Epilogue
September
What was better than the Friday afternoon before a three-day weekend? A Friday afternoon before a three-day weekend that included a birthday party with punch and cupcakes.
I raised my plastic cup to toast Gabby, our birthday girl. “May this be your best year yet.”
She clinked her cup against mine. “Hear, hear!” Gabby looked at the variety of cupcake flavors in wide-eyed wonder. “They all look so delicious. How will I pick one?”
“It’s your birthday,” I reminded her. “Why choose?”
“You are a genius. I’ll start with the chocolate.”
“Can’t go wrong there,” I said. “I think I’ll go with key lime.”
We finished our punch and ate our cupcakes while chatting about our Labor Day weekend plans.
Gabby came from an enormous family who would host endless barbecues and pool parties over the next three days.
My plans with Ray were much tamer in comparison, with only two barbecues planned—one with my family and one with the guys.
My sister and her husband were coming home for the holidays, bringing my nephew and niece, and I couldn’t wait for everyone to meet Ray.
He was an exceptional man, and I was the luckiest person in the world to call him mine.
He’d be heading out for a therapy session soon, and I wanted him to enjoy a cupcake before he left.
I wished Gabby a wonderful weekend and picked a fluffy pink strawberry cupcake for him.
I debated grabbing one for Vaughn too, but he’d vowed to cut back on refined sugar.
When I turned toward the door, I spotted Cammy and baby Amelia entering the room.
She visited frequently since both the staff and residents loved to see her and the baby.
Cammy’s face lit up when her gaze connected with mine, and I made a beeline for her and Amelia.
“Hey,” I said, giving them a one-armed hug so I didn’t drop Ray’s cupcake. “How are you?”
“The best I’ve ever been,” Cammy replied, and her megawatt smile proved it.
I stroked a finger over Amelia’s chubby arm. “And how’s this sweet angel?”
“She’s amazing.”
“Are you the Amazing Amelia?”
She smiled at me, and my heart swelled. “Oh my god. I just can’t with your cuteness. How do you ever put her down?”
“I don’t.” Cammy kissed the top of her daughter’s head and patted her bottom.
“Because she’s the prettiest little cutie ever,” I declared.
The baby giggled softly, and I nearly swooned on the spot.
“Looks like Millie is a big fan of yours.” Cammy smiled at me and said, “And I am too. Knowing you’re here with the residents has made it so much easier to enjoy time at home with my daughter.”
“Thank you. That’s one of the loveliest compliments I’ve ever received.”
“Well, you’ve earned it. The Silver Maple residents and staff absolutely adore you.”
Swallowing hard, I said. “I love them too.” I would miss them so much when my interim position ended in November.
Cammy smiled and smoothed her hand over Amelia’s red gingham romper. “I know you do, and that’s why I resigned from my position without guilt.”
“What?”
My pulse spiked with excitement, and I didn’t bother tempering it. Cammy’s resignation didn’t automatically mean I’d get the position, but it allowed me to put myself out there and go for it.
Cammy smiled and nodded. “I want to focus my attention on Amelia, and I’m fortunate enough to have the opportunity.”
“I’m so happy for you.”
Caitlyn entered the room and smiled when she saw the two of us chatting. “Just the person I was looking for,” she said to me. “Do you have a few minutes to chat in my office?”
“Sure.”
“Great.” Eyeing Ray’s strawberry cupcake, Caitlyn held up a finger. “Let me just grab one of those first.”
She chose a lemon meringue and gestured toward the exit.
Cammy squeezed my arm and whispered, “Congratulations. You deserve this, Kit.”
“Thank you.”
“I assume Cammy told you her news,” Caitlyn said when I caught up to her.
“She did. I’m thrilled for her.”
“I am too. And I’m just as happy about the conversation we’re about to have,” Caitlyn said.
“That sounds promising.”
My impending unemployment had been weighing heavily on me, even though I’d padded my savings account with the proceeds from my eBay store. I’d researched freelance jobs in computer engineering fields, but none of it appealed to me after working at Silver Maple.
“Let’s cut to the chase.” Caitlyn gestured for me to have a seat as she settled in behind her desk. “I want to offer you the permanent position as Silver Maple’s activities coordinator.”
“I accept,” I replied before my ass touched the chair.
Laughing, Caitlyn pushed a folder toward me. “You didn’t even look at the contract to know what you’re agreeing to.”
“Doesn’t matter. I love working with the residents and staff here. I’m all in.”
Caitlyn shook her head. “Love your enthusiasm, but let me go over some highlights. You can take the contract home and read it over the weekend.”
“Okay.”
“You’ll go from an hourly to a salary position with a substantial raise,” Caitlyn said.
I couldn’t imagine it would get better than that, but then she started detailing the benefit package that came with the position. “I’m ready to sign,” I said in disbelief.
Caitlyn nudged the folder closer and smiled. “Take this home and let me know if you have questions. If not, we’ll sign the contract on Tuesday. Your new salary and benefits would go into effect immediately.”
“Wow. This is incredible. Thank you for taking a chance on me, even if my Aunt Ronni nudged you to hire me originally.”
Frowning, Caitlyn said, “No, she didn’t.
Ronni handed me your resume and said that you’re a good egg.
Frankly, I think she undersold your talents.
” Caitlyn placed her elbows on her desk and leaned toward me.
“You’re the one who bowled me over during your interview.
I knew the moment you sat down that you were the perfect fit for Silver Maple.
In fact, I’d already talked to the board about expanding the budget to include a second position for you once Cammy returned.
I still think you could use help, even part-time, but that’s something we can talk about later.
” She pointed at me. “It’s one thing for someone else to understate your talents, but you need to stop underselling yourself. ”
Smiling wryly, I said, “I’m working on it.”
“Good, now get out of here before I snatch that cupcake and eat it.”
“Thank you, Caitlyn.”
“No, thank you.”
I tucked the folder under my arm and headed toward her door.
When I pulled it open, a guy about my age stood on the other side with his hand raised as if prepared to knock.
He was a few inches taller than me and had blond hair, pretty brown eyes, and the most flawless skin I’d ever seen.
I lived with the sexiest man on Earth, and even this guy’s appearance flustered me.
“Oh, hello,” the stranger said.
“Hi. Are you looking for Caitlyn?” Duh, dumbass. He’s standing outside her door.
“Dorian!” Caitlyn exclaimed. “I’m so glad you’re here. I want to introduce you to Kit, who is our activities coordinator at Silver Maple.”
What were the odds Dorian’s parents had named him after a fictional character too? Maybe I’d get to know him well enough to ask. I extended my hand, and Dorian shook it. “Nice to meet you.”
“Same,” he replied.
“We’ve hired Dorian to help us with our public relations issues,” Caitlyn said with a light grimace.
Ray’s heroic rescue replaced Bobby’s coverage in the media for a while, but salaciousness would always prevail.
“Dorian’s primary focus is managing Silver Maple’s social media presence, so I imagine the two of you will work together frequently. ”
“And I already have ideas for our first campaign,” Dorian told Caitlyn.
I gestured to the hallway with the cupcake. “I’ll let you get to it.”
Dorian stepped aside so I could exit Caitlyn’s office, and I called out, “Have a good weekend.”
Ray grinned broadly when he spotted me.
“Are you happy to see me or the cupcake?” I asked.
“Always you.”
Vaughn looked up from the monitors and zeroed in on the pink confection in my hand. “Did I say I wanted to cut back on refined sugar?”
“Yes,” Ray and I said together.
“I hate you both,” Vaughn snarled and reached for the flavored sparkling water he took everywhere.
“You love us,” Ray teased.
Vaughn rolled his eyes. “Yeah, but get out of here, and take that gross cupcake with you.”
Out in the corridor, Ray peeled off the cupcake liner and devoured it in three bites.
I wiped the icing smear off his mouth and licked my fingers. “Mmm. That might be better than the key lime.”
“Oh man. Key lime? Too bad there’s not enough time for me to help set up for the life drawing class and mow through the rest of the cupcakes.”
“You don’t have to help me,” I told him.
Ray draped his arm around my lower back and pulled me closer as we walked. “You’re much sweeter than any cupcake.”
“Charmer.”
“Nah, that’s Archer,” Ray said.
“And speak of the devil,” I said, pointing to Archer walking ahead of us.
Ray stuck two fingers in his mouth and whistled shrilly to get his attention.
Archer stopped and waited for us to catch up. Then he grinned like the Cheshire cat, showing off a mouthful of brilliant teeth. “I’m ready for my modeling debut.”
“Dude,” Ray said. “Did you whiten your teeth for this gig?”
Shrugging, Archer said, “I want to give the people their money’s worth.”
I looked between Archer and Ray and wondered if some wires got crossed. “The attendees didn’t pay for the class.”
“Not directly,” Archer said. “But they pay a fuck ton to live here, so it’s fair to say they funded the class.”
Ray leaned closer and narrowed his eyes. “Why does your face look shiny? Did you run here?”
“I used a face mask to give me glass skin,” Archer replied.
“What?” Ray poked Archer’s cheek with his finger. “Feels real to me.”
Smacking his hand away, Archer said, “Don’t be obtuse.”
“I’m not,” Ray said. “I don’t have a clue what you’re talking about.”
“You’re going to wake up one day and regret the way you’ve neglected your skin,” Archer said.
Ray just grinned. “Today’s not that day.”
Archer waved him off and walked ahead of us.
“I’m glad he’s taking your life drawing class seriously,” Ray said.
“Maybe too seriously.”
“He’s told everyone that you had to move the class to the auditorium because of his popularity,” Ray said. “Not because the new arts and literature building is still under construction or because your first class was so successful. It’s all because of him.”
“Archer’s participation sure doesn’t hurt attendance,” I said.
“Can’t you let me be annoyed with him?” Ray asked.
“Sure, but can it wait until after I tell you about my amazing news?”
“Of course.”
I showed him the folder and relayed the conversation I had with Caitlyn. He stopped in his tracks and wrapped me in an enormous bear hug.
“I’m so happy for you, baby,” Ray said. “You deserve this.”
“Thank you.”
“Let’s go out and celebrate tonight. Just the two of us.”
“Sounds perfect,” I said. Movement to my right caught my attention, and I turned to find Dorian approaching us. “Oh, hey.”
Dorian smiled and volleyed his doe eyes between us before introducing himself to Ray.
“I was just heading to the auditorium to talk to the model posing for your life drawing class,” he told me.
“This would make the perfect story for Silver Maple’s social media accounts, but I need them to sign a release before I can use their images. ”
Ray snorted. “You won’t have any issues getting that prancing peacock to sign the release. I’ll introduce you.”
The three of us continued to the auditorium, making small talk to avoid an awkward silence. Once we got there, I pointed out Archer to Dorian, who groaned wearily.
Uh-oh. “Do you know Archer?” I asked.
Dorian’s cheeks turned pink, and he said, “In a roundabout way.” Then he straightened his shoulders, notched his chin up higher, and marched forward.
Archer turned as Dorian approached and blasted the sexy blond with a brilliant smile. Where most men would melt into a puddle, Dorian remained unaffected, at least externally.
“What do you think their deal is?” I asked.
Ray tugged me around to face him. “Don’t know, but you can bet we’ll find out.
” He brushed wayward strands of hair off my forehead and smiled.
“I should get going to my session, but I’ll meet you at home afterward to make plans.
” He kissed me once more, lingering a little longer this time. “I love you.”
God, I’d never get sick of hearing that. “I love you too.”
Walking backward so I could watch him go, I thought of all the beautiful ways my life had changed since meeting Ray. Then I bumped into a row of seats and nearly flipped backward over them. I stood up quickly and dusted myself off. Well, fuck a duck. Some things sure as hell hadn’t changed.
The End!