Epilogue
One Year Later
Alana
The club’s party was in full swing, and Alana moved through the club like a swan in her white minidress, making sure everyone was taken care of.The decorations glittered gold in the candlelight; even the flowers had been painted in gold, sprouting up from large vases at various positions around the room.She looked in pride at her club.It really was beautiful, a place she could be proud of.
“Hey.”She greeted Ruby with a kiss on the cheek.Her friend was glowing.Marriage looked good on her.
“Hey!God, can you believe you’ve been in business for three years now?”
No, she couldn’t.How had time moved so fast?But she wasn’t complaining.This club had changed her life for the better.
“Happy business birthday.”
She grinned.“Thanks, Rubes,” she said, before turning to announce to the room, with everyone she cared about in it, “Everyone, please take your seats for dinner.”
Midway into dinner, she couldn’t help but look down the table.Ruby and Josh were laughing, flirting with each other.Rick, Heath, all the trusted members of her club were there.And Drew, of course, was at her side, holding her hand and chatting away to his parents.She felt a tap on her bare shoulder.Eric.She smiled.
He signed, “Are you okay?”
She signed back, “More than okay.Just taking a moment to take it all in, you know?”
He smiled and signed, “I understand.”
He’d become a loyal employee of Drew’s, and their friend.Or more like family, she supposed.Everyone at this table was family.Everyone had helped her and her love a year ago after the ...incident.Josh calling the cops who covered what they did, Rick and Heath for ensuring the rest of the gang members from Atlanta had jobs, and Lucien for providing private security for them.The list went on and on.The rhythm of everyone talking and laughing was like the sweetest music to her ears.She tuned into what Drew was saying.He seemed to be planning another trip with his parents.They’d all gone on the last one, to have a real chance to get to know each other, and she loved them.They were the best in-laws a woman could ask for.It was like Drew’s mom could hear her thoughts as she turned to her, patting her hand.
“You’re welcome too, Alana, no question.In fact, I think I sometimes prefer you to Drew.”
“Hey!”he protested.
“Sorry son, but Alana’s way more fun to go shopping with.I need my shopping buddy with me.”
Drew grinned lazily and threw his arm around her shoulder.“Well, that’s not a problem.We’re kind of a package deal anyway.I can’t get rid of her,” he said, flicking her nose.
She shot him a look, but she couldn’t keep the smile from her face.She opened her mouth to retort, but his mom got in there first.“Oh, please, Drew, we all know you can’t leave her alone.He doesn’t stop talking about you,” she said with a wink.
Alana flashed a triumphant smile at him, as a slight pink color appeared on his cheeks.
Truth was, she knew it and it made her heart sing.She’d worried that she’d be too clingy to be a girlfriend, a real partner, scared of being rejected, but it turned out that he was just as obsessed with her; they hadn’t spent a day apart in a year.
Ruby clinked her champagne glass, standing up.Her red lips shone in the light.“Right, everyone.We’re here to celebrate an incredible lady and her incredible club, which has been a problem solver, a lifeline, and a matchmaker to some of us,” she smiled, taking Josh’s hand.
“And a matchmaker for the owner herself,” Josh added with a grin.
Ruby smiled.“So, everyone, would you please raise your glass in celebration of Alana, and all she has accomplished?”
Glasses were raised, and smiles were directed her way.She had to bite back the tears.While she didn’t like the focus, the attention landing on her, there was something incredible about being celebrated for something she’d achieved.She’d never had that before.But she had a family now who wanted to celebrate her achievements, who wanted to celebratewithher.She bit her lower lip.
Drew took her hand and squeezed.It was like he always knew how she was feeling, when she needed comfort.She squeezed back.His hand, warm and steady in her own, gave her the confidence to address the room.
“Thank you, everyone.It means so much to me that you’re all here.Now, let’s eat, drink, and be merry!”
Cheers ensued as everyone carried on as they were.
Later in the night, when the band was playing and people began dancing, Drew held his hand out to her.She smiled and he twirled her around.They were in the middle of the dance floor, but they felt like the only two people in the world.
