Epilogue
LUNA
“You got your passport?”
“Yes, sir.” I pat the pocket on my backpack, where I zipped the stiff little booklet into this morning.
Charlie continues naming off items on my checklist, waiting for me to point out the place I packed each item. All the while, Leo watches us from the couch with a roly-poly pit bull sprawled over his lap.
“You all ever heard of being over-prepared?”
I suppress the urge to flip my brother off. He agreed to dog-sit while Charlie and I travel for two weeks. I can deal with a little snark.
“I’m not about to get stuck in a foreign country without the proper supplies.” My voice comes out with only the smallest bite.
“It’s not like you’re going to the moon. I think they sell underwear and toothpaste in Taiwan,” Leo taunts.
“But not passports.” I turn a glare on him.
Leo rolls his eyes and smirks at Charlie. “Think your marriage will survive the honeymoon?”
“You’re soooo funny.” My voice could crumble to sand; it’s so dry.
Two weeks ago, Charlie and I had our one-year anniversary. This trip is the honeymoon we never thought we’d take when the union was a farce. But now we’re going to the other side of the world.
And Leo is our mocking send-off party.
My twin lounging on my couch isn’t a strange thing anymore.
The sight is a common occurrence nowadays since he moved to Nashville shortly after our thirtieth birthday.
He needed to get away from the city he’d only ever been a criminal in, and I got him a job with my old boss, Treyvon.
Despite my worry about putting my reputation on the line for a guy who could blow everything up in my face, Leo didn’t flake.
Much as I hate to admit it, the two of us are a lot alike.
Other than the twin thing. For one, getting out of New Orleans and moving away from our toxic parents allowed us both to start fresh.
Of course, I didn’t have an arrest record behind my name, and I’m certain Leo’s relation to me is the only reason Treyvon took the risk.
Turns out, my brother has been kicking ass at the gym. He’s enrolled at an online college to get a degree in business. One night, we were hanging out, and after a few beers, Leo admitted he wanted to ask Treyvon about being a manager once he finished all his courses.
I’m trying not to get too hopeful, but it’s been eight months since he started, and nothing has changed.
Doesn’t hurt that he’s fallen in love with a beautiful lady.
The one currently sprawled across his lap.
“I’m going to give you so many treats when they’re gone,” he whispers loud enough for me to hear.
I scowl. “If you give her too many, she’ll puke. I’d better not come home to a house full of dog vomit.”
Leo shrugs with an evil grin as he continues to rub Pig’s belly.
“Instead you should worry about our overeating.” Charlie grins down at me as he sets aside the checklist.
The man has a point.
We finally decided on a couples activity—cooking classes. Charlie found a place where we could learn to prepare food from different cultures, including Taiwanese. He’s still not the best in the kitchen, but my husband makes a pretty amazing sous chef, following my orders exactly.
And now we’re letting our stomachs dictate our travel plans.
Our trip coincides with Taiwan’s annual beef noodle festival.
Apparently, the dish is a big deal over there.
Not only do they have a competition for the best recipe, but also entire celebrations around it. Just the thought has me salivating.
Still, I bet if I get to sample the top-ranked dish, it won’t hold a candle to my Wai Po’s. The recipe that was so good that my mother still made it for us from time to time, even as she purged every other indicator of her past from her life.
I haven’t seen Vivian since my birthday party. Maybe she and Leo are still in touch, but I get the sense they aren’t. Maybe I should be sad or disappointed the bridge remains a crumbled heap, but I try not to dwell on things that won’t change.
I’ve got my brothers, and they’re enough for me.
When I add Charlie to the equation, my life is pretty fucking great. And that’s not counting his parents, who are a bonus.
There was a time when I would have been satisfied if the people I loved were simply safe.
But now I know what it’s like to see them happy and to feel their love and support in return. Some days, I stare in the mirror and recite their names, just to convince myself I really have all of them and that they love me too. The idea is unreal.
“You ready?” The deep voice of my husband rumbles against my ear, giving me shivers of anticipation.
I nod.
“Get out of here. I want to raid your fridge.” Leo shoos us away, his eyes fixed on the TV.
Charlie shakes his head, grinning all the while because he seems to think my brother’s attitude is hilarious. He extends the handles of our rolling bags and drags them toward the door, stopping when he realizes I’m not right behind him.
“Did you forget something?” His thick brows curve up.
Charlie stands tall in the front hall of the house we share now, wearing a T-shirt with the logo of the guitar shop he now manages and looking hot as hell in the tight cotton.
But what looks even better on him is the thick titanium band around his left ring finger.
I bought the piece as an anniversary gift to replace the spur-of-the-moment one he had gotten himself on our wedding day.
I wanted my claim on him. Because Charlie Keller is mine.
“Nope.” I step between the bags, moving close enough to press my palm against his chest, directly over his heart. “I have everything I need.”