Epilogue
It’s sixty degrees outside and I’m sweating. The work that goes into events is more than I imagined. No wonder the rest of the group goes out for drinks after they wrap up. Is it too early to take a shot?
“Paula, you need to calm down.” Tristan places his hands on my shoulders. “You don’t have anything to worry about.”
“Seriously?” I look around at the absolute chaos inside the venue my family built on Starlit Fields. “Nothing is where it’s supposed to be. I don’t think I can do this.”
He moves one hand to my jaw, turning my face until our eyes meet. “Take a deep breath.”
“Now’s not the ti—”
“Take a deep breath.” He cuts me off. This time it’s a demand, not a request.
I do as he says. I breathe in until my lungs are full.
His focus is on me the entire time. He doesn’t blink, only watches what I’m doing. “Now, let it out.”
As always, Tristan grounds me whenever I start to spiral. “Thank you.”
“You have me, the rest of the Whoopsie Daisy crew, and your family here to help you.” I start to turn, but he brings my attention back to him.
“We are not going to let your first event be anything but amazing. Samantha is making a list and handing out tasks. The only thing you need to do is finish putting the arrangements together and get them on the tables.”
“But the DJ isn’t here, and I can’t get ahold of him.”
“Let me worry about that. If push comes to shove, I can get on stage and perform one of the few scenes I did in high school.”
“Absolutely not.” I laugh. “No offense, but I’ve seen you act. It’s no wonder you were part of the stage crew.”
“Well, that’s mean.” He’s holding in his laughter so I know he’s not upset. He must think I’m calmer, because he pulls his hands away from me. I miss the contact already. “But I will track down the DJ. There will be music present for this party.”
“Thank you.”
Mom is walking toward us with a glass of wine in her hand. As soon as she reaches me, she hands it over. “I figured you might need this.”
“You are a life saver.” I take a big gulp. At least she doesn’t think it’s too early for booze. I hand it back to her, and she finishes it off. “Tell me everything is going to be okay.”
Tristan tilts his head to the side. “I literally just told you that.”
Mom pats him on the back. “Sweetie, sometimes it needs to be heard from a parent.” Then she focuses on me. “I’m so proud of everything you have accomplished. This party will be the event of the season.”
“Thanks, Mom.”
She gives me a quick hug. “I’m going to make sure your brothers are doing their part.”
“See, we have faith in you. This is your first event, and you should be so fucking proud of the way it’s come together. I know working for both places has been hectic. But I’ve got you.”
He reaches for my hand, and I let him take it. I fully expect him to take me somewhere to calm down, but he doesn’t. He leads me toward a table that has the rest of the arrangements. “Let’s get these babies done. Are there certain tables they need to go on?”
“Nope. The only one that has something different is the one for the family.”
“Perfect, I’ll start placing these while you work on the last couple of centerpieces.”
He uses my hand as leverage to me toward him.
Dipping me back, he kisses me long and hard.
Whistles and clapping fill the space around us.
Our friends and family are ridiculous, but at least they are supportive.
Being honest about my feelings with them is the only reason I’m able to put on this event today.
I hold onto him like the life line he is. Finally, he lifts me up and pulls away. “That was a bit of good luck. You’ll get more when this shindig is over. I love you.”
“I love you, too, weirdo.” As calm and reserved as he is most of the time, he does like to make a spectacle of himself. He’ll do anything to make sure I always have a smile on my face.
I watch him as he takes off, a vase in each hand. How did I get so lucky to find someone like him? It almost feels like fate had a hand in bringing us together. I glance down at the phone that started it all. I’m cherishing every moment I can with this man.