Epilogue
TILLY
A week later….
I understand that the town of Cheerful is all about being happy and in love.
It also encompasses the spirit of Christmas all year round.
Everyone is polite and does those small-town waves to each other.
People go out of their way to help their neighbors, and I love that about this town.
It's why I knew I'd never leave. This place is a part of me.
That said, sometimes you have to be petty. Others might not want to do the dirty work, but I will. If you cross me or this town, I'm not letting it go. I’m not the person that will grow and learn a lesson from what you did. Nope, I'm going to match your energy and traumatize you right back.
"Does Paxton know about any of this?" Molly asks as she scrolls through my phone, seeing all the evidence I collected and the traps I set.
It was fun watching Brian show up to dates only to get stood up, but that was just the tip of my plan.
I needed to drive him a little crazy, and I knew that would do it.
"No, my Paxton is a sweetheart. He's also protective, so he’d want to handle it himself. I can't have him doing that for me. Not when I can do it myself."
"These messages are so cringeworthy. How does he ever land a date?"
"I don't know. I'm guessing because of the tattoos and bad boy vibe he gives off. Emphasis on the 'boy' part."
Molly hands me back my phone. "What are you hoping this does?"
"I'm not sure. If we could run him out of town, that'd be nice." That’s the plan, and there is nothing more effective than a girl with one.
"That would be the best Christmas gift this town has ever gotten."
"Well, then, if that happens, I better get thank-you cards." When I see Paxton enter the hardware store, I give Molly a pointed look to lock it up.
"How's my pretty girl doing?" Paxton says before wrapping an arm around my waist and pulling me in close. The man is always full of affection and isn’t afraid to show it.
I didn't think I'd be down with either of those, but then again, I always thought it was gross and weird. In reality, I was just a hater.
“Better now that you’re here.” He gives me one of his charming smiles as he leans down, pressing his mouth to mine.
"I missed you," Paxton says against my lips, kissing me again. As if I wasn’t doing dirty things in his office over lunch.
"How could you not?" I tease. "I give you the best blow—" His mouth claims mine to silence me before I can finish, and I hear Molly giggle from beside us.
"Watch it," he warns me, giving my ass a squeeze.
I was ready for him to cut me off. While he might be down with kissing me in public, he isn't down for anyone thinking about me and sex together. My man is possessive, and I’m willing to admit it’s hot at hell.
"We better get going," I tell him.
The sooner we're done, the sooner we can get home to check on our little ones.
"Little ones" being our animals. I'm sure the human variation of ‘little ones’ will come along soon enough.
Paxton and I go at it like rabbits. Two virgins that finally get to release years of pent-up sexual needs means non-stop fucking.
"Why do I get the sense you're up to something?" He narrows his eyes.
"Because you read me so well." I give him a mischievous smirk.
"Oh god."
"Yeah, someone better be praying right now." That someone being Brian.
"I'm going to get my gifts. I'll see you guys there," Molly says before darting off back toward the bakery.
"Should I be worried?" Paxton cups my face.
"No, I know how to fight," I deadpan, earning me a very concerned stare. "I'm joking." I give his chest a pat and end up rubbing it. He's so damn hard everywhere. "I've never been in a real fight, but I think I would be good at it. I’m scrappy."
Paxton mutters a curse under his breath. "Good thing I know how to fight."
"Really? You've been in one?"
"I’ve wrestled a few animals. Plus, I boxed through college for exercise."
"Damn." I lick my lips. "How do you keep getting hotter?" I grip the front of his shirt and wiggle my eyebrows. “I still have my place upstairs."
Of course I do. It’s been a week since Paxton and I became official. I’ve been in his bed and home every night since the snowstorm. Wait, our place. We’re not married yet, but still everything is a ‘we’ now.
So much so that Paxton can take it to another level at times, even calling his clinic our clinic. The most I’ve ever done in there is snuggle animals and have a few quickies in his office.
"Don't tempt me. Let's do the gifts and head home."
"I'm down with this plan."
I grab my bag and lock up while Paxton grabs the gifts we got for the donations. They'll be used at the holiday party for the kids. Everyone brings stuff so they are ready to go.
Each year the kids put on a play at the school, and afterward, there is a kid-centered celebration.
All the kids get gifts, and it’s fun to watch them open them.
I remember when I got to do it when I was younger.
I was the lead in the play one year, which wasn’t shocking because I have a big mouth.
Though Miss Carol said I got the part because I was bursting with personality.
I'm still not sure if that was a compliment or not.
It probably was because she's super sweet.
We make our way toward City Hall, and with my mom being the mayor, I should be able to get in and out easily. I also might be able to remove the footage of me doing so as well.
I can already hear murmuring as we make our way up the steps. A few people who haven't seen my wedding ring yet stop us as we enter. It appears to be a simple gold band at a glance, but it has beautiful etching on it.
It’s soft and beautiful while still being functional for me.
I’m always using my hands and moving things around at the hardware store.
I also am very hands-on at home with renovations and tending to the animals.
I’ve even won Dominick over. Mint leaves and chopped-up apple slices can go a long way.
Along with scratches behind his ears. Paprika is as feisty as her name.
When we finally reach the table inside, I see everyone is lingering around it. It’s the place to leave the gifts, but there are pamphlets placed on it too.
“What’s this?” I say loudly as I pick one up and flip it open. “Oh my gosh.” I gasp even louder, scandalized. “What is this filth?"
“Are you sure you had the lead in the play?” Paxton whispers next to my ear, and I elbow him in the side.
"Who did this?" Brian comes storming into city hall, snatching pamphlets out of people's hands. "It's bullshit! All lies!" he bellows.
"That's not true. I'm on page two," one woman says.
"Sadly, I'm on page seven," another adds.
They wanted in on Brian's downfall too, and who am I to deprive them of it? It is the holiday season and the time for sharing. My catfishing attempts make up about five of the pages. Some might call it entrapment. I call it revenge.
The pamphlets are filled with page after page of all the bullshit Brian has been doing online. It shows how he treats and talks to women when he thinks no one else will ever know. I put all his dirty deeds on full display.
"I think you're going to be on the naughty list this year, Brian," I tell him, and he swings around, narrowing his eyes on me.
"This is your doing."
"Maybe." I shrug. "If you fuck with others, they might fuck with you right back. Don’t be shocked if they do it better."
"You stuck-up bitch!"
He charges at me, and I think I'm about to find out if I can fight, but Paxton is quicker, as I knew he would be. He nails Brian right in the face, and the guy flies backwards like a cartoon character hitting the ground.
"I'll kill—" Paxton says as he goes for Brian again.
I throw myself in front of him, covering his mouth with my hand.
"Don't say that out loud in public." I stare up at him, and I can see the fury in his eyes. He really wants to lay Brian out again. "Right now it’s still self-defense."
"Hey, what are you doing?" Brian screeches, and I turn back around to see the sheriff putting the cuffs on him.
"You're under arrest." Sheriff Snower yanks Brian to his feet.
"For what? He hit me." Brian’s voice has gone high-pitched.
"For attempted assault and a whole list of charges. I have a warrant for all your electronics."
Brian pales. I'm guessing there’s a whole lot more than him taking people's identities and pretending to be them online in those devices.
"Nothing to say to that?" the sheriff asks. Brian's face turns red now, and he seems genuinely embarrassed.
Everyone cheers as Sheriff Snower leads him out of City Hall. If this doesn't run him out of town, I'm confident once they pull all the things on his electronics and I make a public records request for that information, that will surely do it.
"Tilly," Paxton says.
"That's me," I chirp, turning back around to face my man.
"Is this your doing?"
"It's your Christmas present." His brows rise. "You got to hit him scot-free."
Paxton chuckles. "I have to say, there’s nothing better and more entertaining than being on your good side."
"No one messes with my man and gets away with it," I tell him. "Except me."
"Except you,” he agrees. "Now let's go home so you can mess with me some more."
"I love this plan." I grab the front of his shirt, pulling him down for a kiss. Everyone starts to cheer, and what can I say? I’ve made Cheerful all the more cheerful.