Lincoln’s brothers don’t budge.
Cousin Gina waddles into the mix, rubbing her ballooning pregnancy bump. I can’t hear everything she’s saying but I catch bits and pieces.
“…Going to be a single mother now…Stupid DNA test said he’s not the father…He was outta there the minute the results came in…Great-Grandma refuses to give me my damn trust fund money…” She wipes crocodile tears from her eyes, pouting at the towering Raines men, trying to earn their sympathy.
Oliver and Rocco just shake their heads in unison.Entry denied.
I stifle a laugh. It’s good to see that my brothers-in-law have my back. It’s good to truly feel like part of a family.Finally. This sense of safety I feel since becoming a part of Lincoln’s world, it’s like nothing I’ve ever experienced.
Oliver and Rocco eventually get rid of my half-sister and cousin. My attention stays fixed on handling the overflowing orders at the cash register.
Then, out of the corner of my eyes, something grabs my attention. I turn back to the door, and my jaw drops open as I see who just stepped inside.
“Great-Grandma…” I husk out as Josephine ambles through the door with her walking stick. Humphrey is on her heels. No sign of Martha today.
I drop everything and weave my way over to greet her.
“You…you came…” I murmur, on the verge of tears again.
I’ve left her tons of voice messages over the past few months. I’ve sent her letters. I’ve had packages delivered to her door. She never responded, and I thought I’d lost her forever. But now, she’s here.
Her gaze flits around the room, bouncing from corner to corner. She nods approvingly. “This is quite impressive.”
“Thank you, Great-Grandma,” I choke out. “I’m so glad you’re here.”
She shrugs her shoulder. “You went to great lengths to make this happen. I wouldn’t miss it.”
“I thought you hated me…” I confess quietly, unable to stop the words from falling out.
Her head shakes from left to right. “I was quite angry with you for a while. But now that I’ve had time to think, I’m nothing but proud of you, Julissa Mei. I’m nothing but proud of you.”
I’m blubbering, the tears coming faster than I can wipe them away. She takes me into a hug and I only cry harder.
“I’m really sorry that I lied…” I murmur against her frail shoulder.
She strokes the back of my head. “I forgive you, dear. We all make mistakes when we’re young. But I trust that you’ve learned from yours. I’d like to move forward, if that’s okay with you.”
I nod, straightening up and wiping my tears.
“Good,” Great-Grandma huffs. “Now, stop crying and help me find a gift for Martha’s birthday.” She shuffles forward, lifting a T-shirt off of the first rack she approaches. “Get that lettuce watered, bitch,” she reads out loud. Her eyes widen in horror as she holds up the shirt.
I quickly snatch it away from her and guide her to the other corner of the room. “Maybe we can find something over there,” I tell her as Lincoln laughs from behind my back.
By the end of the evening most of the designs are sold out and I’ve even taken preorders for the next batch I’ll make available in my online shop. And in my mind, I begin toying with the idea of opening a physical store location. But I’m not quite ready to take that on just yet.
After everyone is gone, Lincoln and I are bone-tired, sitting on the floor, leaned against empty merchandise boxes, legs stretched out in front of us.
I hear a tiny voice at the back of my head.Good going, girl. You did so good.Looks like my guardian angel is finally on my side. That feels good.
“Thatwas a massive success,” Lincoln says to me. He uncaps his ginger ale and takes a long sip.
I’m still in disbelief. “I can’t believe we sold out.” I glance around at the mostly empty racks. “That’s crazy…” I take the plastic bottle from my husband and gulp greedily.
“How is it crazy? Don’t you know you deserve all the success in the world?” He brushes a lock of hair from my face.
“Yes. I guess…” I pause. “I just remember back in the day, when I wouldn’t have a sale for weeks. And now…this. Sold out. It’s like every part of my life got better when you walked into it.”
He just smiles. “For better or for better. That’s what I promised you, Jules. I will do everything in my power to deliver on that promise. Every day for the rest of my life.” He leans in and gently kisses my temple.
“Yeah, for better or for better,” I echo.
Then he cups my cheek. “But if the ‘worse’ part ever happens, you can count on me to be here, too.”
I smile, my heart swelling with a happiness I never knew was possible.
“For better, for worse, for all of it—I’m not going anywhere, Lincoln Raines. I’m yours. Forever.”
