Epilogue

EPILOGUE

Orla

I was going to a party.

Somewhat in my honor, it seemed.

Ramsay Kilts was finished, my second crew putting in long hours to have it up and running ahead of schedule, and today they were hosting a grand opening party for the whole town. They told me I was the guest of honor, and Willow had even sent over an outfit, much to my chagrin.

"I'm scared to open it."

I eyed the wardrobe bag that hung on the bathroom door.

We were at my place, as Finlay was still taking his time with getting his new house together, and we'd made a cozy space of it together. And I do mean cozy. Our bed barely fit us, let alone Harris, who once he'd spied my soft comforter had instantly decided that was his new favorite spot. It didn't matter that I'd bought him a nice fluffy dog bed. Nope, he only slept in it when we hung out on the couch. But if we went to sleep? Well, he was coming with us. It had been an adjustment, to say the least, and some days I woke up spooning Harris, and others, I woke to find Fin's arms wrapped around both me and the dog.

I loved every second of it.

"You'll break her heart if you don't wear it."

"You don't even know what's in there." I pointed at the bag, suspicion in my voice. "It could have ruffles. Thousands of ruffles. I could look like a feather duster or something."

"The sexiest feather duster I've ever seen." Fin dropped a kiss on the back of my neck, and I shivered, desire rippling through my body. Even though we were both exceedingly busy, our sex life hadn't diminished. Not in the slightest. In fact, I was certain the man made more excuses to find new and exciting ways to corner me for a quick shag whenever he could.

This week's had been particularly entertaining, though I didn't think Fin saw it the same way I did. Thinking back, a snort escaped me.

"What was that for?" Fin demanded.

"Och, just thinking about the storage rooms at the castle."

Fin grumbled something, likely cursing at me, before ducking into the bathroom to hide his embarrassment. We'd just, uh, finished —having snuck away to a deep dark hallway of the castle—when Clyde had jumped from the wall. I'd sensed it seconds before he'd arrived but had been unable to warn Fin in time .

In time to pull his trousers up, that is.

Instead, Clyde had sent Fin running down the hall, pants-less, with everything hanging out for the world to see.

I'm not sure when I'd ever laughed harder. To the point where I had to cross my legs or soon there would be a story going around about me peeing my pants. I wanted Lia to hold on to that particular honor. Luckily, it had only been Munroe who had appeared at Fin's shrieks, and apparently the two had seen each other naked a time or two in passing during their university days. All in all, no harm had been done, except to Fin's ego that is, and I still laughed about it at least twice a day. Not that I'd admit that to Finlay, of course.

Smiling, I unzipped the garment bag and gasped.

"Is it bad?" Fin ducked his head back out of the bathroom and whistled. "Damn, baby. You're going to look fabulous."

"I'm in awe. Won't I look like a big disco ball?"

"Even so, you'll look amazing. This is perfect for you. Willow nailed it."

She'd designed sparkle overalls for me to wear, mirroring my work overalls exactly, except she'd coated the material with sequins. Shiny rose gold sequins.

"Pink," I grumbled.

"Which goes fabulously with your ginger hair." Fin kissed the top of my head. "Go on, try it on."

I reached for the zipper and then paused, bursting out laughing as I leaned close.

"Look!"

At the collar she'd embroidered both a goldfish and a smiling puppy dog face. Harris and Goldie, by my side. Right, okay, this whole found family thing was pretty damn cool after all.

"I love it." Fin pulled his kilt on as I stripped and slipped into the overalls. They weren't much heavier than my work pair and I blinked down at myself, amazed by how much I loved these. "There's a note that says to wear them with your sparkle trainers."

"Of course." I laughed. She knew me so well. I still only had about four pairs of shoes.

By the time we'd arrived at Ramsay Kilts, I had only attempted doing the robot once, feeling like some sort of sparkly dance machine, and Willow's cry of approval told me all that I needed to know.

"You look fabulous."

"I agree." I beamed at Willow, hugging her, and then pulled back. She looked radiant in a leather bustier top with a huge tulle maxi skirt that floated around her and was dotted with sparkles. "Love this look. It's all like, badass and fairy princess in one."

"Exactly what I was going for. Come, get a drink. Everyone is coming today. I can't wait for people to see your hard work."

The shop had turned out beautifully. Even though the fire had destroyed much of the shop, the bones of the building had been fine. We'd leaned into making this place a custom boutique experience, and Ramsay had spared no expense on the extension that turned the wee shop with a small flat over it into a comfortable two-bedroom house with extra space for Willow's business to grow as well. Wood beams, which we'd had engraved with Celtic insignia, crossed the ceiling, the fireplace mantel mirroring the same Celtic artwork, and we'd painted one wall a lush deep evergreen. Cream-colored stone, gorgeous new hardwood floors, and floor-to-ceiling windows allowed light into the shop space, making it earthy, rich, and welcoming.

Apparently, Ramsay was going to have to get over his zero-customer policy.

"It's a beautiful space," Ramsay said, coming forward to shake our hands. "Now everyone's going to want to come here."

"Much to his annoyance," Willow said cheerfully, grinning up at the towering grump. His eyes softened as he looked at her, and I'd learned since working with them that he was all bark and no bite. At least not for whatever Willow wanted, that was.

"Damn it, Willow. How many people did you invite?" Ramsay glared past us, and I turned to see a crowd making their way down the lane toward the shop. Biting back a grin, I turned to watch the show.

"Just a few of our friends."

"I thought I had discouraged this whole friend-making propensity of yours."

"I can't help that people love me, Ramsay. It's a curse, I swear it." Willow hung her head, pretending to be repentant, and Ramsay grabbed her waist, whispering something in her ear that sounded suspiciously like "punishment" and I grinned as her cheeks pinkened. The door swung open and in moments, the party was in full swing.

An hour later, I was exhausted with the number of people who had come up to either congratulate me on a job well done or to ask me about potential future jobs. Grateful that Fin had prepared me for this, I'd dutifully tucked cards in the pocket of my overalls.

Yes, it came with pockets.

"Oh my, this is going to be interesting." Agnes, looking sexy in the way of people who just are without having to think about it, wore a simple midnight-blue silk dress that slithered over her body and a necklace with a small book charm at her neck. It made me think of being wrapped in sheets, sexy ones at that, and I'd caught Graham eyeing her more than once while she remained oblivious, chatting to everyone in the room. Turning, I glanced out the window.

"She's back!"

Miss Elva sauntered down the lane in a sequined caftan, with a tartan turban on her head. A single crystal sparkled at the center of her turban, and big doorknocker earrings sparkled at her ears. Nothing about this outfit should work together, and yet it all worked, seamlessly so. Her three hotties followed, all in tartan caftans and black sequined waistcoats, and there was not a shirt to be seen among them. Muscles rippled as they walked, almost in unison, guarding Miss Elva as she strolled to the shop.

Listen, if you had told me that I'd find a man in a sequined waistcoat sexy one day, I would have called you a liar. And yet, here we were.

"Well now, I heard there was a party so I had to swing on through on my way back to Tequila Key," Miss Elva announced to the entire party, who naturally had gone quiet as she'd swung in the door. Out of deference or out of surprise, I wasn't quite sure, but either way, Miss Elva commanded the room .

"Miss Elva!" I waved to her, and she came over, her smile wide and shining in her face.

"Child. Just look at you. I swear, I never would have thought about a sequin jumpsuit in that style. But it works. It really works."

"That's all Willow. She's one of my friends. And part of the Order."

"Well, now, child. It seems you found your place after all, doesn't it? I told you friends were everything, didn't I?"

"You did. You were right. I need them as much as they need me."

"It's a good thing to remember. Now, introduce me to this Willow. I want a jumpsuit."

I introduced her to Willow. The two women looked each other up and down, sizing each other's outfits up, and instantly became best friends.

"We need to talk. Where did you get this skirt?" Miss Elva demanded.

"I made it. I'll make one for you if you'll get me one of these caftans."

"I make these," Miss Elva crowed, and Willow clapped her hands in delight.

"My new best friend."

"Looks like she has a new sister from another mister." I started but didn't turn at the voice over my shoulder. Rafe was here, and it seemed the pirate ghost was in a mood. I'd only met him for a short time, but I'd quickly understood volatile was his standard operating procedure.

"That's okay. I'm happy to share Miss Elva. I'm sure you're used to it, aren't you?" I hissed over my shoulder, unable to resist poking at the ghost. I mean, he'd saved my life and all, and then insulted me the rest of the time. Maybe insults were just his love language.

"Rude." Rafe winked from sight, and I stifled a grin as Agnes beamed up at the trio of beefcakes.

"Lads. Good to see you again. How were your travels?" Agnes asked, twirling a curl around her finger. She choked as Graham appeared at her arm, neatly hooking her elbow, before dragging her to the corner behind me.

Naturally, I eased a bit closer.

I mean, we were at a party after all, it wasn't like I was eavesdropping on a super private conversation.

"You're fairly obvious," Fin whispered at my ear.

"What? I'm just admiring the view." I kept my eyes on Miss Elva's boy toys and grinned when Fin pinched my side.

"If I was a lesser man, I'd be jealous."

"Thank God, your ego is intact. Now wheesht."

I sipped my drink, pretending to nod at something one of the sparkle kilt-boys said, but instead I was hanging on Graham and Agnes's whispered conversation.

"It's getting old, Agnes."

"Och, I certainly can agree to that, Graham. But it's not me that's dating every lass that blows through town, is it?"

"In fairness, I might not mind if you did."

I bit down on a laugh at that.

"You wish."

"I wouldn't mind the view, that's all I'm saying."

"Graham. You can't control who I date or even whom I lust after."

My eyebrows rose at that.

"Lust after? You're lusting after these lads?"

Och, now she was really winding him up .

"I mean, they're not hard on the eyes. Will give me something to think about later. When I'm alone."

With that, Agnes sauntered back into the party, Graham's muffled groan following her. She'd played that one perfectly, in my opinion, because now Graham was going to think about her in that sexy silk dress, alone, and being all lusty and whatnot.

In fact, I was getting my own self worked up. Fanning my face, I looked up at Fin.

He grinned, a knowing look in his eyes.

"I know that look."

"It's warm in here. Shall we get some air?"

"I'd love nothing more." Fin looked around, his eyes narrowed. "So long as there's no ghost coo about."

My laughter boomed across the room, and hooking my arm in his, we ducked through the back and into the garden, strolling home toward the cottage. Home .

It looked like I finally put down roots, finding friends, family, and my love all in one spot. I'd only needed to accept that the wee girl who was given nothing still deserved everything. Because she did.

I did.

"I love you," I said, smiling up at Fin.

"I love you too, my wee disco ball."

"We'll be finding sequins for days."

"Who cares? It's about time you shared your sparkle with the world."

Indeed, it was.