I drop the paper from my hand.
“I’m so sorry, Emma.”
“You’re my family?”I stare at Phyllis, my vision swimming with tears.“I have a family?”
“Yes.And when you’re ready, you can meet my son, who’s your uncle, and your nieces and nephews.”
“I haveall kindsof family!”
I jump up at the exact time Phyllis does, and we fall into each other’s arms, clutching at each other as we both cry tears of joy.
I have family.Real, blood family.And a huge extended family.
I have a home.
And I’m loved.
EPILOGUE
Finn
“Summer, stop eating.They’re for the party.”I slap the cookie out of her hand.She puts me into a chokehold.
“I’m hungry,” she complains as she squeezes the life from me.“I haven’t eaten for three hours.”
“Here.”Declan shoves a deli paper bag in her direction.“I figured it’d be a while before we got any actual food in this joint, and I knew you’d be starving.I mean, who holds a party in a restaurant that isn’t even officially open for business?”
Summer leans closer to the bag, dragging me along, the oxygen draining from my brain.
“Is that what I think it is?”
Declan nods.“Ham and Swiss on pumpernickel.I had them add both mayo and that Dijon shit you like.”
“Is it real mayo, though?Because I hate that other—”
“Yes.It’s the real stuff.”Declan shakes the deli bag in front of her face.“You want it or what?I’ll eat it if you don’t want it.”
“Did you get me a pickle?”
I start clawing at Summer’s forearm.I don’t want to hurt the girl, but I’d prefer not to be in a coma for my engagement party.
“Yes.A giant-ass, penis-shaped pickle.”
“Mmm-mmm good.”She releases my throat and snatches the bag.
I bend over and gulp down air.
“You could’ve let the girl have a couple cookies, Finn.”Cal looks at me with disdain.“It’s not going to make any difference.”
“It’s my engagement party,” I gasp.“It has to be perfect.”
Special K grunts.“Isn’t Emma enough?The girl’s a damn Ninja, bro.No need for a Ninjaanda party.”“Don’t be such grumpy-butts.”Emma steps out of the kitchen and wipes her hands on her apron.“Victoria and I will be done in ten minutes.Declan and Summer, what are you eating?Go see if Phyllis needs help with anything.And Special K, I’m a woman, not a Ninja.”She pops up on her toes and leaves a kiss on K’s cheek.
He looks like a lovesick puppy.
“Get your own damn Ninja,” I snap at him, clutching my throat.
“I can’t believe Victoria’s in the kitchen,” Cal says to Emma.“Is she, you know, cooking and shit?”
