Epilogue
Seven months later
C ome on, we’re going to be late.” Leo and Tilly are at the door. He’s been ready for a while, always on top of things as he is, but I’m still making last-minute tweaks to Cholula’s outfit.
“I forgot to move the snap.” I rush into the hallway, the fabric of my strapless, royal-blue dress, made special for the occasion, swishing around my legs. I hold up the floral tutu I’m referring to. “It was way too big on her the other day, but now it’s perfect.” I lean forward to tie my heeled espadrilles, smiling up at Leo as I balance.
“Can’t have anything less than that.” He offers me his hand to stand. “You have everything? Purse, phone, gum? Your hair looks amazing by the way. Reminds me of Belle.”
“That was the plan.” I give him a flirty pat on the behind. “Now let’s mosey.”
We stroll arm in arm down the street to the park and down the Riverwalk, joining a throng of equally dressed-up folks heading in the same direction. Some I recognize, others I don’t.
“There’s Pop and the dogs.” I call his name and speed up, dragging Leo along.
The gazebo at the end of the narrow peninsula that stretches into the middle of the river is clad in wisteria and birch branches, and the chairs set out on the lawn before it are wrapped in white tulle. It’s not fancy or elaborate but highly effective.
“How are you doing?” I ask Harvey. “Ready?”
He glances toward the gazebo and then buttons and unbuttons his linen jacket. “Sure, sure.”
“It’s a beautiful day for a wedding,” Leo says, shaking Pop’s hand.
“That it is. Did you lock up the store?”
“Of course. And I put up the sign. But I think every single customer this week already knew about today. Good news spreads fast.”
Harvey pats Leo’s arm. “Good man.”
Canine King is no more. Rather than letting his dad absorb it and put someone else in charge, Leo sold off his inventory at a steep discount to yours truly and ended his lease early. I know he took a loss, but he wouldn’t hear of it when we offered to pay cost in installments. All he wanted in return was a chance to turn Happy Paws around, and how could we say no to that? With him in charge, we’ve never been doing better.
Leo is right—it is a beautiful day. July heat, sunshine, blue sky, bare shoulders, sandals. Personally, I’d prefer a fall wedding beneath red foliage and a huge party in a barn decked out in maroon, gold, and dusty pink, but so far, that remains a purely hypothetical fantasy. Although, come to think of it, Leo has been dropping hints about our upcoming trip with Diane to see his mom in New York next month, so maybe there’s a chance my dreaming will manifest into something tangible sooner than I think.
“I have Cholula’s outfit.” I push my romantic visions aside and squat down to pull the tutu over Cho’s tail end. I also fasten a white lace collar around her neck. “Do you have the ring?”
“I do.” Harvey pulls a small box from his pocket and hands it to me so I can attach it to the collar with a bow.
“There. Should we head over to the gazebo?”
“I’ll take the dogs.” Leo holds out his hand for the leashes. Then he wishes Harvey good luck.
Harvey winks at him. “Good luck has nothing to do with it, son. When it’s right, you know it. You feel it in your bones.”
My eyes narrow at the silent understanding that seems to be passing between them, but I don’t ask. There’s no time, and if they’re in cahoots about something, I will eventually find out about it.
Leo holds my hand tightly throughout the ceremony, which is brief but sweet and officiated by Dawn who was already ordained from a previous wedding.
“You did a great job with her dress,” Leo whispers to me when Sylvia walks down the aisle on her brother’s arm. Charles has regained his ability to walk, but his speech is still a work in progress. More importantly, he’s also forgiven Harvey for stealing his puddings.
Cholula prances proudly ahead of them and stops next to Harvey as if she’s trained for this moment her whole life. I guess she missed out on the audience back in December.
“Thanks, I’m happy with it.”
“You made that?” my mom asks on the other side of me. She and my dad are in town for the weekend, though I’m still not convinced they’ll actually stay for the picnic later. If they hauled away in the RV right after the happy couple is pronounced husband and wife, I’d not be surprised. Consequently, I’m not holding my breath, but instead focusing on the warm, solid fingers gripping mine. Some people have awesome, close relationships with their parents. Others have grandfathers, bonus aunts and grandmothers, and boyfriends who treat them like the princess they once dressed up as for Halloween.
“Yeah, it’s part of my portfolio from class,” I tell her. My Christmas present from Leo was a design class at a fashion studio in downtown Chicago. After winning the money, and then having Leo, and Sylvia for that matter, step onto the stage as major players at Harvey’s side, I’m not needed at the store much anymore.
“Maybe you can make something for me some time,” Mom says.
It’s the closest thing to a compliment I’ll get from her, so I’ll take it.
“Have you thought of doing it professionally?” Dad asks, leaning forward on Mom’s other side.
“Martin,” Mom says sternly and slaps his arm. “Look alive, will you. She’s starting classes at the Art Institute this fall. I told you this already.” She shakes her head discreetly so only I can see. Getting old , she mouths.
I smile indulgently.
“Very good.” Dad nods to me. “Good for you.”
They do end up staying for the picnic, which is a rustic affair with blankets, baskets, barking dogs, and finger foods provided in large part by Diane.
Sylvia has a big family, and after the newlyweds cut a cake the size of a small horse, the younger crew breaks out lawn games and kites. As far as perfect afternoons go, it is a solid ten—I don’t know how else to describe it.
Leo lounges next to me, his six-foot-two frame stretched out languidly in all its glory, feet bare, sleeves rolled up. Cholula is curled up next to him, drilling her dark eyes into his every time he stops feeding her ice cream from the carton in his hand.
“Should I be jealous?” I ask, my smile tilted to the sun. “Or are you just making amends for old times?”
The boombox someone brought is playing retro hits in the background, and my toes keep the rhythm while I wait for him to answer. When he doesn’t, I use my hand as a shade and look at him.
His gaze is a caress, playing across my face.
“What are you thinking?” I ask.
“Nothing.” He feeds Cho another spoonful. “Sometimes you still take my breath away, that’s all.”
That lightness only he evokes fizzes inside me. “Good answer. I shouldn’t be jealous then?”
“Definitely not.”
The steady piano beats of a Dolly Parton song ring out over the speakers, and Boris’s tail starts wagging on the blanket next to ours where Sylvia and Harvey have been whispering sweet nothings to each other going on a couple of hours now.
I want that. And I want it with Leo. One day.
“Here he goes again,” Leo laughs, echoing the lyrics as the wolfhound starts singing along.
Leo puts the spoon down and pulls us both to our feet, sweeping me into his arms so that we move together in a slow shuffle.
“I never told you this, but I once saw you dance with Boris in the store, and it made me jealous. I think that’s when I knew I was in trouble.”
I tilt my head back to look at him. “Really? Jealous of a dog? Never heard of such a thing.”
“Strange huh?” He kisses my nose and then tucks me close as the song plays.
“Come on, Boris. You’re kind of ruining the moment,” I say, as if that will have any impact on the howling coming from yards away.
“I don’t blame him for singing along. He’s got great taste.”
A low hum starts deep within Leo’s chest, becoming clearer by the moment as we move. Is he… singing?
“You and me, Boris—let’s take it away,” Leo says before launching into a pitch-perfect rendition of “Here You Come Again” for my ears only, every word hitting a bull’s-eye at my heart.
It’s a serenade for the history books—man and dog in perfect harmony—and when the final chord fades, we come to a stop.
“Of course, you sing, too,” I say. “I suppose that means I should be thankful you forfeited that karaoke challenge way back. Kept me on a winning streak.” I place a soft kiss on his lips. “In fact, if I’m not mistaken, you lost every single one of our bets. You know what that means, don’t you?” I sneak a hand up to my forehead in the shape of an L.
Leo laughs and takes hold of it. Braids his fingers with mine. “Are you kidding?” he says, squeezing me to him. “If you ask anyone here, watching us right now, they’ll tell you I’m the real winner. Have been this whole time.”
I get up on my toes and lean in, my lips almost touching his ear.
“Agree to disagree.”