
Callie’s lips part, eyes wide. But Rupert shakes his head, pinching the bridge of his nose.
“What?” I ask.
“Put the ring back in your pocket,” Rupert says.
I slip it back into my pocket. “I should wait?”
“Are you going to marry her?” Rupert glances over my shoulder, and I follow his gaze to Zoya and Henna by Juni’s casket.
“I hope so,” I say.
“I think you should. And when you propose, give her that ring,” he says.
Callie bites her lips together.
You’ll know when the time is right. When you’re ready. That’s what Juni said. I’m an idiot.
“It’s not a diamond ring, so I didn’t think—”
“Flynn, I can assure you that’s a diamond. A canary diamond. I’d say a good eight to ten carats. And worth a lot of money. But more than that, it’s sentimental, so don’t lose it,” Callie says.
“I’m an idiot.”
Callie says no as Rupert says yes. Then she elbows him.
“I’d hold off,” Callie suggests. “I don’t think proposing while she’s grieving is the best time.”
I nod. “Right. Of course.”
“We miss you,” she says. “And we’ll be in L.A. for a week or two. We’re going to head north and check out a few wineries. We’d love to take you to dinner. And if Zoya’s feeling up to it, we’d love her to come too. But if she needs time, I understand.”
“Thanks. Uh …” Again, I glance back at her. Juni wants me to propose. And I was going to casually hand her the ring. “I’ll check with her.” Just as I say those words, she stands, pulling a white rose from the arrangement on the casket.
Then she looks around and spies us. Her smile is sad. But she gives it her best effort while making her way to us.
“Sweetheart, I’m so very sorry for your loss,” Callie says, hugging Zoya.
They hug for what feelings like an eternity, drawing a few tears from Callie.
“Thank you so much for coming,” Zoya says, releasing Callie to hug Rupert.
“Of course,” Rupert says.
The ring feels like a hundred-pound weight in my pocket as I hold my hand over it.
“I told Flynn we’ll be here for a while. If there’s anything we can do, please let us know.” Callie squeezes my arm.
“Thank you.” Zoya hands me a few unused tissues, and I slide them into my pocket for her as she puts her arm around my waist and holds the white rose to her chest.
Before we can say more, a couple I’ve never met pulls Zoya’s attention away, giving their condolences.
“We’ll check in with you later,” Rupert murmurs.
I give him a nod. “Thank you.”
Zoya, having well-practiced manners, introduces me to everyone who approaches her. Then we join Henna and Bodhi by the casket after most everyone else has left the cemetery. Two guys with the funeral home maneuver a lever and straps to lower the casket into the vault.
Henna sobs, falling into Bodhi’s arms.
I stand behind Zoya, holding her tightly.
She sniffles. “I need a new tissue.”
“Oh, here,” I say, digging the tissues out of my pocket.
Shit!
The ring comes out with them, and it falls to the ground.
“What’s …” She bends down at the same time I do.
I grab it and make a fist.
“Is that …” her brow tightens.
Only this level of fuckery would happen to me. Yes, it’s Juni’s ring. No, I didn’t steal it. Just focus on the casket. But I don’t say any of that. Instead, I avert my gaze as if a bird has caught my attention.
“Flynn.” Zoya peels open my hand.
Now she’s drawn the attention of her parents.
“We’ll talk about it later,” I mumble, closing my hand again and sliding the ring into my pocket.
Henna wipes her tears, and Bodhi squints. Did they see it?
“Why do you have my grandma’s ring?” Zoya asks.
I feel a sliver of redemption after Rupert and Callie made me feel stupid. Clearly, Zoya doesn’t know why I have it. So it’s not obvious to everyone. But now I wish it were because it looks like I stole it. But I’m not proposing over her grandmother’s grave. That’s not the story I want her sharing.
“I’ll meet you at the car,” I say before turning and heading down the hill.
“Don’t walk away. Why do you have her ring?”
I stop and drop my head. “Dammit,” I whisper.
“Sweetheart,” Henna says. “Juni gave it to him.”
I open my eyes. Juni told Henna?
“Why did she—” Zoya’s realization happens in real time.
“Are you proposing?” Zoya asks. “Look at me.” She sounds a little angry.
I rub my hands over my face before dropping them to my sides and I turn. Shoulders slumped on a long sigh.
“We’ve been together for two years, and you chose today to do this?” She wipes her nose.
Henna and Bodhi are no help. They don’t look mad, but they’re not exactly jumping in to help me anymore.
I slowly walk back up the hill. “First. I’m sorry. So sorry. You’re grieving, and I’m a distraction.” My gaze points to Henna. I feel like I owe her the biggest apology.
Sorry for messing up the burial.
Sorry for getting your daughter worked up.
Sorry for being an idiot.
“Yes, Juni gave me her ring to give you. I just, uh …” I scratch my jaw.
“I was a little confused. I didn’t know diamonds came in yellow.
And well, I thought when she asked me to give it to you, when the time was right, I thought she just wanted you to have it.
After she died. Like …” I feel my face cringing.
“Like I was supposed to just give it to you. To have. Not like give it to you for, uh …”
Henna cups a hand over her mouth, tears still shining in her red eyes. But she snorts. Bodhi rests his hand on his hip and bows his head. I feel every ounce of his disappointment or secondhand embarrassment.
Zoya blinks. Nothing but an unreadable expression.
“So I stuck it in my pocket, thinking it might make you feel better, like having a piece of her with you after the funeral. Then I showed it to Rupert and Callie, and …” I shrug, leaving my shoulders at my ears a little longer than necessary.
“So … you’re not proposing?” Zoya asks, blotting her eyes.
I look at her parents.
Nothing.
Not the hint of a nod or headshake.
They shift their gazes to Zoya.
“Not really,” I say cautiously.
She turns back toward the grave. Henna does too. But Bodhi gives me a little headshake. What does that mean? Where was that when I needed guidance a few seconds ago. What does that mean?
Don’t propose now?
Ever?
Don’t worry about her reaction?
Don’t take another step up the hill?
I wait.
After a few more minutes, Zoya and her parents walk toward me.
“Just give me the ring before you lose it,” she grumbles holding out her hand.
“Give it to you? Propose?”
“Zoya, let’s go home,” Henna says.
Zoya snaps her fingers twice and holds out her flat hand. When I don’t move, she brushes past me toward the car. Henna follows her, reaching for her arm, but Zoya pulls away.
I look at Bodhi.
“Just go big,” he says loosening his black tie.
Big …
“Really, Juju?” I call, heading down the hill.
She and Henna turn, just as they reach the black SUV.
“At a cemetery? This is where you want me to propose?” I hold out my arms and turn in a slow circle. “I’m not as smart as you, but I suppose there’s something symbolic about it. The end of an era. The beginning of a new one?”
Henna steps away from the vehicle, as if she and Bodhi can fade into the distance, like hiding behind a curtain while their daughter takes center stage.
“I would have married you the day we met. That’s exactly how long it took for me to know that I would never look at another woman the way I looked at you—the way you looked at me.”
She looks away for a beat, wiping her tears.
“Love at first sight.” I laugh. “That’s bullshit, right?
” I step closer, until there are maybe ten left to take.
“Yet here we are two years later, and there isn’t a day that passes where I don’t replay that moment in the gallery.
You looked at me, and I looked away. Then I looked at you, and you looked away.
But when our gazes locked, you stripped me down in a single breath.
Looking at you felt like really seeing myself for the first time.
Feeling my heart beat for the first time. That moment was so big.”
She laughs, but it comes out as a sob.
I pull the ring from my pocket. “So yeah, you can have your grandma’s ring. And it doesn’t have to mean anything.” I walk the last ten steps between us and take her hand, sliding the ring onto her finger. “But I hope it can mean everything.”
She stares at the ring, tears spilling down her face. Then she sniffles. “Ask me,” she whispers.
“Will you—”
“Yes.” She throws her arms around my neck, lips pressed to mine.
This will forever be so big.