epilogue
CASH
THE MONTH SINCE THE ACQUISITION was finalized has been a whirlwind.
Everly, August, and Liam have seamlessly transitioned into their new roles at Townstead International. They have weekly calls with Harrison to touch base but handle the daily operations.
I’ve been busy onboarding several new hires for the Stafford Holdings London branch, and I finally gave Marcus the go-ahead to decorate my office. When Everly visited me at lunch last week, she was pleasantly surprised to find the place fully furnished. Her favorite decoration was the photo of us in the pink Cadillac from our wedding night in Vegas, set in a vintage gold frame.
With Fallon in the process of moving to New York, Everly decided to enroll us in a couple’s cooking class. However, after mixing up baking soda and baking powder when learning to make cookies and burning a lasagna in the third session—causing an evacuation of the entire building—we cut our losses. Instead, most evenings, I pick her up from work, and we grab a bite to eat on the way home.
I like the simplicity of our daily routine and am grateful for every moment spent with the woman I love.
However, tonight is the exception.
We’re in Aspen Grove to celebrate our union. Everly and I agreed a vow renewal made the most sense, considering we’re already legally married. We wanted to keep it simple, surrounded by the people we love. Thankfully we were able to convince my mom and Presley to go along with our plans for a small affair.
The sun dips below the horizon, casting a warm glow on my parents’ backyard that has been transformed into a whimsical, romantic setting. A canopy of fairy lights glows above several rows of chairs, and lanterns line the path leading to a floral arch made of daffodils and hyacinth.
My parents are sitting in the front row, where my mom is already dabbing her eyes with a tissue, and my dad has his arm wrapped around her shoulder. They are the perfect example of true love. After thirty-six years, they still look at each other with unconditional adoration, and I feel so lucky to call them my parents.
Jack and Presley are seated next to my parents. Presley adjusts Jack’s tie and when she’s finished, he kisses her forehead. She leans against his shoulder, looking up at me with a smile full of pride and love.
Dylan and Marlow are in the second row holding hands. Waffles and the puppies are in the playroom in my parents’ basement. Everly said she didn’t mind if they were here, but I didn’t want to chance them causing a mess. I wanted tonight to be perfect.
August and Liam are in the back row. Their love and support for Everly is the one silver lining in all she went through with Richard.
Despite the tension in their relationship, Everly extended an invitation to her mom. However, shortly after she replied with her regrets. She found out Mark was married with a family, and moved on to a dentist she met online, and they’re traveling Asia together.
Everly was relieved she didn’t have to worry about her mom on her special day. For now, she’s content with minimal contact, but if she ever does decide she wants her mom more involved in her life, I’ll support her.
I’m fidgeting with my bracelet when Harrison leans over to whisper in my ear. “Are you okay?” It was fitting to have him officiate our vow renewal ceremony since he was a key piece in bringing us together.
I grin. “I’ve never been better.”
“Good, because here they come,” he says, nodding toward the house.
Lola comes down the aisle first, dressed in a pink tutu dress that swishes with each step. She grins as she tosses handfuls of daffodil petals from her basket.
Everly and I decided against having a wedding party since we’re only exchanging vows, but we couldn’t tell Lola no when she asked to be our flower girl.
She waves at me with a big grin on her face, and I give her a thumbs up. When she gets to the end of the aisle she hands her basket to my mom before going to sit with Dylan and Marlow.
When I glance up, I’m left speechless when I see Everly and Theo walk toward us, her hand resting on his arm.
She’s wearing a cream silk slip dress paired with a pair of open-toed heels. Her hair is loosely gathered into a bun with a few tendrils left out to frame her face.
She’s perfect.
It’s as if time stands still, and everything around us fades away—Everly’s presence is all-consuming. She has captured my heart and soul, and they’re hers to keep.
As they approach the front row, my patience dissolves, and I stride forward, closing the distance between us.
“I’ll take it from here,” I tell Theo.
He chuckles at my impatience before leaning over to kiss Everly on the cheek. “Take good care of her.”
“I will, brother .” I wink.
My attention is back on my bride as I guide her to the floral arch.
“You sure you want to do this, wifey?” I whisper in her ear.
“This is just a formality, hubby. You’re already mine,” she sasses.
“Yes, I am.”
Once we’re in front of Harrison, he addresses our families. “Thank you for coming to celebrate Cash and Everly. They’ve each prepared vows and would like to share them with you now,” he says.
Everly’s eyes grow wide when I pull out a napkin from Willow Creek Café with my vows written on the back.
“I love you, Everly Stafford,” I start with a smile. “Since we were kids, I’ve dreamed of making you mine, and now it’s finally a reality. The last few months together have been the best of my life. You’re my home. Every day spent together will be filled with learning, laughter, and love. I promise to cherish and protect you always, to support you in all your endeavors, and to love you unconditionally.” I gently wipe away a tear trickling down Everly’s cheek.
She looks at Harrison, who takes an envelope from his suit pocket and gives it to her.
“Thanks for holding onto this for me,” she says.
“Sure thing,” He replies with a smile.
A grin spreads across my face when Everly opens the envelope and takes out a napkin from Willow Creek Café with her wedding vows written on it.
“There’s no one else I’d rather spend the rest of my life with. You’re my safe haven. The one person who braves every morning with me before I’ve had my daily caffeine fix, and who also supports my shoe addiction.” She reaches out to take my hand. “I pledge to be your partner in all things, and to be your unwavering support during your highs and lows. I love you, Stafford.”
I tilt her chin so she’s looking at me. “I love you so much, Ev, more than I’ll ever be able to put into words.”
After the vow renewal ceremony, we mingled with our family while waiting for dinner to be ready. Theo took charge of coordinating the catering and flew Fallon in, only trusting her to handle the food for Everly’s special day.
Everly is inside changing into something more comfortable, and I’m with Harrison on the back deck, enjoying a plate full of appetizers while waiting for the main course.
“Have you met Fallon yet?” I ask.
He shakes his head. “No, but I’d like to. My secretary interviewed her last week, and says she’ll be a good fit as my private chef.”
“That’s great news.”
Fallon steps out of my parents’ house carrying a charcuterie board, overflowing with artisan cheeses, cured meats, fresh fruits, and crackers. When she looks our way, I wave her over.
Harrison has his phone out and is busy typing when she approaches.
“Is everything okay?” she asks.
“Yeah, the food is fantastic. You really outdid yourself.”
“Thank you.”
“I wanted to officially introduce you to my brother, Harrison.”
He looks up when he hears his name, and his mouth turns into a thin line when he sees Fallon. “It’s you,” he states coldly.
Fallon’s eyes narrow, a smirk playing on her lips. “Cash, you forgot to mention your brother’s charming ego.”
Harrison scoffs. “Is sarcasm part of our standard approach with all of your potential clients? No wonder you had to move to another continent to start your new business.”
My eyes widen in surprise. Despite his serious demeanor, he isn’t usually this cutting or openly critical of anyone.
“At least I’m not the one suffering from a case of superiority complex,” she quips.
My eyes dart between them, feeling the tension thick in the air. I’m confused since Harrison said he hadn’t been introduced to Fallon yet.
“I take it you two have met before?”
“Yes,” they say in unison, their heated stares remaining locked on each other.
Fallon breaks the silence first, clearing her throat. “Tell your assistant thank you for the interview, but you’ll have to find another private chef, Mr. Stafford . I don’t work for boorish narcissists,” she states flatly. “Now, if you’ll excuse me, I have to get back to work.” She marches across the deck, her hands clenched at her side.
“What the hell was that?” I ask Harrison.
“Nothing,” he mutters.
I raise a brow. “That was definitely something.”
“It’s nothing for you to worry about. You heard her. She doesn’t want to work for me, so case closed.”
“Uh, Harrison. I’m not so sure you’ll have a choice in the matter.”
He furrows his brow. “Why not?”
I nod toward the back door where our mom has cornered Fallon, shooting glances our way every few seconds with a mischievous smile on her face. “Because I think Mom is already scheming how to get you two down the aisle next,” I taunt.
He rubs his temples. “Jesus Christ, she’s relentless,” he mutters. “She’s wasting her time. Even if Fallon was the last woman on earth, I’d never date her, let alone marry her.”
“Let’s dial down the hostility, shall we? How did you two meet?”
Before he can respond, his phone rings.
“This is Harrison,” he answers coldly. “Already? Fuck, you’re serious.” He pauses, running his hand through his hair. “Yeah, yeah, I know. My brothers and I will take care of it.”
He abruptly ends the call and turns to face me. “That was Dawson. He’s calling in his first favor.”
Oh, this is just great. For all I know, he’s asking for help to bury a body or something equally as terrifying.
I shrug. “Everly and I leave for a month-long honeymoon in the morning. So, you and Dylan will have to handle this one on your own.”
“You’re the reason we owe him in the first place,” Harrison mutters.
I smirk. “You were the one who set me and Everly up, so technically, this is your fault.”
“Fine, I’ll handle this one, but you’re helping with the second favor.”
“Yeah, sure.”
For the next month, my sole focus is lounging on a beach with my wife and indulging her every whim.
Want to see what happens during Cash & Everly’s honeymoon when they get a surprise that will turn their lives upside down for the better?