Epilogue
EPILOGUE
TWO WEEKS LATER
Heather
“I’ll have refreshments ready right away,” I announced, just as I filled the last glass with lemonade.
Tess, Skye, Cole, Hunter, and Josie were here, helping me move.
Josie’s siblings, Ian, Dylan, and Isabelle were also here.
They’d come in to see their sister and attended the Ballroom Gala on Friday.
When they got wind of the fact that I was moving today, they offered to give up their Sunday to help too, so we made a party out of it.
The three of them were arriving in a different Uber with the last few boxes, but everyone else was sitting in the living room, exhausted though still chatty as usual. Amelia had taken Avery out for ice cream, something my little girl couldn’t refuse.
I put the tray with glasses on the coffee table in front of the couch before sitting next to Ryker.
Or well… on Ryker too, at least with one butt cheek.
But hey, I had a great excuse, as we all sat close together on the couch.
Ryker’s playful gaze clued me in that he was on to me, but I wasn’t going to make any apologies for my behavior.
Not that he seemed to mind. In fact, he was taking advantage of the crammed sitting situation too, touching me a lot.
“This was a very productive day,” Tess exclaimed.
“I never thought we’d get everything done so quickly.
Thank you so much for helping. How can I make it up to all of you?
” I beamed, looking around. I loved this loft so much.
It was just so bright. No matter where you were in the room, you had plenty of light and an amazing view.
I couldn’t believe my life had changed so much since March.
It was mid-June now, but I felt as if a lifetime had passed since I met Ryker.
“Don’t mention it,” Cole said. “On second thought… I’m going to cash in on that later. Never know when I’m going to need an ally.”
“Against whom?” I asked. I was slowly starting to understand what Ryker meant with getting as many members on your side as possible being a survival strategy in the group.
“Don’t know yet, hence why I’m cashing in later.”
I raised my glass of orange juice in a mock toast. “Got it.”
“Tess and I are less demanding than our little brother,” Skye said. “We just want more of this amazing lemonade.”
“Perfect.”
“A word of warning,” Ryker said. “Don’t say yes so quickly every time… it’s a surefire way to get into trouble with this group.”
That hand on my lower back slid even lower .
“I think I can handle this lot.” I looked him straight in the eye, trying to convey that I could handle him too, only I couldn’t, really.
All it took was for him to be this close, and I was already done for.
I was pretty sure it was written all over my face, because Ryker smiled brilliantly.
I loved being surrounded by this group. Watching Skye and Tess work so tirelessly for their store had rubbed off on me.
Between that and Ryker’s encouragements, I’d started working on that book I’d always wanted to write.
I could tinker with it whenever I had some time in between assignments.
My Pearman article had been published at the start of the week, and let’s just say, it hit the mark.
“We need to go back to the store,” Skye said, yawning. “Our sales assistant’s shift ends in one hour.”
I shifted in my spot, looking at her and Tess.
This was the right moment for me to put the plan in motion.
We’d started brainstorming ways to help Skye and Tess while they were going through this rough period.
They were no longer looking for an investor, because they’d decided to postpone their expansion projects.
But they had their hands full trying to put out the fires that had escalated because their last investor pulled out at the last minute.
“I’ve had an idea,” I said. “Since I’m now living a stone’s throw away from your store… I could help out sometimes. Say, Saturday afternoons? Your mom said she’d love to spend that time with Avery.”
Tess tilted her head, assessing me. “And let me guess, since you and Ryker are inseparable, he’ll join you too?”
Damn, they caught on fast. Ryker had warned me they would, but I’d thought that if I was the one who voiced the idea, we stood a better chance.
“Why not?” I said. “It’s something fun for us to do, a change from our regular jobs.”
Skye tapped her chin. “I’m trying to picture Ryker in the store. He’ll scare the clientele away.”
I held up a finger. “Already thought of that. He’ll be in the back office most of the time, doing whatever you girls don’t get to do during the week. Something you can delegate, obviously.”
“Well, Tess… this is the chance we’ve waited for—we can boss him around again like when we were kids,” Skye said.
Ryker’s eyes bulged. “Talk about an unexpected angle.”
Tess focused on Hunter, Josie, and Cole, who’d been silent during this whole exchange.
“And let me guess… the three of you would alternate on Sundays?” Tess asked.
Damn! This was scarily accurate. How was this even possible?
Cole shook his head. “Told you they’d catch on to the plan, Heather.”
Eh… it was more a conspiracy than a plan, but I was getting the hang of this conspiring thing and absolutely loved it.
Hunter cleared his throat. “This might be a good time to mention that Amelia’s in on this too.”
Skye elbowed her sister. “If everyone’s telling us the same thing, it’s a sign, sis.”
“That’s what I always say,” Josie piped up. “If more people tell you the same thing… it’s time to listen.”
Tess shook her head, but she was smiling. Finally, she threw her hands up. “Okay, let’s do this. Thank you. But we’ll alternate weekends. I’m not negotiating that.”
I clapped my hands once. “That’s a great start.”
“When did you get so good at this?” Tess asked me.
“I learned the art of charming from a certain someone.” I nudged Ryker’s arm with mine playfully.
“You should have seen him winning my mom over. I mean… I didn’t actually see it happen, only the end result.
Very impressive.” Feeling feisty, I turned to Cole.
“Careful, or Ryker might steal away your thunder as the Charmer .”
“Charming is a basic skill. Flirting is the extra,” Ryker said in such a serious tone, you’d think he was explaining a scientific discovery.
Cole smirked. “Keep telling yourself that, bro. If it makes you feel better.”
I felt compelled to take Ryker’s side.
“Well, I didn’t think Mom could be charmed that fast, so he’s definitely a pro.”
Cole groaned. “I see this ally thing won’t work when it comes to Ryker.”
Before I had a chance to answer, Ryker said, “Of course not.” Then he brought a hand to my neck, possibly intending to push my hair to one side, but he touched a ticklish spot.
I covered my mouth with one hand, but my half laugh, half shriek still echoed in the living room.
Everyone burst out laughing. Just then, Dylan, Ian, and Isabelle arrived, placing the small boxes they’d brought by the entrance door.
“By the way, have the raffle tickets been counted?” Ian asked. “Just saying, but I think I raked in the most.”
Dylan smirked. “No, you didn’t.”
“What would your lovely girlfriend say about your evening?” Ian asked.
Dylan’s girlfriend hadn’t been able to attend.
“I was dancing, not flirting. She’s proud that I was by far the most popular.”
Isabelle rolled her eyes. “Stop being so full of yourselves. Cole was by far more popular.”
Cole looked very pleased that Isabelle was taking his side. As did Ryker, happy that someone was giving Cole a run for his money.
“Even if you did rake in the most tickets, it’s beginner’s luck,” Cole said. Ah, someone loved to have the last word. However, I loved that they brought up last night. Tess and I exchanged a glance.
Yeah, I was on a double mission today. I’d teamed up with Tess this time. Our goal? Check if Skye was out of the funk she’d been in since her breakup.
“Skye, I’m surprised you’re not tired from dancing,” I said.
“Nah, I had a great partner.”
“Yeah, he did seem to know what he was doing,” Tess said. “You seemed to be having fun with him.”
“He asked for my number, but I politely declined,” she said.
Well, crap. So she was still in a funk. Tess and I had to up our game and cheer her up.
We chatted for a few more minutes, but then Tess and Skye had to leave for the store or they’d be late. They promised to make a list of tasks they could delegate as soon as possible.
Hunter, Josie, and her siblings left with Tess and Skye. Cole stayed for a while longer, helping us move some boxes we’d left askew at the front door.
“Thank God, Skye was on our side on the store issue,” I said afterward, as Cole was preparing to leave. He winked, throwing his jacket over one shoulder. Ryker opened the door for him.
“I might have softened her up a bit before,” Cole said.
“Oh, wow,” I exclaimed.
“What did I tell you about getting others on your team before making the actual move?” Ryker asked.
Ohhh… now I understood what he’d meant. Seemed I still had a lot to learn in the fine art of conspiring.
“Well, I take back what I said about Ryker stealing your thunder. You definitely deserve your nickname, Cole.”
Ryker cocked a brow.
“What? It’s harder to win Skye over than my mom,” I reasoned. Cole laughed, giving me a thumbs-up before leaving.
As soon as Ryker closed the door, the air between us charged.
“So!” he said.
“So,” I replied, grinning. A smile played on his lips. His eyes glinted.
“You’re gonna give me shit about what I just said?”
“I have a better idea, now that we’re finally alone.”
“Oh, okay.”