Epilogue
Clara
I love weddings.
Can’t wait for mine.
I’m getting married. It’s so weird.
Casey, on my other side, nudges me. “Show me again. I’m dying with happiness.”
I proudly jut out my left hand, letting her see the massive diamond on my finger. Eric may have hit rock bottom with his career, but it didn’t mean he was poor. Apparently, all he did was sock away money for a rainy day.
“It’s gorgeous,” Casey says, grinning at me. “He adores you. You should see how he looks at you when you’re not paying attention.”
My chest warms and I search for the man in question.
He’s schmoozing with a couple of rich-looking dudes.
Even though he left the finance world for the food truck business, he’s not shy about talking to them.
His eyes dart my way and he flashes me a brilliant grin.
The two guys with him raise their glasses.
The wedding is quaint. Less than a hundred people are in attendance. However, it’s the most beautiful wedding I’ve ever been invited to.
“Here, here,” a voice booms over a speaker. “As one of Derek’s best friends, I’d like to propose a toast.”
Reid cleans up well and looks good in his suit.
Derek has his arm slung over his new husband Riko’s shoulders, beaming with happiness as he listens to Reid wish them good luck and all the love in the world.
Casey’s ex used to be a grumpy ass, but he’s a new man now. Amazing how love does that to a person.
The best man, Riko’s best friend, Rhett, also speaks. As he tells funny stories of their childhood, I glance back over at Eric. He watches me intently. God, he’s so handsome. And happy. All he had to do was give in and do what he wanted for us to see this side of him.
After Rhett speaks, the maid of honor, our neighbor, Linda, gets up to speak.
She cries when she says Riko is like a brother to her and an uncle to her kids.
Topher was the perfect ring bearer and Eloise took her flower girl job so seriously.
Those kids are normally terrors, but for Riko and Derek’s wedding, they were angels.
My phone buzzes in my purse. I pull it out and peek at who’s texting me, secretly hoping it’s Eric with something filthy.
It’s actually James responding to my text from earlier when I sent him pictures of the wedding ceremony.
He’s turned out to be such a great friend to both of us, and comes over a couple of times a week to eat dinner or just hang out.
James: Who’s the stunning redhead?
I frown and have to look back through the pictures to see who he’s talking about. Oh. Duh. Suppressing a giggle, I text him back.
Me: That’s Linda. My neighbor. You think she’s hot?????
James: Your neighbor! Is she single?
Me: Yup. The two kids in the pictures are hers.
I figure it’s best to let him know what he’s pursuing on the off-chance kids aren’t his thing.
James: Are we friends, Clara? How do you have a hot, single neighbor and not mention it to your hot, single childhood bestie?
Me: You’re right. I suck. I’ll make it right.
James: All you have to do is make the introduction. That woman is going to be my wife.
This time, I burst out laughing, but it’s perfect timing because everyone else is laughing too. Derek’s dad is talking about the wedding cakes again. Apparently, there was drama between Riko and Derek’s moms. It’s why they have two wedding cakes. Ridiculous and over the top, but also funny as hell.
Me: You’ve been spending too much time with Eric. His caveman ick is splashing over onto you.
James: Grunt. Wife. Mine.
Me: Send me a selfie. Make it look good.
Seconds later, he sends me a picture. He’s trying to look broody, but I see straight through it. James is kind of a nerd. But he’s a good guy and deserves a good woman. Linda has done her best with her kids. They might be a perfect match. I know I’ll have my fingers crossed.
Once the toasts are over and the cakes have been cut, I leave Casey and Brayden to find Linda. Eric’s gaze tracks me and I shiver.
“Hey, girl,” I say, sidling up to Linda. “You drunk yet?”
She snorts out a laugh. “Toasty but good. Reid and Emma are going to drive us home, though. Don’t worry.”
“You’re a good mom. I’m not worried.”
Her eyes fill with tears and she jerks me to her for a hug. “Thank you. I don’t hear that enough and I needed that.”
Emotion clogs my throat. I feel like a witch for not trying to get to know her better. That ends today. Especially if we’re going to see a lot more of her soon.
“So,” I say, beaming at her. “You have a secret admirer.”
She laughs and waves me off. “Oh, stop.”
I pull up my phone and show her a picture of James. “Seriously. He thinks you’re hot and wants me to introduce the two of you. James is a childhood friend of mine.”
“Oh,” she says tugging my phone closer. “That man is fine. Are you sure he was talking about me?”
“You’re literally the only cute redhead here besides your two spawns.”
She smirks. “Give him my number. Don’t let him get away.”
“He’s not going anywhere,” I assure her with a laugh. “He said you’re going to be his wife.”
Her eyes widen and she gapes at me. “That’s so hot.”
“I mean, I guess in a creeper kind of way.”
“Hey, that’s my move,” a deep voice says before I’m enveloped in a tight hug from behind. “I can’t believe he’s stealing all my tricks. What a douchebag.”
“Be nice to my husband,” Linda teases.
Riko chooses this moment and kisses Linda noisily on the cheek. “Did I hear husband? Speaking of husbands, mine is hot as fuck. I can’t wait to make this marriage official later. Will he like my jeweled butt plug?”
Oh my God. He’s so loud. Half the reception hall glances our way.
“Stop,” I hiss and shake my head. “Don’t you have any other volume besides max?”
“Nope.” He grins at me.
Linda snatches my phone and shows Riko James’s picture. “Start planning the wedding. I want it just like yours. This was perfect.”
Riko chuckles. “That guy is cute. Wait. You’re serious?”
“Total daddy material,” Linda says, gushing. “Am I right?”
“I want to see,” Eloise exclaims, showing up out of nowhere. “Who’s that guy?”
“Your new daddy,” Riko blurts out.
“Oh shit,” Eric rumbles against my ear. “You really made a mess of this one.”
“They’re just kidding,” I hiss, really hoping they are.
I pluck my phone from Eloise’s grip and then hurry away from them. Linda and Riko are already discussing cake flavors. They’re ridiculous.
“Now he’s texting me,” Eric says as he tugs on my hand, guiding me back over to our table. “Oh shit.”
I peer over at his phone and burst out laughing.
James: Give me Linda’s number, man. If another guy finds out she’s single, they’re going to snatch her up. I can’t let that happen. I mean LOOK AT HER.
He sends a picture. The same one I sent him, but it’s cropped to just her smiling face.
“Are we that gross and annoying?” I ask with a giggle.
“I think we’re worse.” He replies that he’s on it and then tucks away his phone. “Want to dance, sass?”
I allow Eric to take me to the dance floor where the DJ begins playing the first song of the night. He wraps me up in his arms and we stay that way until the night is over.
Two months later…
I wake to the sound of buzzing. Groaning, I reach over and snatch up my phone. It’s a text from James. Squinting, I try to make out what’s happening in the picture. Eloise and James are showing a mouthful of chewed food. Linda is covering her eyes and Topher is pretending to gag.
Why are they so weird?
Me: Disgusting. Send that shit to Eric, not me.
Me: Also, I’m glad you guys are having fun.
Bile creeps up my throat. Thanks, James. Ugh, not again. I bolt to the bathroom, barely making it to the toilet before I purge stomach acid. I’m hungry and sick all at once. This sucks.
A few seconds later, footsteps thud into the bathroom. Eric squats behind me and pulls back my hair.
“I got you some ginger ale and crackers. Can you try and get that down this morning?”
I shudder at the thought of eating or drinking anything, but I know it’ll help. It did yesterday and the day before that and the days before those.
“Let me brush my teeth first,” I murmur. “Ugh. Why didn’t Casey tell me I’d be deathly ill all the time?”
Eric chuckles as he helps me to my feet. He then disappears. I brush my teeth and shakily make my way over to our bed. He waits with the ginger ale can and some peanut butter crackers. Despite the roiling in my tummy, I devour them eagerly. After a few sips of the drink, I feel normal again.
“I made pancakes,” he says with a grin. “Is my little princess hungry?”
“We don’t know if it’s a boy or a girl yet.”
“I have a hunch it’s a girl. Ma agrees.”
I roll my eyes but can’t help but smile at him. It warms my heart how close he and Mom have gotten. Their food truck business is popular, especially downtown. I swear they make all their money from ravenous lawyers rushing too and from court. Eric loves what he does.
“I’m going to laugh when we have a boy,” I tell him. “Are you going to cry when you’re wrong?”
He grunts and scoops me into his arms. I let out a squeal that has Frosty yapping angrily at us. Our dog doesn’t like when Eric picks me up to carry me down the stairs. Frosty is a grumpy old man but we love him anyway.
“I can walk, you know.” I kiss his scruffy cheek. This new beard thing he has going on is hot.
“You’re sick. Carrying my baby is rough on your body. Let me take care of you, sass.”
He always says heart melting stuff that makes me forgive him for getting me pregnant. Don’t get me wrong. I’m excited to have a baby with him, but I didn’t know I’d be so tired and sick all the time.
Again, where was Casey warning me off?
Once downstairs, he sets me on the counter. I watch my shirtless fiancé as he plates up breakfast for us. Frosty shows up and yips for something good to eat. Eric tosses a bite of bacon his way.
Warmth spreads from my head to my toes.
I’m happy. I didn’t know life could be this awesome.
“What time are you picking up Mom?” I ask as he feeds me a bite of bacon too.
“Not for an hour.” He kisses my nose. “What will you do while I’m working?”
Since it’s Saturday, hopefully nothing. “Probably go visit Casey and the baby. I need to practice.”
Eric snorts. “You’re going to do just fine.”
“How do you know?”
“Have you seen how you baby Frosty? He’s spoiled and loved beyond words. A baby—our baby—is going to really get the star treatment.”
Frosty yips in agreement. So cute.
Eric scoops him up and feeds him more bacon. “Isn’t that right, buddy? She’s going to be the best mommy ever, huh?” He kisses the dog until he squirms to be put back down.
“Come here,” I order.
Eric comes to stand between my legs and flashes me a dopey grin that makes my heart stutter. “Hey.”
“Hey.” I run my fingers through his hair and pull him to my lips. “Are you happy?”
He kisses me sweetly. “So fucking happy, sass.”
“Me too.” I nuzzle my nose against his. “I love you.”
“I love you more.”
Impossible.
I suppose we get to spend the rest of our lives proving to the other who loves who more.
What a wonderful life.
The End