Epilogue
Ava
Four months later
“I think that’s everything.” Hollis planted her hands on her hips as she surveyed my living room.
The event planner I’d hired for Addison’s baby shower had completely transformed the space—and honestly, I shouldn’t have expected anything less.
She’d planned Addison’s wedding and blown all of us away then, too.
My living room had been transformed into what I could only describe as an explosion of purple and ponies.
Dean and Addison were having a baby girl, and Addison had refused to allow anything pink within a ten-mile radius of this shower.
Spread across my kitchen island was an over-indulgent array of desserts—from pony-shaped cookies to lavender macarons. Hollis had even curated an impressive balloon arch made up of every shade of purple imaginable, framing the name of the newest addition to our family.
Avalynn Daphne Adler.
That’s right—Addison was naming her daughter after yours truly, which naturally meant I was already obsessed with this unborn child and fully confident she was going to be incredibly cool.
Especially considering her middle name was Daphne, after Dean’s mom, who was quite possibly the chicest person on the planet.
Honestly? What a combo.
“It looks incredible, Hollis. You’ve outdone yourself yet again.”
The front door opened, and Farrah stepped inside with my newborn nephew strapped closely to her chest. I flashed Hollis a quick smile before beelining for that sweet baby.
“Gimme baby JJ.”
Farrah chuckled as she slipped him from the wrap and settled him in my arms.
She placed her hands on her lower back and leaned backward to stretch. “Thanks. I could use the break.” Her eyes swept across the space. “Wow, it looks great in here.”
I pressed a kiss to baby Jordan’s forehead and nodded. “Yeah, Hollis did a fantastic job.”
Over the next several minutes, the rest of the guests filed into my house, including the guest of honor.
Everything made Addison emotional these days, so naturally, she gushed and cried over every detail.
The shower went exactly how I envisioned.
We mingled, ate good food, and played silly games.
After Addison opened all of her gifts—and practically sobbed every time—the front door swung open, and all the guys filed into the living room.
In walked Dean, Weston, Walker, Archer, Cohen, and my dad.
“And what the hell do you guys think you’re doing here? It’s a women’s-only shower,” I said, crossing my arms over my chest.
Addison placed a hand on my leg. “I may have told Dean he could come.” She flashed me an apologetic smile.
“Then what’s the excuse for the rest of them?”
Dean cut in. “They were bored. I told them they could come.”
Cohen grabbed a tiny sandwich from a tray and shoved the entire thing into his mouth. “Yeah, we were hungry, and Dean didn’t have shit at his place,” he said around a mouthful as some of the guys nodded and started helping themselves to the leftover food.
Weston stayed rooted in place, glancing around the space, unimpressed. “It looks like Barney threw up in here,” he grumbled.
I pushed to stand from the couch and patted him on the chest. “Thanks, big bro. Complimentary as always.” My eyes shifted toward Hollis, who was within earshot. If looks could kill, Weston would already be dead.
“Clearly not everyone in the James family has taste,” I heard her mumble beneath her breath as she stomped off toward the kitchen.
As the party began to wrap up, I started organizing Addison’s gifts and collecting trash. I spotted Weston near the kitchen island talking to Caroline, Addison’s old high school friend, who also happened to be the best realtor in Primrose Hill.
“Something small,” I overheard Weston say. “I’m not looking for anything fancy.”
Caroline laughed. “You’re a James. Have you seen your siblings’ homes? Nothing about your family is small.”
“I’m aware,” Weston corrected dryly. “But I’m not them. Just the unlucky bastard related to them.”
I made my way toward the kitchen and leaned toward Cohen, who was now shoveling macarons into his mouth. “Did he just say he’s staying?”
Cohen nodded. “Officially retiring.”
I knew Weston was planning to retire within the next year or so.
I just didn’t realize we were already at that point.
When Weston and Caroline finished their conversation, I rushed over and wrapped him in a hug.
“I didn’t know you were retiring and moving back this year! ” I squeezed him. “I’m so excited!”
Weston huffed a laugh. “Easy, Ava. You’re killing my ribs.”
I released him and smiled so he could continue.
“Yup, moving back in a few months. Our parents are getting older. I’ve accomplished what I set out to do in the SEALs. It’s time I take over as CFO. Plus, all my siblings keep popping out kids, figured I should be around so they had an actual positive influence."
“Happy to have you back home, big bro.” I leaned up and kissed him on the cheek.
He nodded and then looked toward my large kitchen island, where trays of food and desserts were still half full.
“Seems like a lot of food wasted. Why did your planner order so much? I’d be pissed to waste that much money. This wasn’t that large of a party.”
Weston always liked to critique—especially when it came to money… which I suppose would serve him well now that he was becoming the new CFO for our parents’ winery and vineyard.
As I was about to open my mouth, Hollis appeared out of nowhere. “Seems you have a lot of opinions for someone who had zero involvement in this event—let alone someone who wasn’t even on the guest list.”
Weston squared his shoulders, looking down at my event planner. Hollis was tall—she had to be at least five-foot-nine or five-foot-ten—but with Weston being six-foot-five, there was still a vast difference.
“It was an observation.” His eyes flicked down and then back up, as if sizing her up. “And let’s get something real clear. This is my family. I’m always on the guest list.”
Cohen and I stood quietly, our eyes bouncing between the heated exchange.
The tension was thick, the air heavy. Luckily, my mom made her way over and placed her hand on Weston’s arm.
“West, honey. I’m glad you’re here.” She gestured toward Hollis.
“This is Hollis Bradley. Our new in-house event planner.”
Cohen choked on the macaron in his mouth, trying to hide the grin forming on his face as I elbowed him in the ribs.
Completely unaware of the uncomfortable tension vibrating between the two, my mom beamed at Hollis. “Hollis, this is my eldest son, Weston. He’s moving back to take over as CFO. You two will be working together.”
My eyes darted toward Hollis. She quickly schooled her features and straightened her spine before extending a hand. “Nice to meet you, Weston.” Her tone was polite. Barely.
I glanced back at Weston. He stood tall, face neutral, as he took her hand with a nod. “Nice to meet you too.”
He was unreadable to everyone else, but I could see he was pissed. It was in the way he clenched and flexed his hand after the handshake. The way his eyes ever so slightly narrowed as he studied Hollis.
Oh yeah. That was going to be a problem.
I clapped my hands together to break the awkwardness. “Well, that is awesome, Hollis! Welcome to the family.” I pulled her into a hug.
She had no idea what she’d signed up for.
Poor girl.
I was planning to wait for some big, special moment. But as we sat on the back patio of our new house overlooking the hills dusted in various shades of blue, yellow, and purple… I couldn’t think of a better time.
Cohen draped his arm across the back of the couch. “You did good today, Trouble. Addison’s shower looked great. She seemed really happy.”
I glanced up at him. “It was all Hollis. She’s incredible.”
He dropped a kiss on the top of my head. “You’re incredible.”
I rolled my eyes with a laugh. “What a line, CoJo.”
He pinched my side. “I’m serious.”
I pushed off the couch. “I actually have something for you.”
“See? Incredible.”
I grabbed the folder off the table and settled back in next to him.
For so long, I believed I was someone people eventually walked away from. Never anyone's first choice. And for the first time in my life, I didn't question whether I was chosen. Cohen Jordan chose me, and I wanted to show him I chose him, too.
I handed him the folder. His brows pulled together as he looked down at it. “What’s this?”
I shrugged. “Open it.”
Cohen opened the folder. His eyes scanned the paper inside before darting back to mine. “Ava. Is this—?” His voice cracked.
I leaned over, grabbing a pen off the table. “You just need to sign it.”
His hand wrapped around the back of my head and pulled my mouth to his.
Cohen poured everything into that kiss—every promise, our future, forever.
When he pulled away, his amber eyes were shining.
“You didn’t have to do that,” he rasped.
“Fuck, I love you.” He wiped at his eyes, staring back down at the paper.
I placed one more kiss against his lips. “I thought it was time our daughter had her daddy’s last name.”
Without hesitation, he took the pen from my hand and signed.
It was official.
He was ours.