Epilogue
Molly
There is something so satisfying about the sound of poker chips hitting each other in the center of the table.
Especially on the felt of the table James built for the new poker room in Pat and Lindy’s barn.
I think there’s a shocking lack of ASMR videos featuring poker chips.
If I were interested in getting back on social media, maybe I’d start an account just for that.
“Molly?” From beside me, Winnie nudges my arm. “Your call.”
I glance at the faces around the table, narrowing my eyes as I try to get a read on them. After we established a monthly game, which consists of family and usually a few friends, I’ve gotten better at reading people.
Pat, Tank, and Big Mo are already out. Chevy has what I call his lazy happy look on his face, which means he has good cards he wants us to think are great cards.
James and Winnie are both almost impossible to read, so he’s a question mark.
But Winnie keeps running the corner of her cards under her fingernail, something she does only when she’s unsure about her hand.
Jacob, who’s in town to check on The Oven’s progress, is wearing sunglasses to hide his eyes like he thinks he’s on the World Series of Poker tour or something.
But one glance under the table tells me he’s tapping his foot again, which he only does when he’s bluffing about his hand.
Harper isn’t playing, but she’s sitting next to Chase, and based on her expression, my brother is going to fold if anyone raises.
And Collin—well, he’s the easiest to read. And the only one I’m worried about right now. Across the table from me, he grins.
My hand is amazing: a straight flush. Rare. Only beatable with a royal flush, and because the four diamonds out there include a seven, ten, Jack, and Ace, Collin could have it.
There are probably several people still holding on who have flushes. But only Collin looks completely at ease, like he knows he’s got a winning hand. That makes two of us.
I decide to take my chances. “All-in,” I say, pushing my stacks to the center.
I’m pretty impressed with my poker knowledge and prowess. Which has gone from zero to being able to consider all these possibilities. It hasn’t helped at all with my poker face though, apparently, because Chevy announces, “She’s not bluffing. I fold.”
“Me too,” Jacob says, pushing his two cards away with a sigh.
One by one, everyone left folds until we reach Collin. He doesn’t have as many chips as I bet, which usually means buying in again to get more chips or having a side pot.
Collin pulls out his wallet. “Let me see what I can do here.”
“You could fold,” I suggest with a cheerful smile. “Rather than buying in again. I’m going to beat you this time.”
I hope. I rarely get good hands, and it would stink to have a straight flush only to get beaten by my boyfriend.
“We’ll see about that.” Collin frowns as he opens his wallet. “Huh. Guess I’ve got all my cash already tied up.”
“Put in what you’ve got and stop stalling,” I tell him. “You’re not going to win.”
“I’ve got another idea,” Collin says. He sets down his wallet, gives me a narrow-eyed look like he’s trying to figure me out, then pulls something else from his pocket and tosses it onto the pile in the center.
Only, it doesn’t give the satisfying clink of chip hitting chip. And as the object rolls over the top of the pile and comes to rest on the felt in front of me, my eyes widen.
It’s not a chip. It’s a ring. Of the engagement kind.
“I’m all-in,” Collin says, getting up and walking around the table toward where I’m currently frozen in shock while my brain tries to compute.
This is not a drill. This is a proposal. This. Is. Not. A. Drill!
I’ve been ready for what seems like forever, even though it hasn’t been that long. A lot of couples date for years before getting engaged. But I’d have said yes even if Collin asked me as far back as Winnie and James’s wedding night. Which has made me feel outrageously impatient waiting months.
I know Collin, for his part, has been trying to give me space and time to feel like I’ve truly been able to feel free after being under my dad’s control. Which I appreciate.
But he vastly overestimated the time I needed. I’ve been about ready to flip the script and propose to him.
Collin reaches me and drags my chair back from the table, then gets down on both knees before me. “The bet’s to you. Like I said, I’m all-in. It’s your call, Molly-girl. Want to go all-in with me?”
Leave it to Collin to propose without actually saying the words marry me.
But I don’t need the exact words. I just need him.
I throw myself at him, almost toppling him over as I wrap my arms around him, whispering “Yes, yes, yes, yes!” in his ear. “I’m all-in too!”
Chairs scrape back as hugs and congratulations are passed around. I’m not sure I’ve ever smiled this hard. My cheeks hurt, and I can’t stop looking at Collin, who’s smiling just as big.
Chase gives me a tight hug, and a swell of emotion threatens to bowl me over. “He asked for my approval as well as Dad’s.”
Things have been mildly better with my parents over the past few months. I talk to Mom at least once a week, and we’ve been working on our own relationship apart from Dad.
As for Dad, we don’t talk weekly but a few times a month.
He still gives his opinions without asking if I want them.
But he’s stopped being so forceful and manipulative.
He offers his opinion; he also listens to mine.
His questions have started becoming more like …
things for me to think about. Not questions undermining my choices.
It’s far from perfect, but it is progress. And it means a lot that Collin asked both Dad and Chase.
“And Dad said yes?”
“We both said yes. You couldn’t find a better guy than Collin, and I think Dad is finally coming around to that fact. I’m so happy for you, MOLO. And really glad we get to share this family.”
Me too.
“Did you even look at the ring?” Collin asks, moving to pluck it from the table.
I didn’t, actually. But I grab his arm, stopping him from picking it up.
“Wait!” I say, and the conversations stop. “Sit back down. We’ve got a hand to finish. And I think the ring is your call.”
Tank laughs, and Pat bursts into giggles. From beside me, Winnie snorts.
Collin only shakes his head at me. “I had no idea you were so competitive, Molly-girl.”
I shrug as I sit down and point to his chair. “Now you know.”
“Well, you’ve been called,” Collin says. “Show your hand.”
I turn over my cards. “Straight flush, Jack high.”
There are a few appreciative whistles, but Collin only nods, still smiling as he rubs his chin thoughtfully. “That’s a nice hand,” he says.
“It is. And now it’s time to reveal yours.”
Laughing, Collin shakes his head and picks up his cards, still not turning them over. “Just so we’re clear, no matter what these cards are, the ring is still yours. This is the only time we both still win no matter who loses.”
“Aw, isn’t that so cute,” Pat says, fluttering his lashes and putting a hand over his heart.
“Shut up, Patty,” several people say at once.
“Come on, Collin,” I say, tapping the table impatiently and eyeing the ring, which is a gorgeous, princess cut diamond in a simple rose gold setting. I have to resist a very strong urge to grab it from the pile of chips and slip it on my finger. “Show your hand.”
“I think I already did,” he says with a grin. “At least about what’s important. But since you seem so bent on winning …”
Collin flips his cards over in dramatic fashion, and the table once again erupts with cheers and congratulations as he walks over to my side of the table again, kissing me before slipping the ring on my finger.
“Congratulations, future Mrs. Graham,” he says, tightening his arms around me. “Here’s to years down the road of winning with you.”
Keep turning the pages for a bonus epilogue and sneak peek at the last character who will get their happily ever after in Sheet Cake…