Epilogue
REED
Two months later
Perk Me Up has become my worst nightmare. In the best way.
It’s never been this crowded, with more people standing around making conversation than ones taking up the full tables.
Every time I move, I rub elbows with townies wanting to chat.
The back of my neck itches, and if I didn’t have a reason to stay, I’d already be gone.
But everyone’s here after hours to celebrate Rose.
I didn’t know “Under New Management” parties were a thing, but nobody deserves it more.
Fran sidles up to me, tugging Nora along behind her. “It must be tough not working next to your ladylove day in and day out anymore.”
She makes a show of looking across the room to where my gaze is stuck. Rose moves among the well-wishers, accepting congratulations on the shop’s successful change of hands. Paperwork’s still going through the legal process, but she’s had control of the place since I offered it to her.
First thing on her agenda was a fresh coat of paint.
She chose something called “Dreamsicle,” an orange so pale it’s almost neutral.
But it brightens up the place, complementing the white subway tile behind the counter and the dark wood throughout the rest of the space.
Makes me think of sunrise and a new day dawning.
That fits. That’s exactly what she is.
“It took some getting used to,” I tell Fran. I don’t mention that I might not have Rose beside me all day anymore, but having her with me all night more than makes up for the loss.
“You look like you’re settling into your new job well enough.” Her gaze drifts over me in lazy appreciation. “We do enjoy a man in uniform.”
The parks department “uniform” is a simple brown button-down with khaki cargo pants. I would have gone home and changed after work, but I didn’t want to miss any of this moment to cheer on Rose.
“The job suits me.”
It’s not the same kind of work I did as an assistant park ranger, but I don’t mind the changes. I’m overseeing maintenance of grounds and trails and developing plans for conservation efforts. I deal with far fewer people on a daily basis than I did here, something that benefits everyone.
“I hope you won’t make Rose wait long before you put a ring on her finger.” Fran bats her eyelashes, every beat a demand.
She doesn’t have to worry about that. She also doesn’t get to know about that.
“We’ve talked about this again and again,” Nora says under her breath. “That’s too much pushing.”
“It’s not pushing.” Fran nods at me as if I’ll take her side. “It’s gently nudging him in the right direction.”
Nudging, a roundhouse kick to the face—what’s the difference?
“He won’t wait around.” Nora’s still stage-whispering. “He knows how special she is.”
Subtlety must gradually leave your body as you age, like calcium leeching from your bones.
“Can I drag Reed away from you ladies?” Rose appears at my side, slipping one arm around my waist and pulling in close. “I need him.”
The two titter together, and Fran shoos us on. “By all means.”
Rose leads me to the opposite side of the coffee shop, saying hello but not stopping as she weaves between people.
Most of the Sunshine Small Business Society members have cycled through this evening, from Lila and her husband to the Krauses to the entire McBride clan.
Even Shepherd Callahan stopped in to offer congratulations.
My jealousy couldn’t get too worked up when he had his fiancée at his side the whole time.
I still say he’s a fool for letting Rose go, but I’ll forever be grateful he did.
Two new baristas work behind the counter, pulling espresso shots and shaking iced drinks. They look painfully young to me, but Rose assures me they know what they’re doing.
I lean down to speak in her ear. “What did you need me for?”
Whatever it is, the answer is always yes.
She tilts her head to bless me with her dimple. “I just needed you.”
“I always like to hear that.”
Troy pops up in front of us. “I have to leave, but not without giving the woman of the hour one more round of congratulations.”
Rose and Troy briefly hug, swaying their shoulders side to side. “I couldn’t have done it without you.”
He releases her, flashing a cheeky grin. “Girl, please. It was all you.” He glances at me and some of his cockiness fades. “I want to say thanks again—”
“No need,” I tell him. “You deserve it.”
It didn’t seem right to give Rose the coffee shop without recognizing Troy.
He helped me hold this place together with duct tape and sheer will before Rose came along.
There wouldn’t have been anything left for her to transform if it weren’t for him.
He’s been happy enough to work here, but the coffee shop wasn’t his dream.
I offered to pay the rest of his college tuition, and he gladly accepted—after making sure I wasn’t drunk, suffering from heat stroke, or concussed.
It’s a gift for him as much as it is for me. Every time I find a new way to put Harry’s money to good use, that weight grows lighter. I have some set aside for Rose and me—and whoever else comes along—but I’m happy to share the rest.
The tips of Troy’s ears turn pink. “Thank you.”
I put on my best frown. “I’m going to rescind my gratitude if you keep repeating yours.”
He laughs. “There’s the grouchy former boss I’m used to. I’ll see you tomorrow, Rose.”
Troy leaves us, and Rose takes my hand as we slowly make our way to where my family have gathered.
Naturally, everyone’s holding iced coffees and frothy blended drinks.
Jovie runs over to drag us the last stretch.
My parents immediately pull Rose away from me and into their arms for dramatic, one-handed hugs.
“We’re so excited for you,” Mom says when she finally releases her. She reaches over and pats my cheek. “And you, too.”
Lucy moves in close to echo the move. “I’m proud of you, too.”
“Thanks, Luce.” I bat off her play simpering. I know what she’s proud of me for, and it’s not work. I appreciate the cheerleading, but she could tone down the gloating.
She turns to Cassie, who’s wandered over from her own mingling. “You’re good at this party stuff.”
Cassie laughs. “This is the easiest event I’ve been involved with all summer. Lila did half the work.”
“Will wedding season ease up for you now that summer’s almost over?” Luke asks her.
“Not yet. We have as many weddings booked for September as we did for June.” She tucks her hair behind one ear. “Don’t get me wrong, I love it. I haven’t had a bad experience here yet. But I appreciate low-key celebrations like this.”
“I hear karaoke’s a good way to blow off steam.” Nathan’s exceptionally smirky tonight.
A flush creeps over Cassie’s cheeks. “Maybe I’ll try that.”
“A toast.” Dad lifts his iced matcha. “To new adventures.”
We lift our drinks, and my gaze meets Rose’s. “To new adventures.”
“I love this couch,” Rose murmurs.
I slide my hands up her back. “You’re not on it.”
After the last of the congratulators left the shop, I helped Rose close up for the night.
We grabbed a quick bite at Delish and collapsed onto her new couch as soon as we walked in the door.
I’m spread out on my back with her snuggled on my chest, light filtering down from upstairs casting everything in a golden glow.
She picked out the brightest yellow couch I’ve ever seen. I didn’t even know they made furniture in fabrics that colorful. But it’s plush and comfortable, and I’ve fallen asleep exactly like this a dozen times. Might again tonight.
“But if it wasn’t so cozy, we wouldn’t be able to snuggle like this,” she says.
“Sound logic.”
She props herself up, resting her chin on her folded hands over my sternum. “Thank you,” she says softly. “For everything.”
I glide my hand over her hair and down her shoulder. “You were the right woman for the job.”
I’m certain Harry’s out there somewhere, smiling down on Rose taking over the coffee shop. She’s already making it better, working with a local bakery to add daily pastries into the mix, and her online order system really has streamlined the back-end process. Best of all, she loves the place.
Harry wanted me to do better. Nothing could be better than making Rose happy.
“I don’t just mean the coffee shop. I’m grateful for sure. But…” She shrugs, her gaze growing soft in the dim light. “You see me and support me and trust me in a way nobody ever has before. When I’m with you, I feel like I can just be me. And for the first time, that’s enough.”
My hands splay over her back, pulling her closer, my heart thrumming beneath her. “Firefly, you’re more than enough. You’re everything.”
She leans in, giving me a gentle kiss. The soft press of her lips gives way to playful nips with her teeth.
My skin heats, and the kiss is just starting to promise more when Stormy jumps up to join us.
We break the kiss to find him staring at us with those striking blue eyes.
He head-bonks Rose’s shoulder, then curls up against my side.
Soon, his little motor starts up, his purr loud in the stillness.
“Aww,” Rose coos, turning back to me. “He loves you.”
“Grump attracts grump.”
Her grin makes my chest puff up like she handed me the whole world. “Sometimes grump attracts sunshine, too.”
I glide my hands over her back. “I’m grateful every day for that.”
“I love you, Reed.”
“I love you, too, firefly.”