She thought about her home in New Orleans and Chic Threads. During those long, quiet days closed up in her room, waiting on the test results, she’d had plenty of time to think. Time to sift through everything she’d built, everything she wanted to keep, and what she was ready to let go.
Over the summer she’d grown unexpectedly fond of Napa and its surrounding areas. The pace. The space to breathe. The simplicity. She especially liked Bodega Bay and the windswept cliffs, the cry of seagulls below, and the hush of the waves that crashed against the shore.
Later, she’d found herself browsing real estate listings. She felt drawn to the small homes perched above the ocean, like the one she’d rented earlier in the summer. Something with wide windows and space for quiet mornings. A retreat. Anew beginning. Maybe she’d move Chic Threads, or open a second location—something more intimate, coastal. Something that felt more like the woman she was becoming and less like the one she planned to leave behind. Bianca wanted to evolve into something else. She wanted to become someone who made the lives of the people she loved better.
Bianca took another sip of tea, and for the first time in weeks her thoughts didn’t spiral. They were clear. Tomorrow she would get in touch with her realtor—just to test the waters. See how much her New Orleans property might sell for. And she’d also talk to Amelia about Chic Threads. Maybe she’d want to take it on full time. She was already handling the day-to-day and she was loyal. Bianca trusted her.
There were decisions to be made, real ones. The kind she used to avoid when things felt uncertain. But now something inside of her was shifting. She was ready, not just to decide but to move forward. It was time for her to live.
Chapter Thirty-three
Remi
Remi could hear the crunch of the gravel beneath the crane truck’s wheels as it pulled into position. They were earlier than she’d expected, otherwise she would’ve already been out there to meet them. She made long strides towardJoie, heart pounding with anticipation. Zoe and Mila rushed to catch up, and Bianca followed close behind at her own pace.
Paloma was already there, confidently directing the truck driver into place—not that they really needed her help, but she wasn’t one to stand still when something big was happening. Leo stood nearby in his athletic shorts and running shoes, hands shoved into his pockets, watching with a relaxed grin.
Leo stepped closer to Remi, smiling. “This is a big moment for you,” he said. “I happened to be out for my morning jog and saw the truck pull in.”
Remi nodded, her excitement barely contained. “I’m really excited.”
Paloma walked over with a wide grin on her face. “This is it, girlfriend. Are you ready to see your name in lights?”
“I’m so ready.”
Paloma and Remi held hands as the crane’s hoist began to lift, raising the covered sign high off the ground. All eyes turned upward as it was carefully positioned atop the building and secured in place. Then came the unveiling. The cover was removed slowly. Then … there it was in bold, elegant lettering:Joie Winery—Tasting Room. Winery. Vineyard.In the center, nestled between the words, was Mila’s logo. The signage for the winery in full view, for the world to see.
Remi pressed a hand against her chest, overwhelmed. She glanced at Mila, who stood by silently, eyes wide, lips parted in awe.
“That’syourmasterpiece, sweetheart,” Remi told her, and pointed at the sign.
Mila covered her mouth with her hands in disbelief. Zoe clapped and let out a cheer, and everyone else followed. Then she wrapped her arm around Mila’s shoulder.
“This is so cool,” Zoe said.
Bas walked up, wearing sweatpants and an old T-shirt, still rubbing the sleep from his eyes. He looked up at the sign, blinked in amazement, and grinned. Without a word, he gave Mila a high five. The three of them—Bas, Zoe, and Mila—stood huddled in a circle.
Across the gravel, Bianca stood quietly, watching. She didn’t say a word, just smiled and looked at Remi with eyes full of pride. It was a look that saidI see youandI’m proud of you. Remi smiled back, soft and warm. Their friendship had changed. That was for certain. It had weathered so many things that should’ve destroyed them, but the love was still there. It had transcended all that happened. They were still family, whether they wanted to be or not.
Remi felt the fullness of the moment settle around her. As the crane lowered, she stood there, her eyes focused on thesignage, taking in every curve of every letter.Joie Winery. Every letter leaving an imprint in her heart.
Inside, everyone gathered into the finished tasting room, with its earth-toned, soft peach-colored walls. Paloma held a wine bottle high above her head. The soft light caught the label.Joie, printed in elegant script, was wrapped around the slim bottle of blush rosé. “Here’s toJoie’s first bottle,” she announced, her voice full of pride. “It’s from our very first batch.”
The room quieted for a moment. Remi stepped forward, took the bottle into her hand, ran her fingertips over the label. The moment was surreal. She handed it back to Paloma, who was watching her. Paloma uncorked it with a soft pop. She poured slowly into waiting glasses.
“To growth,” Paloma said, lifting her glass in the air.
“To the badass women who built it,” Zoe added, raising hers a little higher. She giggled when she caught Remi’s eyes. “Sorry, Mom, but you’re a badass woman.”
Laughter filled the room. Glasses clinked, and Remi gave her daughter a light smile.
Remi watched as Mila held hers close, then touched her glass to Bianca’s. She said it in almost a whisper, but Remi heard her, “To the ones who made it through,” she said.
Bianca blinked back tears and Remi’s smile trembled. Remi raised her glass to her lips, tasting her first batch. The wine tasted like pure, crisp sunlight. Like wonder, excitement, and everything beautiful.
Like joy.
Bianca had started going for walks every evening, just before the sun began to set. A ritual she’d adopted after her visit to the doctor. Tonight Remi decided to join her. They found themselves side by side, making slow strides aroundthe property. Birds rustled in the trees overhead, and then the sprinkler system hissed, watering the rows of vines.