I put my hands on Lola’s waist and lean into her ear.
“Merry Christmas, Trouble,” I say. “I have everything I want for Christmas right here.”
She turns, and her lips brush mine. “So do I, Captain. So do I.” She leans her head against my shoulder. “I’m having the time of my life.” She smiles up at me.
“It’s about time, isn’t it?” I wrap my arms around her. “Time for our happily ever after.”
EPILOGUE
GOOD PLANS
LOLA
I’ve been at the apartment all afternoon. Tully and I moved in above The Kitty-Corner Cafe, a cute, cozy place that Juju insists we live in for free. Tully refuses to do that and says he’ll get creative with ways to pay her if he has to, and I’m going to let the two of them argue that out. My clothes are unpacked, and my plants sit on every windowsill. Our coats hang on the hook by the door, and my coffee cup sits next to his in the cabinet. It’s starting to feel real. Tully is back in my life for good, and every day, I wake up smiling, happy to spend this life with him.
He still has to finish the season, and it’s almost certain that they’re going to the playoffs, but I was ready to get settled into Windy Harbor. After being around Tully’s family, New York felt especially lonely every time I went back. I’d rather be around the Whitmans missing Tully than alone in New York missing him.
I gave Mark & Muse Ink to Briar and Juni. I never owned the building; that was always someone else’s leverage, but Ihanded over the equipment and the client list. Everything I built over five years, I handed to the two people who’d helped me build it.
They both cried, and then I cried in my car afterward. Mostly because of the price I’d paid to make it successful. The place had been the focus of my love and attention for so long.
The piece clearing my name ran while Goldie and I were in New York. Isla came too, and they helped pack my things, making it way more fun than it would’ve been on my own.
By that night, my Instagram had gained forty thousand followers.
I’m still not entirely sure what to do with that, but I’m excited about the possibilities.
Patrick even called, saying he’d heard about what happened to me and he was really sorry I’d been through that. He wished I’d told him. It was a nice gesture…until he made a smart-ass comment about Tully’s golden retriever energy.
“He wasn’t so golden retriever when he kicked your ass, was he?”
Yeah, he didn’t like that, and hopefully it’ll keep him from calling again.
Daniel’s agent certification has been permanently revoked. Marcus called to tell us, and Tully and I danced around a hotel room in Chicago after his game. Nobody in professional sports wants to be associated with Daniel Crewe.
I haven’t heard from Daniel, which has been surprising. After years of dread, wondering when he’d pounce again, I’m not used to living without that. Yet. He has tried to contact Tully, but the legal protection Tully had in place meant Daniel’s attorney received a response that left no ambiguity.
I want no contact whatsoever. Any further attempts to contact me will result in legal action.
Tully hasn’t heard from him since.
The FBI investigation continues. A plea deal is expected this summer.
Bruce Granger is still out there, which eats away at Tully and his family. Now that I’ve heard more about how far back the vendetta with Bruce goes, I can understand why. But Marcus and Wade swear that Bruce’s day is coming.
I feel bad for Dahlia and Ava that their father is like this. They have no contact with him anymore, but I know it can’t be easy.
My phone buzzes, and I’m jarred out of my thoughts. My mom. She’s been calling more often. It hasn’t been terrible.
“Hey, Mom,” I say.
“Hi there. What are you up to?”
“I’m waiting for Tully to pick me up. He’ll be here soon.”
“Okay, well, I won’t make this long. Dad and I want to come visit…see your new place, get to know Tully a little more. That weekend the two of you spent here went by too fast.”
Tully pulled out his charm that weekend and had my mom and dad eating out of the palm of his hand. I should’ve introduced them years ago and trusted that Tully would soothe any doubts they had about a hockey jock.