Epilogue
LAILA
* Eight Years Later *
I’m caught up in a blur of smiles and a whirlwind of people who want to shake my hand – people I know, people I don't, people I met an hour ago and have already forgotten.
All I can focus on is getting out of here as quickly as possible.
Finally, I escape the backstage area and head toward the rear of the hall.
When I took a job at a much larger publisher, although I enjoyed the work, I had to get used to things like networking. Looking down at the marble and bronze starburst trophy in my hand, I guess it was worth it.
I’ve just won my first literary award.
I really need to hug my family.
My gorgeous, handsome husband looks stunning as ever in his suit, sitting in a chair with two smaller versions of him standing beside either knee. Even though they look very dapper and dressed up, their dad is keeping a hand firmly on each of them.
“They were so good during the ceremony," Devin says as I lean down to give him a quick kiss while setting the trophy on a nearby table.
Chris looks up at me with big brown eyes, so similar to his father’s. "You looked very pretty on the stage, Mommy. I liked the sword thing in your hair." He’s only six but already understands the importance of genuine compliments.
"Thank you, sweetie."
I reach down to let four-year-old Wade jump into my arms. As soon as we're almost face to face, he sticks out his bottom lip. "We didn't get to go on stage with you, though."
"Sorry, love. Only the people getting the awards get to go there."
His eyes are darker than his father's, especially when he narrows them at me. "Grumble."
I burst out laughing as Devin picks up Chris with one arm and my trophy with the other. "Who's hungry?" he asks.
“Me!” the boys both squeal.
Devin grins. "Since Mommy just won the award, maybe we should let her decide where we go to eat."
I whisper into Wade's ear, then he laughs, shrieking, "Yay! Pie!"
"I guess that means we're going to Ray’s Diner?" Devin asks.
"Kid-friendly and a fabulous burger? Plus pie? It’s not even a question."
"Good point." He leans in to kiss my cheek.
As soon as we have the boys safely buckled into their car seats, Devin runs around behind the car to open my door. He uses the opportunity to kiss the daylights out of me, since the kids can't see.
“Your speech was perfect. Short, charming, and heartfelt.” His voice drops to dark smoke. “Plus, you were super sexy under those stage lights. I'm going to show you what it did to me later."
"Deal." I smack his sculpted butt. "Since I’m the award winner, the rules state that you get to do bedtime with the boys tonight while I soak in the tub."
He nuzzles my throat, dragging his teeth along my skin and making me shiver.
"You're not going to say grumble to that?" I giggle.
"Nope. I’m always going to do everything you need. Right now, for instance, I’m going to feed you immediately, put the boys to bed on the double, then join you in the tub and worship you all night long.”
“Mmm. Sounds perfect.”
As we drive to Ray’s, the place where we met and have since been dozens of times with the kids, my heart swells with a burst of joy.
That night I first met Devin, I was so nervous. Shy. Babbling. But it didn’t matter. He saw through all that.
He already saw us.
You’ll visit Ray’s Diner again in the Fake to Real series. Claudia the waitress is the star of Fake Summer Wife.
You’ll see Rosa and Mrs. H. again in the three-part series Winter Heat at Wolfe Mountain Chalet. Keep reading for a taste…
*Maya*
“Hang on, let me help you.”
The deep voice makes me jump, and I spin to stare into warm brown eyes that…oh my…
My breath and heart begin to sputter. He's…gorgeous.
"Damn, I'm sorry." He takes my elbow and sits me in the chair. "I think I scared you half to death."
I feel even smaller next to him now that I'm sitting.
The man is huge. Not like a bodybuilder; like a man who spends a lot of time swinging an axe.
His dark green flannel shirt is just snug enough to show off his wide chest, and the sleeves are rolled up, showing off thick, tanned forearms and a bit of a dark, swirling tattoo.
Focus. You're here to serve him, and make his stay special.
"You're up early." I manage a soft laugh. "I heard you gentlemen got in quite late."
He chuckles, easily moving the other two chairs into place. I laugh as he lifts the last one with me still in it, setting it in position. "Nothing keeps me from good coffee."
I stand slowly, noticing the top of my head is barely at his shoulder. Looking up at his sculpted jawline and ruggedly handsome features, I can already tell it's going to be challenging to keep my focus.
"I'm Maya. I'll be your server this week."
His hand darts out to shake mine rather formally. "Nice to meet you, Maya. I'm Dylan. I'll be your guest who will be asking for too much coffee at an early hour."
"I'll bear that in mind. Would you like an espresso, or is regular drip fine to get started?"
"This is great, thanks."
Before I can reach for the coffee to pour, he serves himself. Then he notices my look of confusion. "Sorry. We're do-it-yourselfer types. Not used to being waited on. Hope that isn't annoying to you."
How could I be annoyed with a man like this looking so deeply into my eyes?
"I'm here to make you comfortable. Just let me know anything I can do." A bell rings faintly from the kitchen. "I'm guessing that fresh fruit and muffins with the coffee will be a good start before the full breakfast?"
Dylan sinks into a chair, his inviting lips pulled into a saucy grin. "I will eat everything you tell me to, Maya."
With a quick nod, I dash to the kitchen, replaying what he just said. Oh my… Was he flirting? Did he mean for that to sound so racy?
My cheeks flame as I gather the trays. Luckily I hear the other two men coming into the dining room.
I'm going to have to be very careful that Dylan and I are never alone again.
I don't think my heart can take it.
Don’t worry, Maya’s heart will be just fine in Winter Heat at Wolfe Mountain Chalet.