Epilogue

One Year Later

"Why are you so nervous?" Cash asks me.

"I'm not nervous," I respond. "I just want everything to go off without a hitch."

"And it will."

"So you say."

I rush around the dining room, making sure the table is properly set, and that everything is just so. Everything has to be perfect. Seeing that the forks are all askew, I frown and take the time to line them all up properly, drawing a laugh from Cash.

"Babe, it's Zane. He's been here a million times," Cash says. "If he had it his way, we'd eat pizza on paper plates."

"Well, it's a good thing we're not doing this his way then."

Cash grabs me by the shoulders, halting my frenzied pace around the table, and places a gentle kiss on my lips. I look up into those golden eyes, and my heart melts into a puddle of goo as a shaky smile and a sigh of resignation cross my face.

"What has you in such a frenzy?" he asks.

"Zane is bringing his girlfriend over for the first time. Do you know what a big thing that is? It's massive," I say. "And I just want to make sure everything is perfect for them."

"And everything will be perfect."

I look around the table and frown again. "I'm not so sure. I think I need to polish the wine glasses one more time."

"Baby, if you polish them again, you're going to wear them right through the glass. And then I guess we'll just have to pass the bottle around."

I laugh despite my own fluttering nerves. Things with Zane have gotten progressively better over the past year, but there are still times when I see him looking at Cash and me with an inscrutable look on his face. I know there are still times he struggles. But those times have grown fewer and farther between once he started dating his girlfriend, Alyssa. This is the first time he's bringing her around, and I think that takes things to another level. It's the first time we're stepping up onto this new tier of trust with Zane and it's important this goes well.

"I wish you'd take this a little more seriously," I chide Cash.

"I think you're taking it seriously enough for the both of us."

"I just want this to go well."

"And it will," he says and plants a kiss on my forehead.

About six months ago, Cash and I moved into a gorgeous house in a beautiful neighborhood on the other side of town. It's not that far from the bar, but it's a lot closer to my school. He still works most nights, but he insisted that I stop working altogether and focus on my studies. I was resistant at first, but after getting some scholarships and financial aid, I was a little more comfortable knowing that he wouldn't have to pay my way. And I still work some shifts at the bar, though not as many, but enough to put some cash in my own pocket.

My schooling is going well but I've still got about a year and a half or so before I finish my degree. After that, I'm going to have to decide what's next for me. Cash is encouraging me to go for my master's and a doctorate, and then hang out my own shingle as a counselor, but I haven't thought that far ahead just yet. But the fact that he is so encouraging and supportive means the world to me. It makes me think I can do anything. Everything.

He makes me think that no matter what I do, I'm going to succeed. He fills me with a surety and confidence that are still entirely new to me, and there are times when it's overwhelming. There are times I have to force myself to pause and just take it all in. Cash has been so good to me in so many ways that I don't know if I'm ever going to be able to repay him for everything he's done for me. Whenever I try to express that, he waves me off. He asks what sort of partner he would be if he didn't make me feel like I could conquer the world if that's my plan.

The doorbell rings and my eyes widen as a shot of white-hot adrenaline floods my body. Cash laughs and continues to hold on to me. I squirm in his grasp, laughing along with him as I try to break free.

"I have to go answer the door," I say.

"Maybe if we pretend we're not home, they'll go away and we can spend the evening naked and covered in whipped cream."

"As tempting as that is, I spent way too much time making a fantastic meal to let it go to waste, thank you very much."

He sighs dramatically. "Oh fine, be that way."

I give him a quick kiss as he lets me go and I dash for the door and throw it open. Zane is dressed nicely in jeans and a dark button-down shirt, a shy smile on his face. His girlfriend is adorable. We're about the same height, and she's got a thin but curvy build like me. I guess Zane has a type. The stud in her nose is a glittering red ruby, her hair is bright pink and cut in a bob, and she's got a beautiful pale complexion, and eyes so blue they're almost silver. She's stunning.

"Please, please," I say. "Come in."

"Thank you," Alyssa says.

They step inside, and I lead them to the dining room where Cash is waiting. He gives Zane a quick hug then turns and shakes Alyssa's hand, welcoming her warmly.

"We're really glad you two could make it for dinner," I say.

"Thanks for having us," Zane replies, his tone shaking slightly with nerves. "Guys, this is Alyssa. Alyssa, this is my dad and Cassie."

"It's really nice to meet you," Cash says. "Zane has told us a lot about you."

"It's really nice to meet you, Mr. Teague. Zane has?—"

"Please, just call me Cash."

Her smile is wide and sweet as she hands Cash the bottle of wine they brought. Cash takes it from her and welcomes her warmly.

"Please, have a seat," he says. "I'll open this."

Zane holds the chair for Alyssa, pushing it in after she takes her seat and kissing the crown of her head before taking his own chair. Their hands immediately find each other when he sits, and they look at one another with an affectionate glance that I think is absolutely adorable. It's easy to see how much they care for each other. Cash walks back in with the open bottle and fills the glasses in front of everybody before taking his own seat.

For a little while, we snack on the appetizers I brought out of the kitchen and spend some time getting to know Alyssa. She's intelligent and has a razor-sharp wit. She doesn't let Zane get away with anything and calls him on his bullshit, which I think is good for him. For his part, it's easy to see just how much Zane has changed in the past year. It's easy to see just how much he's grown up and matured. He seems really good with Alyssa. He's kind and affectionate. He's considerate and thoughtful. Basically, he's the exact opposite of how he was with me.

"So, where did you two meet?" Cash asks. "Zane never mentioned that."

"We're in culinary school together," she replies.

"Oh, that's fantastic," I say. "And how are your classes going?"

"We're both on track to graduate next spring," Zane says. "After that, we'll be looking to catch on somewhere and start getting the experience we need."

"And maybe one day down the road, we're going to look at opening up our own little café," Alyssa says almost shyly.

I exchange a look of surprise with Cash before we both turn to Zane, who looks away as his cheeks flare with color. Hearing that Zane is looking that far down the road and making a plan for his life—a life that includes Alyssa—is shocking in the best way possible.

"Your own café, huh?" Cash asks.

Alyssa's eyes widen and her face drains of color. "Oh, God. I'm sorry," she says to Zane. "I didn't know you hadn't?—"

He laughs and shakes his head. "It's fine. We were going to tell them sooner or later anyway, so, why not now?" he replies. "Yeah, we're talking about it. Alyssa is the most amazing pastry chef I've ever seen. I think if we combine our talents and bust our asses, we can build something unique and really special."

"Zane, I think that sounds amazing," I say.

He offers me a small smile and glances at Alyssa. The silent bit of communication that passes between them shows a depth of emotion I recognize all too well. It's the same expression I have on my face whenever I look at Cash. Zane is in love with her. And judging by the expression on her face, Alyssa returns that love a thousandfold. It makes my heart swell with joy for them both.

"Thanks. I think it will be," Zane says.

"I'm proud of you, kid," Cash says. "It sounds like you've really grown up and have mapped out your future."

"We're doing our best," Zane replies.

"And it looks like you've found an incredible woman to navigate that future with you," I add. "I'm really happy for you both."

Zane raises Alyssa's hand and places a kiss on the back of her knuckles, earning him a shy laugh and a face turning a shade of red not normally found in nature. It's then that I notice the ring on her finger and turn to Cash. The light of pride on his face shining bright.

Cash clears his throat and looks at his son. "Zane, are you two?—"

"No. Not yet. It's a promise ring," Zane says. "We want to get through school first, and once we've got ourselves established, we'll make it more…formal."

Alyssa looks at Cash with a concerned look on her face. "I know it must seem really fast and impulsive, but?—"

Cash cuts her off with a shake of his head. "But when you know it's right, it's right," he says. "It's like I told Zane a while back, you?—"

"Can't control who you fall for," Zane finishes with a smile. "You were right about that. And with Alyssa, it just feels right."

"More than right," she adds. "It's perfect."

Cash's face turns red and his eyes shimmer like he's about to cry. He manages to hold it in, but the smile on his lips is so wide, it's practically splitting his face in half. He pulls himself together and raises his wine glass.

"Well then, to things being not just right, but perfect," he says. "Cheers to you both."

"Hear, hear," I say and raise my glass.

And as the tinkle of glasses being tapped together sounds around the table, I turn to Cash, and my heart skips a beat or twelve. Even now, more than a year into our relationship, he still gives me butterflies. I still wake up every morning looking forward to the adventure of the day knowing there's nothing I can't accomplish with him by my side. I can't imagine my life without him in it. More than that, I wouldn't want to.

Alyssa said it perfectly. My life with Cash is not just right, it's perfect.