Chapter 34
Harmony
Three weeks later, Elias and I enter Frank’s Restaurant for Vicki’s birthday party.
He swears he’s healed enough that he barely feels the pain anymore, but when he turns or bends a certain way, I see the way his face pinches ever so slightly.
I didn’t push him on it though because he already delayed this party by a couple of weeks, and he was going stir-crazy.
We walk underneath a banner that reads, “Happy Birthday, Vicki!” in bright pink letters.
Magenta colored flowers twist up the post that holds the sign with matching balloons.
Almost every inch of the restaurant is covered in either the flowers or balloons with some random confetti thrown on the tables.
Workers wipe down the tables as we pass by. I wave, recognizing a few faces from my childhood, and some newer people who frequent Cutesy’s.
Kami spots us, and she beelines over. “You’re late.”
Elias rolls his eyes. “No, we’re twenty-five minutes early.”
“Well, I’ve been here for four hours.”
“I hired an event planner so that everything didn’t fall on you.” He motions to his shoulder where his bullet wound is mostly healed. “Since I couldn’t help.”
“You know I can’t just sit on the sidelines.” She taps a manicured finger on her cheek. “I haven’t seen the cake delivered yet. Can you go check on that for me?”
Elias sighs, but the relief on his face is palpable. “Absolutely.”
I turn to follow him, but Kami stops me. “Harmony, can you help me with something?”
Looking over at Elias, I spy a small smile plays on his lips, almost as if he’s laughing at me. I turn back to Kami and say, “Yes, of course.”
“I’ll see you two ladies in a little bit.” Elias marches toward the event planner. He stops for just a second to say, “And, Kami, don’t maim her.”
“I wouldn’t want to damage my pretty nails,” she says back in a sing-song voice.
The moment he’s out of hearing range, Kami jumps right to the point, “Are you leaving us again?”
My eyes practically bug out of my face. “What?”
She glances around and pulls me over to a small, dimly lit alcove. “He told me you wanted to go back to New York, but now you two are together …” She let her words fall off, but the meaning is clear. Are you going to leave and break my brother’s heart?
I’ve been planning on staying ever since the cemetery.
Even though those fuckers ruined my time with my mother, I finally resolved some of my negative feelings about my hometown.
Not to mention, I finally called around to a few therapists and found one who has an opening in two weeks.
I’ll always miss mom, but Granite Falls—and Elias—is home.
Wherever Elias is, that’s where I want to be.
“I’m staying.”
Before the words are fully out of my mouth, Kami pulls me in for a big hug. “Oh, thank God. I’ve wanted a sister for forever, and at one point, I thought it would be you. I’m so glad I was right.”
“Slow down there.” I laugh nervously. “I don’t even know if we’re exclusive.”
She winks at me. “Oh, trust me; you totally are. Next comes marriage and then,” she pauses for dramatic effect, “babies!”
Elias chooses that moment to come back over, saving me from having to respond. “Babies?” he questions, his brows in his hairline.
“Oh, nothing. Just some girl talk.” Kami prances off in the direction of the kitchen but says over her shoulder, “You two definitely need to talk though.”
“Do I even want to know what she said to you?”
I bite my lip. We’ve never had the “we’re together” talk—never mind babies. For the last few weeks, we’ve been together constantly, and I helped take care of him so he could recover properly. But he’s never once called me his girlfriend.
Before I can muster up the courage to answer, he says, “I’ve actually been wanting to talk to you.”
My heart thumps wildly against my rib cage. Did he hear more than he let on?
“Barb says she’ll buy the cafe for what I paid for it. Sure, there’s not any profit, but at least I won’t lose any money. She’s worked there longer than I have, and she deserves it.”
My jaw drops. “Why would you sell Cutesy’s?”
“Well, I’ve spoken with Sully, and he has offered to give me a permanent job in the city,” he says as if that’s all the explanation needed. “I know I retired from this career, but it will be worth it if I’ll have a job already set up.”
I flutter my eyelashes. None of his words make any sense. “Wait. Can you start over?”
He looks at me like I should already know the answer. “I’m moving there with you.” Elias steps in closer and nuzzles my nose. “I’ll call my aunt to make sure she’s okay. She’s already agreed that this is what’s best for me and that she’ll tell me if something happens to her health.”
I shake my head. “Don’t sell Cutesy’s, and call off your job with Sully because I want to stay here in Granite Falls with you.”
His eyes widen. “Really?”
“Yes but I spoke to my mother.”
He cocks his head in a cute, confused way.
“At the cemetery. Before those guys kidnapped me. I just felt more at peace after talking to her.” I pause, unsure how to tell him the next part. “And well, I made an appointment with a grief therapist. I think it will help a lot.”
“I’m so proud of you.” He pulls me to him and hugs me tightly. “I love you so much, Harmony. You’re one of the bravest people I know.”
“I love you, too, Elias,” I say into his chest, and I can’t stop the smile that overtakes my mouth.
***
The party is in full swing, and it’s so packed I can barely move an inch without bumping into someone. A soft beat intertwines with the voices in an almost hypnotic way. My heart swells as I take a look around. Almost the entire town showed up.
Serenity and Summer sit in front of me, and Elias is on my left. Sully shoves his way through the crowd and plops down in the seat on my right.
“This is one helluva party,” Sully practically screams over all the other voices.
“Well, Tía Vicki deserves it.” Elias shrugs as if this extravagant party means nothing. “Speaking of my aunt, have you seen her?”
Sully points toward the opposite side of the restaurant. “Last I saw, she was in the bar with some of her friends.”
Elias nods but doesn’t say anything else. A smile plays on his lips when his gaze finally lands on Vicki. I lean over so I can peer over at her. She’s talking to Barbara, and they both throw their heads back and laugh.
I chance a peek at Elias again. Heat radiates through my chest. I still can’t get over the fact that he was willing to sell Cutesy’s and move away from his family for me. I’d never let him do that though.
Loud cheering snatches my attention off of Elias.
Vicki walks through the restaurant, heading straight in our direction.
She has on a lavender “birthday girl” sash that matches her crown.
Sully adjusts next to me, and when I turn to look at him, his eyes are glued to Vicki’s dress like …
Well, I don’t even want to finish that thought.
Smothering a smile, I wonder how long he’s been into her.
Leaning over to Sully, I whisper, “Are you and Vicki a thing?”
He tears his gaze off her and looks at me. A faraway expression crosses his face. “No, of course not. I’ve experienced love once, and that’s enough for me. I just think she’s a gorgeous woman with a beautiful and generous soul.”
“There’s my sweet boy!” Vicki says as she approaches, pulling Sully’s and my attention back to her. Barb and Lucy stop right beside her with wine glasses in hand. Then she turns to me. “And hopefully my future daughter-in-law.”
My cheeks burn. I hope one day that I will officially be her daughter-in-law. “I’m so happy you’re having a good time, Vicki.”
“My kids are too good to me.” She beams like any proud parent. “But I’m happy you finally came back. It’s your turn to take care of him.”
Elias groans. “Seriously? I’m a grown man.”
“And I know you’ll both dote on each other.” Vicki looks around. “Is there a cake? I think I’m ready to turn fifty, but that can’t happen without sweets.”