Epilogue #2
Christy grits her teeth at the mention of our father, then takes my hand.
“Well, it’s going to be an incredible night, I guarantee it.
There are plenty of people coming to support you.
And this time you don’t have to waste a second worrying about Charlie’s intentions.
I know he did the hard work to get here…
but I don’t think he would’ve quit Sutton’s and become a photographer if you hadn’t pushed him.
I see how grateful he is, every time he looks at you.
That man loves you with his entire heart and soul. ”
“Trust me, I know,” I say, my eyes glistening. “And to think—I almost gave up on finding him.”
Christy and I arrive at the gallery an hour before the show. Tati Marie and Odette, who’ve basically become my surrogate aunts over this past year, are putting the finishing touches on a floral arrangement by the front door.
Marie greets me with a hug first. “What an exciting night for you, Jenna, dear. You’ve worked so hard this year, and look at how far you’ve come.”
It’s true. Since I wrapped up my design work, I’ve been devoted to painting. And I’ve earned enough money from commissions to believe this can be a sustainable career.
“Thank you, Marie. Taking your class was one of the best decisions I’ve ever made.”
She wipes a tear from her eye.
“Yowza,” Odette exclaims before giving me a kiss on the cheek. “You’re a knockout.”
When she steps away, I look down at my dress again—midi-length and metallic gold, featuring a dramatic plunging neckline and flared skirt. With my red lips and blonde hair, I feel like Marilyn Monroe.
“It’s not too much? I don’t normally question my style choices, but I don’t want to take attention away from my art.” I glance at Christy, who looks incredibly chic in her black sheath and a tailored jacket. “Maybe I should borrow your blazer.”
My sister shakes her head. “First of all, you look stunning. Second of all, I need the blazer. I’m in ‘art agent’ mode, remember? That’s why I’m here—to get you sales,” she teases.
“Honey, your paintings are as stunning as you are,” Odette tells me, “so keep shining bright, and stop worrying.” She winks at me. “Besides, you already have guests.”
I look toward the opposite end of the room and spot a tall man in a baseball cap, dark jeans, and a gray long-sleeved shirt.
He’s facing away from me, and I’m guessing he didn’t hear us walk in over the merengue music coming from the loudspeakers.
Or maybe he’s just distracted by the adorable baby he’s wearing in a carrier.
“Dex Oliver,” I say as Christy and I walk toward him.
When he turns around, eight-month-old Stella squeals and claps her hands.
She must just be a happy baby, because there’s no way she’d remember me.
I met her once, about four months ago, when Charlie and I drove up to Beachwood for Sunny and Dex’s belated housewarming party.
The Dexters have been living in their newly constructed dream home since before Stella was born, but decided to wait to celebrate, so their friends and family could meet her.
“Hi, little doll,” I say, grabbing one of her teeny, tiny feet.
“We came early so we can get Stella down for bed at a reasonable time. I hope you don’t mind,” Dex tells me.
“Of course not. I still can’t believe you guys drove all this way.”
“We wouldn’t miss it.” When Dex leans down to hug me, Stella giggles into my hair.
He wraps an arm around my sister next. “Hey, Christy. Good to see you.”
“This is the most beautiful child I’ve ever laid eyes on,” my sister gushes.
Dex half-smiles, then kisses his daughter’s head. “She gets it from her mother. ”
“Speaking of Sunny,” I begin to say, but just then, I follow the sound of high heels clacking, and turn to see her walking over to us from the bathroom.
She looks more beautiful every time I see her. And it’s not like she’s changed much physically—it’s just the happiness she radiates. She’s married to the love of her life. They have a gorgeous baby girl. And she’s published two romance novels, which are flying off the shelves of every bookstore.
“I had spit-up on my dress…I think it’s all gone now,” she says, eyeing her shoulder before hugging me and Christy. “It’s so great to see you both. And congratulations, Jenna. Your paintings are breathtaking.”
“Thank you so much. That means the world to me.”
“Sunny can’t decide which ones she wants for our house,” Dex says, smiling at his wife.
“These Italian landscapes are just so beautiful,” she tells me. “We’re trying to narrow it down to three, but it’s tough.”
“Three?” I say in disbelief. “Wow. You guys are too kind.”
“And you’re too talented,” Sunny quips back.
“Speaking of talent,” Christy chimes in, “if you ever need a literary agent, Sunny?—”
“You’ll be the first one I call, trust me,” she promises. “Your reputation precedes you—you’re the best in the business.”
Smiling, my sister shrugs one shoulder, as if to say, “She’s not wrong.”
“But right now, self-publishing is working well for me,” Sunny goes on. “I want to work on my own schedule, especially with Stella being so little. ”
“That’s fair,” Christy says, reaching for the baby’s hand. “I mean, who wouldn’t want to spend all day with this cutie pie.”
Stella grins, right on cue.
“How about you, Dex? Are you still traveling a lot for work?” I ask.
He shakes his head. “I’m taking some time off from speaking engagements, so I can be home with my girls. It’s been nice living in our own little bubble—just the three of us.”
“We’re making the most of it while we have him all to ourselves.” Sunny trades a smile with Dex that makes my cheeks warm. “But he’s got big plans for the Dramatic Hearts Academy.”
“I’ve heard wonderful things about the program,” Christy says, which comes as no surprise. Dex’s wildly successful initiative to use the dramatic arts as a tool to help kids with anxiety has gotten great press coverage over the past year. “Are you hoping to expand?”
He nods. “We’re in schools across the country now, which is a dream come true for me. But eventually, I’d like to develop an offshoot of the program for adults. I’m still working out the details, but it’ll be called the Dramatic Hearts Club.”
“That’s amazing,” Christy and I say, almost in unison.
Not to be outshone by her superstar dad, baby Stella starts wildly kicking her feet to the upbeat music playing over the speakers.
We all laugh and smile, which excites her even more.
Then Dex takes her little hands and starts dancing to the music himself—and I’m glad there are no paparazzi here, because it’s literally the cutest thing I’ve ever witnessed. Seeing Dex as a dad warms my heart .
“I think my ovaries just exploded,” Christy says in my ear as Dex twirls Sunny, and the happy family of three dances together.
“Aww, I can’t wait to be Auntie Jenna. I’m going to spoil your kids like crazy—you know that, right?”
“You’ll be the cool aunt they run to with questions about life, and love, and art,” my sister says, grinning.
“It’ll be my best job yet,” I reply, and Christy squeezes my arm, her eyes glistening.
“So, where’s Charlie?” Sunny asks, when the Dexters are done dancing.
“He should be here any minute,” I say. “His parents are coming, too, which surprises me. Things are still a little tense between Charlie and his father. When we went to Denver for his mom’s birthday in May, his dad scowled the entire time.”
“Sounds familiar,” Christy mutters under her breath.
“But Charlie still managed to enjoy himself,” I go on. “I’m so impressed with how he’s learned to let things roll off his back. He rarely lets his dad get under his skin anymore.”
When the gallery door opens, letting in the bustling sounds of the city, my heart skips a beat, expecting to see Charlie. But it’s his parents who’ve just come in—without him. And his dad is wearing a frown, as always.
“Speak of the devil,” I sigh. “I’m going to go say hello.”
“Let’s decide on landscapes before someone else snags them all,” Sunny tells Dex as Christy and I walk to greet the Suttons together.
“Hi, Simone,” I say, enveloping Charlie’s mom in a hug.
“So happy to see you, sweetheart,” she says, beaming .
We get along well—which isn’t surprising since my boyfriend’s kind, thoughtful nature so clearly comes from her.
His father, on the other hand, gives me a stern nod. “Jenna,” is all he says.
I take a page from his playbook, wiping the smile off my face. “William.”
“Where’s Charlie?” Christy asks on my behalf.
“He had a quick errand to run,” his mom says. “Don’t worry, he’ll be here shortly.”
My sister and I trade sideways glances.
“I’m going to look at your pieces,” William Sutton barks, then walks away.
I turn to Simone, who’s grinning. “He is so impressed by you, Jenna. I think he might be your biggest fan.”
My eyes go wide. She can’t possibly be talking about her husband, who’s never once cracked a smile in my presence. “ William is my biggest fan?”
“Oh, yes. I know he has a funny way of showing it, but William’s never worn his heart on his sleeve. If he shows up, though, that means he cares. Otherwise, he’d be back in Denver, working. And he’s here for Charlie, too. William’s proud of both of you.”
“Does your son know that?”
Simone nods. “I made them sit down and talk earlier this afternoon. It was mostly William grunting, and me translating for him, but I think we’re all on the same page now.”
“That’s such wonderful news.” It makes me even more excited for Charlie to get here. But even after Mrs. Sutton joins her husband, and others begin to arrive, their son’s still nowhere in sight.