Epilogue
Angela
Standing on my back porch, I cup my hands to my face and call for my fiancé.
He’s at the end of our dock, showing off his boat to Nick like the proudest papa that ever was.
He bought the thing a few months ago and has presented it to every member of my family but my cousin, who came home yesterday, on leave for our wedding.
I turn to Charlie with a roll of my eyes as Fluff twines around my legs.
“You’d think he built the thing with his own hands,” I say, and she laughs.
“We can go out there to say hi, but it’s only fair to warn you.
Nick’s been with Garrett for over an hour, learning enough about boats to last a lifetime.
” I jerk a thumb over my shoulder. “Or we can wait in the house with the rest of your family and spare you that particular pain.”
Charlie crouches to pet Orange as he wanders onto the patio.
“I like seeing Garrett happy, especially when it gives me ammo to mess with him later. And if he’s gaga over some boat, I’ll have plenty of ammo.
Come on.” She links arms with me, and we stroll toward the dock with Fluff and Orange trotting ahead.
Their bellies swing and their tails are high.
The change swells my heart after the way their life started.
“I’m glad to finally have you here,” I say.
“We can hang out at my uncle’s bar, and you can tell me all about this guy you’re seeing.
” Over the last several months, Charlie and I have gotten close.
It weirds her brother out, but he’s going to have to deal because Charlotte Cooper is quickly becoming a great friend.
Garrett frowns when he sees me. “I thought you’d already heard enough about boats to last a lifetime.” He turns to Nick for support, but my cousin just gives me a knowing smile.
“Oh, I did.” I stare balefully at Strawberries & Champagne as she rocks in the water. “But your sister insisted we come down anyway so she could make fun of you. The rest of your family’s in the house. You know, smart enough to wait for you to come inside.”
Garrett throws his arms around Charlie and pulls her close. “I thought you guys weren’t getting in until four.”
“You thought right,” she says with a laugh.
“What time is it?” Garrett lifts a brow and turns to Nick in shock. “How long have we been out here?”
“I’m just as surprised as you. Apparently, I love boats.” Nick turns to me. “Why didn’t you tell me I love boats?”
I shrug as Charlie holds her hair out of her eyes, squinting up at her brother. “How ya been, Bear?”
Garrett shoves his hands into his pockets. “Miss you guys, but living in the Keys suits me, which is another thing I never thought I’d say.”
“I think being in love suits you, but whatever.” Charlie holds out a hand to Nick. “I’m Charlie, by the way. Garrett’s much cooler younger sister.”
Nick’s smile is too big. His eyes meet hers with an intensity that catches my attention.
“Nick,” he says, shaking her hand almost reverently. “Angel’s cousin.”
Charlie blushes, her gaze darting to the ground, then right back up to his again. “It’s a pleasure.” Her voice is low and throaty. She bites her lip then smiles into her shoulder.
I glance at Garrett who lifts his brows in surprise. “Nick is a Marine. He’s just in town for the wedding and is shipping back out soon.”
I don’t know if he means the info as a warning or simple conversation, but it doesn’t seem to turn Charlie off. If anything, it makes my cousin all the more mysterious and enticing—if the blush to her cheeks and bat in her lashes has anything to say about it.
We head back into the house, where the rest of Garrett’s family waits.
He greets them with hugs all around and introduces Nick, who lifts a hand.
“It’s really nice to meet you all, but I’ll get out of your hair and let you catch up.
We’ll have plenty of time to get to know each other at the party tonight. ”
There’s a chorus of agreement and one overly loud, “I’d like that!” from Charlie, who immediately turns the color of Garrett’s favorite lipstick.
The conversation makes its rounds to everyone’s life.
I listen as my soon-to-be husband jokes with his family.
He’s still my grumpy, growly guy. That will never change.
But he’s quicker with a joke. Easier to laugh.
And anger isn’t the first emotion he reaches for anymore.
I’d love to think I had something to do with that, but really, Garrett’s the one who’s done the work.
“Construction is finished at the Bliss site,” he says, his hand on my knee. “We’re set to soft open next month. We’re training employees, finding the weak spots, getting everything shored up.”
“It’s been a hell of a ride.” I take his hand as Garrett’s dad bobs his head in approval.
“One that’s just beginning.” Jack Cooper turns to his wife.
“When you’re sharing your life with the right person, every day is an adventure.
Sometimes it’s hard. Sometimes we challenge each other to grow or compromise.
But always, no matter what, I know that I have my best friend in my corner.
It looks like you’ve found someone like that, too. I’m proud of you, son.”
Jack is tall like Garrett, with gray streaking through dark curls. Where my dad is strong and imposing, he’s warm and inviting, though the one thing they share in common is their love of structure and order. How Jack ended up with a free spirit like Amelia is beyond me.
Garrett gives his family the tour of our space. Fluff and Orange follow, meowing like tour guides as we enter each room.
“Do you guys need to head to the hotel to clean up before the rehearsal dinner?” Garrett asks as we return to the living room. “I’d keep you here all night, being selfish, just glad to have you in our house. I’ve missed seeing you all.”
“We’ve missed you too, Bear,” Amelia says, gripping his arms and smiling with all the pride and pain of a mother with grown children. “But we probably should get checked in and cleaned up before we meet at Angel’s parents.”
The Cooper’s pass out hugs once, twice, a third time, then leave me in the quiet house with my husband to be.
“How long until we need to be at your parents’?” Garrett pulls me close, his hands sliding down to cup my ass.
“I think we have an hour or two to kill. Why?”
“Because I have an idea.” His lips tease mine. “A very good idea.” He guides my hand to his prominent erection.
“I like where this is going,” I murmur, squeezing his dick. “Where do you want me?”
Garrett grins, a devilish glint in his eye. “The boat.”
“The boat?” I huff a laugh. “I don’t think—”
“Angel.” He quirks a brow. “Be a good girl and get your ass on the boat.”
We pull up to my parents’ house, last to arrive once again.
My hair is tousled, and my body is sore, and for some reason I like the Strawberries & Champagne more than I did a few hours ago.
Our families mill around, laughing and talking like old friends instead of new acquaintances.
Cathlynn and Carabell shriek past, one turning to hit the other before Blossom grabs them by their arms and marches them off without so much as a hello in our direction.
“There you are!” Nathan says as he trails after his girlfriend. “Miss Always Early is turning into Miss Always Late.”
“That’s Mrs. Always Late to you.” I pop a hand on my hip. “Well, as of tomorrow.”
Garrett rolls his eyes. “I’m never late, thank you very much.”
“Except the day we met to exchange phones.”
“I wasn’t late.” He taps the end of my nose. “You were early.”
“I hate to break it to you,” Nathan says with a cocky grin, “but you’re late right now.”
Blossom hisses his name, and he shoots me an apologetic glance before hurrying off to play peacemaker to a problem he didn’t start.
Garrett frowns, watching him leave. “Still don’t like her.”
“Ditto, Bucko. Ditto.”
We wander past Micah, leaning quietly against the wall, looking shell shocked as he nurses a drink. He lifts his hand, smiles weakly, then gives his attention back to the floor before the family absorbs us. We talk and laugh. Mingle and drink too much champagne.
Several hours later, Nick catches us in a rare quiet moment. “Did you hear about Micah?” he whispers.
“No. What happened? He’s been weird all evening.”
“Ivy’s back.”
“Ivy Ivy?” I press my hands together and put them to my lips. “She’s back? As in for good?”
Nick turns up his palms. “That I can’t say, but she has a kid. Micah’s devastated. I think he always thought they’d end up together.”
I search the crowd for my cousin but can’t find him anywhere. “So, she’s married?”
Nick shrugs. “No clue. You now know as much as I do.” His eyes fall on someone over my shoulder and a self-conscious smile tugs at his lips. I turn to find Charlie chatting with Connor and shake my head.
“She’s feisty.”
Nick grins. “You say that like it’s a bad thing.”
“She’s also my little sister,” Garrett retorts.
“Now that.” Nick lifts his pointer fingers. “That might be a bad thing.”
Later that evening, Garrett wraps an arm around my waist, and pulls me close. “Do you think our family will be this…” He wobbles his head as he searches for the right word.
“This what? Kind? Caring? Wonderful?”
“Large,” he says with a laugh. “Do you think our family will be this large?”
“The only thing I know for sure is that it will be filled with love, laughter, and a happily-ever-after.”
“See,” he says, lifting my chin with the tip of his finger, “I knew you were looking for your prince.”
“No way, Bucko. I was looking for you.”
Behind him, the moon hangs low and bright over the water. The stars shine, glimmering with the promise of forever. But for as beautiful as the scenery is, as happy as it makes me to be surrounded by family, the thing that matters most is him.
Garrett Cooper.
The grumpy, growly, sweetly crazy man who promised to make me happy for the rest of my life.
I hope you loved your time with Garrett and Angela!