Epilogue
EPILOGUE
LEO
T wo years later
“Leo Warner came back from injury over two years ago to win his second Super Bowl,” the newscaster says as I help arrange breakfast on the kitchen island.
“Do you need any help?” Elara asks, her head popping into view.
“Nope, I got it all taken care of,” I tell her with a smile.
“Steamers ready?” she asks, eyeing me suspiciously.
“Of course.” I point across the room to the mugs of steaming milk and peppermint creamer.
“Thank god,” she says with a smile, instantly grabbing one.
I sit in my stool, waiting for Briar to make her way out of her room. “So what’s on the schedule today?”
Elara takes a piece of bacon off the plate, biting it and thinking. “Well mom and I are going to help Aunt Isla look at wedding dresses, so that’s exciting.”
My best friend had finally gotten his shit together and asked my sister to marry him, and I couldn’t be more excited.
It took a lot to completely repair my relationship with him, but it was work that I gladly put in. After a year of regular therapy, I knew I wasn’t completely fixed, but I knew what I had to do to make things right. I continued to go, and it’s been a lifesaver for me.
“You excited?” I ask her.
Elara nods vigorously, her hair bouncing as she does. “She’s going to be the most beautiful, I just know it. I’m so excited.”
The wedding is still about a year away, but I can’t wait for it, either.
The sound of nails on my hardwood floor has me turning, watching as Champ makes her way over to me, her mom following close behind.
Smiling, I stand, taking Briar in my arms. “Sleep okay?” I ask.
She rolls her eyes. “You were snoring especially loud last night,” she complains, but she smiles after a moment, kissing me. “But I slept fine. What’s all this for?” she eyes the spread.
We usually have family breakfast, but today I went a little overboard.
“Well, your agent called,” I tell her, sitting back down and grabbing her hips. She settles into me, her back melting in my arms. “And told me your cookbook is currently a New York Times Bestseller.”
Her head whips around. “What?”
I nod, and Elara smiles from the other side of the island.
After two long years of publishing, Briar finally got an agent and a book deal. The rest has been history.
“There’s been a lot of good news lately, I’m starting to get suspicious,” she chuckles, taking the cup of coffee Elara hands her graciously. She takes a sip, turning to the TV.
“…in a strange case that’s been making waves throughout the city, a businessman by the name of Tony Cage has been arrested for starting several fraudulent charities…”
“I can’t believe he was so stupid he actually took the choice away from me,” Briar shakes her head, taking another sip.
“Doesn’t it feel a little good though?” I ask her with a chuckle.
She shrugs. “It feels a little good.”
“Then that’s what matters, right?”
“Right.”
“Well,” I slap her ass as I stand. “Let’s eat. I know you two have a big day with Isla, and I have to get to work planning your party.”
Briar’s head whips up.
“Party?”
“You think I’d let you celebrate this milestone without a party?” I scoff. “You should know me better than that, Sunny.”