Epilogue

Epilogue

Madi

Iwoke up to sunlight on my face and joy in my heart. Cole couldn’t spend the entire night with me. He had to get back to his kids. But we’d fallen asleep together, and now I knew what it felt like to wake up in his arms. It was dark when he had to go, but that didn’t take away from the contentment I’d felt when I saw his sleepy eyes crinkle at the corners as he smiled at me before he got up.

After he left, I looked around my room and at the cats and thought about all the things currently making me feel like I was floating on a cloud. I was home, and I was never going to leave.

My phone pinged with an incoming text, and a smile burst across my face. It had to be him.

COLE: Good morning, gorgeous. I’m counting the days until we can wake up together every day.

MADI: I can’t wait. See you at dinner tonight.

COLE: Sooner if I can get away.

He planned to tell his kids about us at breakfast so we could all go to the bachelor auction dinner together. I knew they liked me, but I was still a bit nervous.

Being friends with Gigi’s granddaughter from across the street was much different than liking the woman your dad was dating.

I sat at the edge of the bed, slipped into my robe, and grabbed the closest cat for a snuggle. Kenny purred against my neck, then butted his head against my chin. “I know. I’m happy for me, too,” I whispered into his soft fur.

Another text came through.

NATALIE: Madi!! I’m so happy right now! Dad said we’re going with you tonight for dinner. Ev is happy, too.

MADI: I’m so glad you guys are okay with this! I’ll see you all later. Talk soon.

I reread Nat’s message, not quite believing that this could be real.

Relief shot through my body as I entered the bathroom to prepare for the day. I felt like twirling or squeeing or getting back into bed so I could kick my feet in the air. I was happy for a change, and it felt freaking great.

I wasn’t going to Gigi’s to walk Basil first thing today like usual. Instead, Kenzie was coming over to join me for breakfast to discuss life, love, and the fact that I was about to become a permanent employee of The Cozy Creek Confectionery and a full-time resident of Cozy Creek. I was beyond thrilled.

There was a very real possibility that I would explode from happiness. Of course, I’d experienced joy before, but not like this. Never had this many aspects of my life lined up to be awesome all at once. This was unprecedented.

I ran through my getting-ready routine, then paced in front of the doorway, waiting for Kenzie to arrive. Kenny, Sage, and Victor watched me like I had lost my marbles, their little heads bobbing side to side as I walked the length of the apartment. Then, I almost jumped out of my skin when she knocked.

I threw open the door. She stood there with takeout coffee and a bag of chocolate croissants from Cozy Coffee, the shop down the street.

“I’ve heard things.” She beamed at me. “Good things. Gigi called me last night and told me everything. I’m so happy for you.”

“Let’s go sit.”

She followed me to the couch, placing our breakfast on the coffee table before sitting. Crossing one leg beneath the other, she settled in to listen.

“Hey, what is this?” She slid her hand between the couch cushions to unearth a black scrap of silk. “Underwear? Go Madi! You’re getting adventurous, aren’t you? Doing it with that huge window right there where anyone in town can look up from the sidewalk to watch you bang Cole. I’m ten percent shocked, twenty percent scandalized, and seventy percent impressed. Look at me doing math. So what’s going on? Thong in the couch? You?”

“No, ew.” I tried to grab it, but she held it over her head and laughed. “We don’t do it in here. The cats would see. Gross, Kenzie.”

She brandished the thong, waving it around like it was exhibit A that showed I was a freak in the sheets—or a freak in my living room, as the case may be.

I shook my head. “Kenny gets into my clean laundry and steals my underwear, okay? He likes to sleep on them, probably because they’re silky. Then he makes his biscuits, and they get wedged between the couch cushions. Don’t worry, they’re clean.”

She threw her head back and laughed. “Only you. You’re so freaking wholesome. It’s unbelievable.”

She tossed me the thong, and I caught it.

“Whatever. I’m going to get him his own undies. I’m sick of having to clean my fine delicates twice. Hand washing is a pain in the ass.”

“What a little weirdo.”

“Yeah, I know. Abigail stayed here a couple of weeks before I got here, and he stole one of her thongs, too. We still haven’t found it.” My eyes got big. “Oh, Kenzie.”

She froze, with her coffee cup halfway to her mouth. “He’s gotten out a few times, hasn’t he? Like that time in the tree. Gigi said he’s a little escape artist. It was worse before you got here.”

“Yes! Oh my god, Kenzie. Oh. My. God. Drew leaves his car window open. I know he does because I sometimes see it when I leave to walk Basil. And I’m not gonna lie; I judge him for it. Who does that in this day and age? I mean, really. Safety first. Always. Come on!”

“Focus, Madi. Does she wear La Perla? That fancy, expensive stuff?”

“Yes! She does. She gave me some for my birthday. She told me once my vag got a taste of the good stuff, I’d never go back. Like, she has a point.”

“Yeah, yeah, yeah. I’m putting a pin in that to tease you with later. But Madi, what if Drew didn’t cheat on me? What if this little orange menace put Abigail’s thong in the Corolla? What if he isn’t a jackass cheater, and I’m just a stubborn jerk who wouldn’t listen?”

“Stubborn, yes.” I winced. “I’m sorry, but it’s true. But you’re not a jerk. And to be fair, you did listen to him. And so did I. He said he didn’t know how it got there. Which would be hard for anyone to believe.”

“Yeah—I have to go. I’m sorry about breakfast. Help yourself to the croissants.”

“Don’t apologize. I’ll be in town forever now. We can talk anytime.”

“Yeah, you will!” She pulled me in for a hug. “God, I’m so happy about this. So listen.” Her hands went to my shoulders as she pep-talked me. “You’re going to look beautiful tonight. His kids will love you as much as he and everyone else in this town, and you will live happily ever after. Do not be nervous. It’s all happening, and it’s all good. Hopefully, for the both of us.”

“Happy. That is the word of the day around here. Go on, talk to Drew. Love you, Kenzie.”

“Love you too.” She blew me a kiss and dashed out the door. I hoped she could work it out with Drew. Especially since, starting next week, he was going to teach me how to bake bread.

I grabbed the donuts and propped my feet on the coffee table. I had about six hours before I had to start getting ready for dinner tonight, which was a lot of time to kill.

Finally, it was time. This moment felt huge. Important. This would be the first time I spent time with Cole and the kids as an official couple.

When I pulled into his driveway to meet them for dinner, the garage door immediately slid open, and two excited teens ran out to meet me. I stepped out and waved at them with both hands over my head.

Cole followed behind them, stepping into the garage from the interior door. He looked so sexy in a dark blue suit and matching tie. A slow smile spread across his face when he noticed my wave.

“I love you,” he mouthed, and I smiled.

I sent him heart hands since I was otherwise occupied with a chatty Nat and Ev, who wasn’t chatty but seemed determined to listen to everything we had to say.

“Now, we don’t have to worry about Dad being alone when it’s Mom’s turn with us because he has you to be with,” she told me. “And you’re perfect for him. I knew it the second I met you.”

“I’m honored you feel that way.” Tears filled my eyes, and I held my arms out, hoping they’d let me hug them, and burst into loud tears when they did. “We’re going to be happy. All of us. I’ll make sure of it.”

“We know you will,” Natalie whispered. “You’ve already helped me so much. For real, Madi.” Tears shimmered in her eyes. “I love you.”

I pulled away to brush them from her cheeks. “I love you too, sweetheart. And you too, Evan.”

Cole looked like he was about to burst. His chest puffed up, and his grin was ear to ear. God, how I loved this man.

“Listen to me,” I said, taking a deep breath to gather my composure before I went on. “I want you guys to know something right now. I know I’m not your mom. You have a mom, and I would never, ever try to replace her. But that doesn’t mean you won’t be my kids. I love your dad, which means I get to love you too. This means the world to me. It’s a privilege to be in your lives, and I take it seriously.”

“Okay. Yeah. I—” Evan scrubbed a hand beneath his eyes. “I never thought I’d have a stepmom before. This is pretty cool. I know you make my dad happy. He’s been smiling again since you’ve been around .”

Cole put a hand to the back of his neck and pulled him in for a hug. His eyes glowed with love as they met mine over Evan’s head.

“I love you too,” I murmured to him.

“Come here.” He kissed me, soft like a whisper. “I’m going to make you happy here. I promise you, Madi.”

“I know you will, Cole, because you already do.”

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