Epilogue 6 Months Later
MARI
“If one more person asks me how it feels to be a ‘power couple,’ I’m going to stab them with this fancy appetizer fork.”
Hudson glanced down at the miniature utensil in my hand. “That’s actually a cocktail pick, not a fork.”
“Even better. More stabby.” I smiled sweetly at a passing photographer, who immediately raised her camera.
I maintained the smile until she’d moved on, then promptly returned to my murder plotting.
“Seriously, who invented these stupid things? It’s like eating a meal through a pinhole while being slowly starved to death at your own party. ”
“Most people don’t attend their own launch party to eat, sweetheart.” Hudson’s hand settled at the small of my back. “They come to network, to celebrate—”
“To take selfies with the fancy ice sculpture that cost more than my first car,” I finished, nodding toward the elaborate frozen masterpiece in the center of the room—a crystalline tablet displaying our app logo.
“By the way, why does an app need an ice sculpture? Won’t it, you know, melt?
Like our funding if we keep spending it on frozen water? ”
Hudson’s laugh still sent a little thrill through me even after six months together.
“The ice sculpture was Eleanor Trolio’s contribution.
Apparently, Modern Wedding doesn’t know how to celebrate without at least one temporarily frozen object.
And I think she still hopes you’ll take a job with them. ”
“Not happening.” I sniffed the air dramatically. “Do you smell that? It’s the distinct aroma of our investor dollars evaporating along with that ice.”
“I think that’s actually the truffle oil from the hors d’oeuvres.” He pressed a quick kiss to my temple. “Try to enjoy it. Tonight is about celebrating everything you’ve accomplished.”
“I’d enjoy it more with actual food. Preferably something that doesn’t require electron microscopy to see.” I snagged another passing appetizer anyway, popping it into my mouth. “Though I will admit, the view is spectacular.”
The rooftop venue overlooked Manhattan’s skyline, the city lights creating a glittering backdrop for our app launch celebration.
The spring evening was perfect. Warm enough to be comfortable, cool enough that my carefully applied makeup wasn’t melting down my face.
Even I had to admit it was a magical setting, though I’d rather eat my cocktail pick than say so out loud.
“Speak of the devil,” I murmured as Eleanor Trolio herself glided toward us.
“Mari! Hudson! The party is absolutely magnificent.” She air-kissed both my cheeks, a gesture I’d still not mastered the art of reciprocating without accidentally head-butting someone.
I’d decided a long time ago that it was better to stay still or risk either a concussion or a very awkward kiss on the lips.
“And your app. Darling, it’s simply perfect. ”
“Thank you for your support, Eleanor,” Hudson said smoothly. “We couldn’t have done this without Modern Wedding’s backing.”
I resisted the urge to roll my eyes. Six months, and he still occasionally slipped into Professional Charmer mode. Though now I found it more amusing than annoying. Progress.
“Mari deserves all the credit,” Hudson continued.
“Of course. Her vision, her innovation. I’m only sorry we didn’t recognize it sooner.”
“Well, better late than never,” I replied, raising my champagne glass. “Though if you really want to make it up to me, you could introduce some sliders to that appetizer tray. I’m dying here.”
Eleanor laughed. “I’ll see what I can do. In the meantime, you two should circulate. Everyone wants to congratulate the industry’s favorite redemption story.”
As she drifted away, Hudson leaned down to whisper in my ear. “You’re impossible.”
“And yet, you’re still here.” I grinned up at him. “What does that say about your judgment?”
“That it left through the same drain I flushed my career down.” He pressed another quick kiss to my temple, lingering just long enough to make my pulse quicken. “Come on, let’s make the rounds before you start gnawing on the ice sculpture.”
We moved through the crowded rooftop venue, stopping every few feet for congratulations, questions about the app, and the occasional thinly veiled inquiry about our personal relationship.
The champagne flowed freely, the music provided perfect background ambiance, and despite my complaints about the microscopic food portions, even I had to admit the event was a stunning success.
I was in the middle of explaining the app’s custom template feature to a bridal magazine editor when a familiar voice cut through the crowd.
“There’s my absolute queen!”
I turned to see Devonna pushing through the crowd, her curves beautifully showcased in a form-fitting purple dress that complemented her deep brown skin perfectly.
Behind her trailed a man I didn’t recognize—tall and lean with short curly blonde hair and the kind of smile that screamed, “I could sell you a bridge in Brooklyn and you’d thank me for the opportunity. ”
“Devonna!” I exclaimed, accepting her enthusiastic hug. “You made it! And you brought...”
“Miles,” she supplied, pulling the man forward. “Miles Houston. My... fiancé.”
The slight hesitation before “fiancé” was so subtle I almost missed it. Almost.
“Fiancé?” I repeated, eyebrows shooting up. “That’s... new. And fast. Didn’t you just reconnect last month?”
“When you know, you know,” Miles said smoothly, extending his hand to Hudson. The sleeve of his expensive suit rode up enough to show the edge of what was likely a sleeve of tattoos. “Miles Houston. I’ve heard a lot about you, man. The app looks amazing.”
“Hudson Jones,” Hudson replied, shaking Miles’s hand. He’d officially changed his last name five months ago, choosing something simple. “Nice to meet you. And congratulations on your engagement.”
“Thanks.” Miles glanced at Devonna. “Don’t know what I’d do without my little lady.”
“Right,” Devonna stiffened when he put an arm around her shoulder. “Anyways, lovely party. Good to see you both.”
My bullshit detector, which was finely honed by years of dealing with bridezillas and their “completely reasonable” demands, was now blaring at full volume.
“Uh-huh.” I narrowed my eyes at my friend, who responded with her most innocent smile. “Well, we’ll definitely need to get together soon to hear all about this whirlwind romance.”
“Absolutely,” Miles agreed, his grin just a touch too wide to be entirely sincere. “It’s quite a story. Involves a case of a jilted daughter, a minor debt, and a very angry peacock.”
Hudson blinked. “A peacock?”
“He’s joking,” Devonna said quickly, elbowing Miles in the ribs with more force than seemed necessary. “Isn’t he hilarious? Always making up wild stories. Anyway, we should circulate. Congratulations again on the app launch!”
As she dragged Miles away by the arm, Devonna leaned in close to my ear and whispered, “I need to talk to you. Soon. About this... engagement.”
Before I could respond, she disappeared into the crowd, leaving me staring after them with narrowed eyes.
“That was...”
“Suspicious as hell,” I finished for Hudson. “She’s hiding something. And what’s with the blonde Ken doll? Since when does Devonna go for guys who look like they sell questionable timeshares in their spare time?”
“He seems—”
“Like a walking red flag in a possibly stolen Armani suit? Yeah, I noticed.” I sipped my champagne. “Ten bucks says he’s either in witness protection or running from debt collectors.”
“Or maybe they’re just private about their relationship,” Hudson suggested, ever the obnoxious voice of reason.
“I mean, she is, but still. I call bullshit.” I shook my head. “Something’s definitely up with those two. And I’m going to find out what it is.”
“Well, whatever it is, it can wait until after our launch party.” Hudson steered me toward another group of guests. “Right now, we have your success to celebrate.”
Despite my curiosity about Devonna’s mysterious “engagement,” the next hour passed in a blur of introductions, congratulations, and demonstrations of the app’s features.
Industry leaders praised the intuitive design, tech investors expressed interest in our next development phase, and wedding professionals raved about how the platform would revolutionize their workflow.
Our platform. Our success. It still felt surreal, seeing my idea brought to life, with my name prominently featured as the creator. Even more surreal was doing it all with Hudson by my side. Not as rivals, not as reluctant partners, but as a team. A real team.
“Mari! Hudson!”
I turned to see Lia and Manny Kussikov-Martin making their fashionably late entrance.
“There they are!” Lia exclaimed, air-kissing both my cheeks. Again, I stayed utterly still. “The wedding industry’s greatest love story! I take full credit, by the way. If Manny and I hadn’t hired you both for our wedding, none of this would have happened.”
“She’s been saying that to everyone who’ll listen,” Manny added with an affectionate eye roll. “According to my wife, we’re directly responsible for at least three major industry romances, a tech innovation, and possibly world peace.”
“Just the first two,” Lia corrected, linking her arm through his. “I’m still working on world peace. Give me time.”
I laughed, genuinely happy to see them. Despite the drama their wedding had unleashed, I couldn’t deny they were a perfect couple—and technically, Lia wasn’t entirely wrong about her role in bringing Hudson and me together.
“The app looks amazing,” Manny said, gesturing to one of the demo stations where guests were exploring the interface. “Exactly what the industry needed.”
“Oh look, there’s the producer for that show you were talking about,” Lia said, clasping Manny’s arm. “Let’s go talk to him.”
“We’ll see you two later.” Manny shook Hudson’s hand and nodded to me.