Epilogue II

Dakota

I f I thought last year went by in a flash, this one has gone even faster.

At least it's ending with champagne and fireworks. For most of my life, I learned that a lot can go wrong in a single year. For the past couple of years, however, I've learned that a lot can go right, too. And tonight marks not only the end of the calendar year but also the end of the first successful business year for The Emerald Slipper, my own cocktail lounge.

Set in the heart of San Francisco with a stunning view of the city's twinkling skyline, my place is every cocktail aficionado's wet dream. For a while, I didn't think I was going to make it this far. But then everything changed. In a way, I reckon the Faulkner brothers were like good luck charms. They've brought me nothing but peace and happiness and so much love that sometimes I feel overwhelmed by everything I feel for them, but overwhelmed in a good way.

"Damn, this place looks hot," Archer says as I serve him another mint julep.

"I need to thank your interior designer for that. Phillipe is out of this world," I reply, looking around, admiring the Frenchman's iconic handiwork. "I can't believe we've already been featured in two major interior design magazines."

"We have many copies of both issues," Reed adds with a wink.

Maddox leans in. "Can I get another old-fashioned, please?"

"Baby, you can get whatever your heart desires at The Emerald Slipper," I quip with a charming smile as I go on to prepare his favorite drink.

"I really want something else, but I can't have it until we get you home," he grumbles. "So, I'll settle for an old-fashioned."

The guys reign supreme at the bar, standing tall as oaks and looking ridiculously handsome as ever. It's a full house, and all the tables are booked. My mixologists and waiters are constantly buzzing around, prepping and serving orders, one after the other.

"You have been my greatest critics thus far," I say to my men. "What do you think of my twist on the classics? We're trying something new this month."

Maddox takes a moment to taste his old-fashioned. "There is something different here, but I like it. What did you do?"

"Blood orange zest," I say with a wicked smile.

"And just for that, I'm going to make you come so hard later tonight," he says, careful not to be overheard as he leans forward.

Reed bumps him with his shoulder. "Get in line, brother."

"I call dibs first," Archer says. "This is your best mint julep to date, baby."

"You call dibs? What am I, a takeout dish?" I laugh while cleaning up my workstation.

Behind me, the barbacks dart back and forth, restocking the fridges and the other bartenders' spaces.

"No, you're a whole fucking meal, and I can't wait to eat you up later," Archer replies.

"Wow, you guys really have it in for me, don't you?" I mutter, my cheeks flushed while heat is quick to gather between my legs. We still have a few hours to go before lights out, but damn, I'm going to be wet and ready before we get home if they keep teasing me like this.

"Chelsea's watching the kids until noon tomorrow," Reed says. "We'd be fools not to take advantage of that. Besides, it's been a while since we've had the whole house to ourselves."

"Yeah, you're right."

I love it when we have the whole house to ourselves. They get exceptionally wild, and I enjoy the ride all the way through.

"There she is," Archer says, looking toward the main entrance.

I follow his gaze and spot Callie. She looks stunning in emerald-green sequins, her curly red hair flowing down her bare back and her lips are the color of rubies. She makes her way across the room. She gives me a bright, enthusiastic smile as she's followed by a cohort of cover-girl-looking friends, each dressed fancier than the next.

They have a table reserved every weekend right next to the DJ booth. As her friends sit down and the waiter takes their orders, she comes over to say hello, as always.

"Looking good," I tell her. "I love how you always pick the house colors."

"Representing The Emerald Slipper, through and through," Callie replies, then gives my husbands a reserved but polite nod. "Good evening, gentlemen."

"Hey, there," Archer says. "You really like coming here, huh?"

"I always pay for my drinks. Is that a problem?"

"God, no, the more the merrier," he says, laughing lightly. "All respect due to anyone who supports my wife's business. And you sure came through."

"Making up for lost time," Callie says, then looks at me. "I brought you some Ivy League bunnies tonight. Picked them up at a Monroe Charity gala. They'll be in San Francisco for the next four years, so chances are, they're going to be spending a lot of their daddies' money here."

"You're a boon for business," I reply. "You should really take a percentage from these sales, though. You've earned it."

She shakes her head. "No, I couldn't. It's my pleasure."

"Callie, you're getting them to buy a ton of booze, and from the top shelf, I might add. Please, let me do this."

"Okay, fine, you don't have to twist my arm about it," she chuckles and playfully rolls her eyes in an adorable fashion. "Let me see if I can get them to order some of that gold dust rosé champagne. You still have a few bottles of that, right?"

"Three cases, actually."

"Perfect."

"The kitchen is open until ten," I tell my sister. "I'll let the chefs know you're here."

She gives me a wink as she walks away from the bar. I watch her settle among her swans, the waiter rushing to take every detailed order while another brings them some snacks on the house. It's been a year since we've reconnected, and I have to admit, we've come a long way. Callie has been showing me a side of her that I'm liking more and more.

"You're determined to help her out," Reed concludes.

"I am. She's struggling a bit. Her monthly allowance and charity board salary aren't what she's used to."

"Poor little rich girl," Maddox scoffs.

I smile softly. "Well, call me a bleeding heart, but you know what? She's earned these percentages. Callie has been instrumental in our promotion. I have to give credit where credit is due."

"I'll be honest, she is starting to grow on me," Maddox says, "in her own uppity way."

"She's not a bad kid," Reed concedes.

Life has a way of putting us in difficult situations. Some cope, some don't, and some slip through the cracks. Some of us are able to get up and try again. And again. And again, because we don't have a choice. We can't afford to quit. Others, like Callie, get poisoned from an early age by a silver spoon and a heap of generational trauma. Yet, somehow, we do find a way. We do overcome the hurdles, and when we're tired enough of repeating the same pattern, we break the mold and forge paths of our own.

For me, the inheritance was completely out of the blue, a miracle that almost never happened. It solved so many things in such a short time, giving me the space and the peace I needed to focus on my projects and on the things that bring me joy. Yes, the Faulkner brothers could've just as easily paid my troubles away. But they chose instead to do everything in their power to support me in my endeavors, which is why I said, "I do," in front of the pastor on the beach on Christmas Day.

For Callie, the inheritance was a bitter reminder of her dysfunctional family. She didn't really want the money, but she was convinced that she'd need it in order to be happy, as if eighty million dollars would ever replace our father. Once she learned the truth, however, everything changed. She found her way back to me, and she's been working hard to build this uncanny sisterhood ever since.

"How much longer?" Archer asks me, constantly checking his watch.

For a moment I'm confused, lost in my own thoughts. "How much longer?"

"Till last call; I'm dying here," he says.

I laugh. "A few more hours, I'm afraid."

"Don't be. Whip me up another mint julep, please; otherwise, I'm going to take you into the back office and drink you ."

And that's the way it is. Not a day goes by that I don't wonder what might've happened if I hadn't walked into that Single Dads Club meeting.

I shudder to even imagine my life without my handsome, sizzling-hot triplets.

I hope you loved Single Mom's Christmas Wish.

If so, then you'll absolutely love Christmas with my Best Friend's Brothers and

Single Mom's Glow Up !

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