Epilogue
MONTHS LATER…
“Who is Auntie Gigi’s baby? Who? Is it you?” Gigi grinned at Daisy in Laurene’s arms, and the baby squealed, her little hands reaching for Gigi’s face as though mischief recognized mischief.
It was our tradition, brunch at Café L’Amour out on the patio, and our first in a long time.
“Can I get another martini?” I asked the waiter.
“You? Drinking something other than cappuccinos?” Laurene looked over at me, adjusting her grip on Daisy.
“Damn near had a heart attack,” Gigi muttered. “Who would have thought? Married life changed her dramatically.”
It had.
Miles and I finished renovating Mrs. Fontaine’s property before my official sabbatical from King Developments, just a little bit ahead of schedule and under budget. It was a miracle I couldn’t explain.
It felt good to be able to shove it back in Mama’s face, even if she hadn’t fully wanted to be proud of me.
All evidence from Jenese had been burned in the fire.
And Dante kept his word—nothing came out of it.
No one came looking for Jenese or Victor.
Not to speak ill of the dead, but I was glad to be rid of her.
Dante was able to give us some insights into the schemes Victor and Jenese had been running all across the country.
The Harrington estate, if they sold it, would have continued to fund their lifestyle.
I didn’t know what to do with it; Erik transferred the property into my name and out of King Developments.
I think when I was ready to get back to work, it could be a challenge.
Only months into my sabbatical, I didn't want to return to work. Miles was in the midst of opening his own real estate company, and I loved seeing him talk passionately about it. Even when he suggested the unexpected.
“Why don’t we start a company? Together?”
It was a little scary to think, especially since we’d both only worked for our family’s companies all our lives.
To have a company of our own? Building something with Miles that was all mine would be a different kind of fulfillment.
“I can’t have a martini?” I asked Gigi.
“No. You are routine and rhythm, and if you don’t stick to that, the world is liable to combust.”
Noelle laughed behind her champagne flute filled with mimosa. “Gigi, stop being dramatic. This is a new Serena. We have to get used to it.”
It was a new me. I’d become hyperfocused on trying hobbies . Apparently, there was a lot you could do when you weren’t working twelve-hour days.
I’d tried hiking, which wasn’t for me. I didn’t have the patience for crochet. I attempted bedazzling at the request of Gigi. My verdict on video games was no to the gore but yes to the cozy farming.
All of it was meaningless, which was hard for me to grasp, but it felt good to do something and not have life-or-death stakes.
“I can’t handle it,” Gigi said, shaking her head. Walter in her purse next to her barked. “Who will I fight with now?”
“Nothing stays the same,” Laurene said, gently rocking Daisy. My niece’s eyes were wide open, taking in the world.
“Speaking of that, how’s it been?” I asked Laurene, nodding to the baby.
Our relationship had improved greatly. Laurene called more, even if it was about the most mundane stuff. Sometimes I went over to her house just to hang out. Even Gigi and Erik would come along, Daddy, too, when he was feeling up to it.
Only Mama hadn’t come.
I hadn’t reached out like I said. I got a call from her once, but no phone call since. I wasn’t holding my breath.
“Daisy doesn’t want to sleep through the night and keeps Mommy and Daddy up, hmm? You like that,” Laurene cooed, tickling Daisy’s chubby cheek. Daisy cracked up laughing, gums on full display, little fists waving in triumph.
“Well, it’s her world, you just livin’ in it. You better give her whatever she want,” Gigi said, matter-of-fact, leaning back with a smirk. “Or face Auntie Gigi’s wrath!”
I could already see it—Daisy and Gigi, hell on wheels, the minute Daisy learned how to talk and walk.
“You’re the reason she’s spoiled,” I told Gigi, shaking my head.
“Ain’t no shame in my game.” Gigi shot me a grin and reached into her oversized purse, digging with purpose. “I’m not one to gossip, but did y’all hear what happen between Mama and Audrey?”
I glanced at Laurene, who also looked curious. Noelle was the first to lean in.
“What happened?”
Gigi smacked her lips. “Well, I went over there ’cause I was gonna ask Daddy for money. But when I got there, I saw Audrey’s car outside. Which is weird. When was the last time Mama talked to Audrey?—”
I snapped my fingers. “Get to the point, G.”
“Don’t rush me.” Gigi rolled her eyes at me. “They were out on the patio, just the two of them. Talking. I may have even heard a laugh. When does Mama laugh?”
I didn’t tell them what Daddy told me about getting them together. I guess he was successful.
“That’s good, right?” Laurene asked.
“Your mom talking to people and not threatening them is a good thing,” Noelle agreed.
Gigi shook her head. “I got the hell up outta there. I’ll beg for money later.”
Then, with a dramatic flourish, she pulled out a thick stack of papers bound with a clip and slapped them onto the table, right next to the half-eaten croissants and jam. Plates rattled, and Laurene blinked in surprise.
“I meant what I said,” Gigi declared proudly, tapping the stack. “Boutique lease, contracts, startup costs—all that. I’m doin’ this, y’all. For real.”
Laurene’s mouth parted in surprise. Noelle’s eyes widened. I pursed my lips to stop any questionable remarks from leaving my mouth.
“Hello? Are y’all happy for me?” Gigi looked between the three of us.
“That’s big, Gigi,” Laurene said slowly, making eye contact with me. “I’m proud of you.”
“Awesome, it’s gonna be great,” Noelle said with a fake enthusiasm.
Gigi tilted her chin, eyes gleaming with a mix of excitement and defiance. “Damn right you proud. Y’all gon’ be my first customers too, so don’t play.”
I cleared my throat. “Well, let’s just hope you actually open the doors before you throw the launch party, G.”
Gigi’s face snapped toward me, eyes narrowing. “Why you always gotta be like that, Serena?”
“I’m just saying.” I shrugged, unapologetic. “It’s a big deal. A lot of people say they gonna do something. Not everybody follows through.”
For a second, it was quiet. Laurene’s lips pressed together like she wanted to smooth things over, and Noelle picked at the corner of her napkin, eyes darting between us.
“You’re the first person I want eatin’ shit when I launch this and it becomes successful. Bigger than Baby Phat! I’ll prove you wrong.”
I nodded. “For your sake, I hope you do.”
Laurene jumped in quickly, steering the conversation before it could tip over. “So, Noelle, how’s the search going? For your biological parents?”
Noelle’s smile thinned. “Oh. Uh, not much to report, honestly,” she said softly. “I’ve hit some dead ends. Still waiting on some records. It’s…a process.”
Gigi reached across the table, giving her hand a quick squeeze. “Girl, you gon’ find them. You’re stubborn like that.”
Noelle let out a faint laugh. “Yeah, maybe.”
And just like that, the air softened again. I decided to share my news.
“Miles and I are going to have a new addition soon?—”
Laurene’s jaw dropped. Noelle nearly choked on her mimosa.
“Oh my God, you’re pregnant?” Gigi practically shrieked, her eyes going wide. “That poor child. But yay, I get another niece or nephew to spoil.”
“Excuse me?” I glared at Gigi. “But relax. I’m not pregnant.”
“Thank God!” Gigi threw her hands up, falling dramatically back into her chair.
“We’re adopting a kitten.”
I don’t know if I liked cats. But I liked Doughboy. Now, it’d gotten to a point where he’d follow me around the house. I made sure he had his food. Took him to the groomers. It was basically like having a human child.
Even when I tried to keep my distance and my hate up for him, the damn cat wouldn’t let me go. I had noticed he seemed really depressed whenever Miles and I left the house, and we had a trip planned—I didn’t want him all alone.
I guess I understood how Gigi felt about Walter.
For a beat, the table was silent. Then Laurene and Noelle burst into laughter, and Gigi groaned, shaking her head.
“ A cat? You had me thinkin’ you was about to drop somethin’ serious!” Gigi huffed, crossing her arms, but the smile tugging at her lips gave her away. “But you ? With a pet? The ultimate pet hater?”
“Hey, it is serious,” I shot back. “Doughboy needs a little sister.”
“I love this for you, honestly,” Laurene said. “Somehow…it fits.”
Noelle smiled softly. “Send me pictures when you bring her home.”
“Actually…”
They all followed my gaze to find Miles coming through the door, a tiny kitten tucked against his chest in the cutest little harness you’ve ever seen.
Ew, did I say cute?
“Oh my God!” Laurene gasped, clutching Daisy a little tighter, frightening the baby that had been reaching for her croissant.
But Miles? He only had eyes for me. His grin was lazy, his eyes warm as he strode across the café, the kitten mewing softly in his arms. Without missing a beat, he bent down and pressed a kiss to my lips before sliding into the seat next to me.
“She doing okay?” I murmured, reaching out to scratch the kitten’s tiny head.
When I saw her at the shelter, I knew we had to adopt her.
“Did great in the car,” Miles said, settling the kitten into my lap. “Didn’t cry once.”
“She’s already better behaved than Gigi,” I teased.
“Rude!” Gigi cried, but she was too busy cooing over the kitten to put much fire into it.
“We’re trying to harness train her,” I explained as the girls leaned in, practically melting over the little ball of fluff. “So we can go places with her and Doughboy.”
“And what’s her name?” Noelle asked, eyes shining.
I looked down at the tiny gray tabby blinking up at us, then back at the table. “Her name’s Elvira, Mistress of the Night . Miles wanted to call her that. I just wanted Kitty.” I shrugged.
“You can’t call a cat Kitty . It’s basic .” Miles gave me a look of disgust as he snuggled the cat closer.
And just like that, as Miles draped his arm over the back of my chair and the kitten purred in my lap, it hit me. This was our little family.
“Where is Erik? Didn’t you invite him, Lu?” Noelle asked.
She shrugged. “He said work.”
Noelle’s smile faltered, the corners of her mouth tightening just a little. She glanced down at her phone, then abruptly stood, smoothing her dress. “I’m just gonna…bring him something. You know, surprise him.”
“Girl, go ahead and chase after your man,” Gigi teased with a grin, shaking her head as Noelle waved them off and slipped away before anyone could comment further. “Tell him to give me money for my boutique. I know he got the coins!”
And then, right on cue, Daisy let out an impressive burp, followed by a dribble of spit-up right down Laurene’s shoulder.
“Oh, you would , baby girl.” Laurene sighed with a wry smile, lifting Daisy carefully. “I’m gonna take her inside and clean this up.”
“I’ll help,” Gigi offered, already scooping up napkins and linking an arm through Laurene’s as they disappeared inside the café to the restrooms.
Which left just me, Miles, and Elvira at the table.
Dante kept his word, nothing came back to us, but sometimes I got worried about what was to come.
Miles shifted closer, his knee brushing mine, his arm draped lazily over the back of my chair. “Look at us,” he murmured.
I let out a laugh, shaking my head. “Who would’ve thought?”
His thumb brushed along the edge of my jaw, tilting my face toward his. His gaze softened, the usual mischief giving way to something tender, something that still caught me off guard. “I love you, Sunny.”
“I love you too.”
He leaned in, pressing his forehead gently to mine. “Can’t get rid of me.”
“Don’t want to.”
That’s when I felt a buzz from my phone, and I leaned back to read the text.
Serena… When you have a moment, let’s talk. About everything. I owe it to you.
Mama.
A indescribable feeling filled my chest, and I slid my phone back into my pocket.
I closed my eyes, breathing him in, the scent of sunshine and cologne, the quiet steadying beat of his presence.
“Don’t want to.”
I laughed, a real, full laugh, and felt his lips curve against mine as he kissed me—slow, certain, like we had all the time in the world.