Epilogue

Possibilities

Libby

I hadn’t been convinced that having an exclusive dinner fundraising event on a yacht was a good idea, but now that the event was in full swing, I was pleasantly surprised.

All of the previous furniture inside and outside on the main living deck had been removed and the space completely transformed. There was enough room for one hundred and twenty-four attendees, which brought in a million dollars, and that didn’t include whatever additional funds people had donated.

Everyone was enjoying the sunset cruise down the Hudson and mingling before a dinner by a James Beard Award winning chef would be served. That wasn’t the highlight for me, though—the highlight was seeing the excited faces of our special guests from the neighborhood schools we’d be supporting.

I smoothed down my black cocktail dress, feeling both overdressed and underdressed at the same time. I wasn’t used to these types of events and still felt out of place, even though I knew I didn’t look it.

“You look like you’re plotting an escape route.” Carter came to join me where I was looking out across the glistening water. “The closest lifeboat is on the port side.” He handed me one of the champagne flutes he was holding.

I accepted the glass, taking a small sip. “That’s not helpful unless you tell me which side is port. And I’m not plotting an escape. I’m...”

“Avoiding both your boyfriends who are currently in a heated discussion with Ryker?” He gestured toward the far corner, where Leo and Ethan were engaged in an animated conversation with my brother and a few other men.

It had been three weeks since Leo broke off his sham of an engagement and the gossip columns had quickly moved on to more exciting stories. If my brother had any hangups about me being with Leo, he had gotten over it quickly.

I groaned. “They’re probably talking about hockey again.”

“Speaking of hockey… you know Nora.” It wasn’t a question, but more of a loaded statement.

“Yes. I mean, I don’t know her super well, but I’ve hung out with her and Paige a few times. We might start a book club soon.” I narrowed my eyes at him. “Why?”

He shrugged, looking across the room where Nora was talking with a hockey player, neither seeming too happy to be in each other’s presence. “I think she might be my future wife.”

I rolled my eyes. “You say that about every woman.”

“I’m serious this time.” He was so unserious that, even if he really meant it, I would have to see it to believe it.

“Well, good luck with that.” I didn’t know Nora that well, but from the things I’d heard her say, she loved the single life and was very focused on her career as a specialist coach for an NHL team.

“The ladies love me. Maybe you can put in a good word for me.” Carter looked at me hopefully.

I snorted. “I’ll do that.”

Carter held up his camera. “I need to get some pictures of you, your brother, and Leo.”

Groaning, I made my way across the room, weaving between clusters of well-dressed people engaged in conversation. As I approached, Leo caught my eye first, a warm smile spreading across his face that made my stomach do a little flip.

“Carter needs us for photos,” I announced, interrupting whatever sports debate they were having. “You too, Ry.”

Ryker and Leo excused themselves from the group, and they followed me back to where Carter was waiting.

After a few shots, Carter wandered off to take more photos and Leo was pulled away by one of the donors.

Ryker touched my arm. “Hey, can we talk for a minute?”

“Sure.” I followed him to a quieter spot near the railing.

“I wanted to tell you how proud I am of you.” Ryker’s voice was soft in a way that made my throat tight with emotion. “You’ve really found your place here, and seeing you thrive... it means everything to me.”

“Ryker...” I blinked back tears, not wanting to ruin my makeup.

“Having you closer now…” He shook his head, smiling. “It’s like having my little sister back.”

I threw my arms around him, hugging him tight. “I love you, you big sap.”

“Love you too.” He squeezed me back before pulling away. “And for what it’s worth, I think you made the right choice by choosing both of them.”

I followed his gaze to where Ethan and Leo were now standing together, their heads bent close as they looked at something on Ethan’s phone. My heart swelled at the sight of them.

“They’re good men.” Ryker sighed as if he really hated to admit all of this to me. “Different as night and day, but they both love you. Anyone can see that.”

I was unable to take my eyes off them. Even after these past weeks, it still felt surreal having them both in my life this way.

Ryker nudged my shoulder. “Go on, be with your men. I need to make my rounds anyway.”

I gave him one more quick hug before making my way toward Ethan and Leo. As I approached, they both looked up, smiles spreading across their faces.

“What are you two up to over here?” I craned my neck to see Ethan’s phone. “Halloween costumes?”

Ethan wrapped his arm around my waist, pulling me close and kissing my temple. “We were discussing who would be Mario and who would be Luigi.”

“Well, Luigi is taller… and I’d clearly make a superb Mario.”

Leo snorted. “And who would I go as? Princess Peach?”

I couldn’t help but giggle at the mental image of Leo in a pink princess dress. “I think you’d look stunning in a tiara.”

“You know what? I think I’d rock that crown better than both of you.” Ethan stood taller, puffing out his chest. “It would go with my fae prince vibes.”

“Oh, geez. Not this again.” I wished Carter had never told him that.

Ethan’s hand moved to my hip, his thumb drawing lazy circles against my dress. “What do you think, princess? Who would make the better Princess Peach?”

I pretended to consider it carefully, tapping my chin. “Well, Leo does have that whole ‘royalty’ air about him already...”

“Betrayal!” Ethan gasped dramatically, clutching his chest. “And here I thought what we had was special.”

Leo smirked, sliding closer to me. “Face it, I’ve got the natural grace and elegance required for the role.”

“You’ve got something all right,” Ethan muttered, his eyes quickly darting to Leo’s crotch then back up.

“I think we all know who the real princess is here, though.” Leo leaned in, his breath tickling my ear.

Between his proximity and Ethan’s hand on my waist, I was finding it increasingly difficult to maintain my composure in this very public setting. “Careful,” I warned, though I couldn’t keep the smile from my face. “We’re supposed to be maintaining a professional appearance tonight.”

“Professional went out the window the moment you put on that dress.” Ethan’s fingers dug into my hip.

I was about to remind them that we were surrounded by donors and community members when I spotted a familiar figure making her way toward us. “Heads up,” I whispered urgently. “Mamma Caponetti at twelve o’clock.”

The guys straightened immediately, putting a more respectable distance between us. We’d had brunch with her a week ago, and while it had been awkward at first, she was surprisingly accepting of our relationship. Leo’s father was still a work in progress, especially with Leo not wanting to take over the hotels.

“Leonardo, darling!” Bianca’s voice carried across the deck as she approached, her designer dress floating elegantly around her. “I’ve been looking everywhere for you. Elizabeth and Ethan! Don’t you both look wonderful.”

“Mother.” Leo greeted her with a kiss on the cheek. “You look lovely as always.”

She patted his cheek before turning her attention to me. “We must do lunch soon.”

“Oh, uh, yeah, sure.” I hadn’t the faintest clue how that would go.

“I’ll have my assistant set something up.” She squeezed Leo’s arm and then was off to mingle.

“Well, that wasn’t so bad.” I was nervous she’d pull another stunt to get her son to marry someone of her choosing.

“She adores you.” Leo moved to stand beside me. “Both of you, actually. I’m honestly a little surprised at how she’s taken it, but I think I made myself pretty clear that I wouldn’t be following in her and my father’s footsteps and having an arranged marriage.”

We hadn’t met Leo’s father yet, but hopefully, he would get over everything and see how happy we made his son.

“I can’t believe how much has changed in just a few months.” I looked between the two men who had completely transformed my life. “If someone had told me when I moved back that I’d end up here...”

“You mean you didn’t plan on falling for your best friend and the squatter?” Ethan teased.

I shook my head, smiling as Leo’s hand found mine, threading our fingers together. “I love you. Both of you.”

Ethan’s arm tightened around my waist as Leo squeezed my hand. “I love you too,” they said almost in unison, then laughed.

My life hadn’t always been happy, but it had turned out better than I could have ever imagined. I had two amazing men who loved me and a future full of possibilities.

Thank you for reading Falling For Them!

Nora’s book, Hooked On Them , is coming soon and will have Carter and two hockey players.

When you're one of the only female coaches in the NHL, hooking up with players is firmly on the "don't even think about it" list.

So naturally, as a woman who enjoys herselfwaytoo often, I did just that.

A charity gala, two men, and enough champagne to fill the Stanley Cup later... here I am, staring at a positive pregnancy test and questioning every life choice that led to this moment.

Did I mention that last part? Because yeah, I'm pregnant. And the father could be either one of them.

Between morning sickness during crucial practice sessions, a billionaire who buys the whole damn hockey team to save my career, and a player who makes me want to break my clipboard over his stupidly handsome head, I thought my life couldn't get more complicated. Then the sweetest guy on the team volunteers to pretend to be the baby’s father, and well...

I thought coaching hockey players was challenging... too bad none of that prepared me for this particular hat trick.

Hooked On Them

Also in this world and appearing in Falling For Them are Paige, Ryker, Luca, and Garrett. Read their why choose book, Stuck On Them .