Epilogue
Two Years Later, Living Happily Ever After
There was a big book signing event at HEA Books, the first of many stops for Parker Black and his uncle, Jerome Riddle. The
men were talking about the book they’d written together. The Playbook: How Men Can Win at Love, had hit the New York Times bestseller list its first week, and half of West Seattle, both male and female, had crowded into the store to get a signed
copy, leaving standing room only after Nola, Alice and Bettina hauled out as many chairs as they could get their hands on.
The launch party at spring training had been even more packed, with fans showing up to meet not only Parker and his famous
uncle, but also Alice, who had officially joined the team, doing a once-a-week guest spot on the show, sharing her thoughts
on everything from the best recipes for a Super Bowl party to her latest new favorite sports movie. And occasionally, she
offered advice when men called in to talk about their problems with their women.
She smiled proudly as Parker and his uncle talked.
Next to her was her mother who now sported a simple gold band on her left hand, courtesy of an intimate destination wedding in Hawaii the year before.
Scarlet and Mark were both present and Scarlet had already purchased a copy of the book as an early present for her husband.
The best present would be arriving in about three weeks, and they had the nursery ready for their baby girl.
All the book club ladies were present, and as the men concluded their talk and everyone applauded, Alice could hear Bettina
saying to Lina, “We really whipped him into shape, didn’t we.”
His mother, who was standing with them all, merely smiled.
“And now,” Parker said into his microphone, “we have one more thing we need to do before we eat those cookies Georgia made
for us.” He signaled to someone at the back of the room and Alice turned to see that Brittany from Flowers L’Amour had arrived,
carrying a bouquet of red roses mixed with maidenhair ferns and baby’s breath. “Alice, would you come here, please?” he said,
holding out his hand.
A murmur of voices followed her like a wave, making her face heat as she made her way to him.
He caught her hand. “I think most of you here know how Alice and I met. Like in one of those enemies-to-lovers romance novels.
Lucky for me, we found our own détente.”
And suddenly, there was Brittany, standing next to them, smiling and handing Alice the flowers. Her heart began to race and
tears swam into her eyes.
“I read that roses symbolize love,” he said to Alice. “I think this does, too, and I hope you’ll accept it.”
Then there he was, down on one knee, opening a ring box to show a diamond ring. The diamond was cut in the shape of a glittering
heart. “You already have my heart, but would you like another one? Will you marry me?”
Everyone burst into applause, and her mother and sister and Bettina took pictures with their phones as Alice gasped in amazement.
Then she nodded, and laughed and cried, “Yes, yes!”
“And see?” she heard Bettina say. “This is why everyone should read romance novels.”
Yes, they should.