I smile and stare at my son. “All good on the public front.”
Harlow pretends to wipe her forehead. “Phew. Lexi wasplanting mistletoe all around the hotel. Little booby traps so we could see you two attempt not to kiss when you really want to kiss, but then you do kiss and question it, only to kiss again,” she babbles, and it’s her romantic heart at work.
“It’s fine. Make a map for where I can find the hanging plant,” I gladly declare.
The sound of two men laughing brings my gaze to my right. Stone and Nash are joining us, and it seems they must have been discussing anything but the running of the Dizzy Duck Inn.
“Ready to nosh on some brunch while my parents debate a Virgin Bloody Mary or not?”
I snort a laugh and stand. “That’s not even in question.”
Next to Nash where I should be, his elbow runs along my arm as he slips on the diaper bag and makes a funny face at Bo.
“Have fun. The croissants with local jam never fail at our fine establishment,” Stone jokingly reflects.
“Yeah, it’s the broken coffee machine that’s shit,” Nash points out.
Shaking my head, it’s nice to be lighthearted today. “No more Dizzy Duck critique.” I begin to push the stroller.
It’s a quick round of goodbyes, then Nash and I make our way to the dining room.
When we enter, we spot his parents in the corner. It’s their last day here before they head back south. Their demeanor is different to a few days ago, no longer tense but still resigned.
They too will find harmony; maybe not today but soon, I’m sure.
Nash and I are thinking clearly.
We have a future.
No sin is involved because there never was to begin with.
Maybe it’s the flick in our eyes that meet his parents’ orthe fact that we know we have Harlow, Stone, Holden, and Lexi as unexpected spies who are not so casually sipping on mimosas at the bar, pretending not to watch.
Everything is hopeful.
Which is why Nash and I look to one another with a smile then interlace our fingers to hold hands.
Because we’re together.
EPILOGUE: SUMMER
SIX MONTHS LATER
“Are you sure you’re going to be fine? I mean, that big shot lawyer guy from Colorado is staying this weekend,” I explain as Stone and Holden stand in front of the reception desk. They stare at me, unfazed, with their arms crossed.
In fact, Stone is casually drinking from his to-go cup of coffee. “Oh, whatever will we do if a fire starts and the Lake Spark fire department is busy saving a deer somewhere,” he deadpans. He probably thinks I’m being ridiculous.
My head cocks to the side from his demeanor.
“Go. Go on your much-deserved day off,” Holden assures me.
I nearly snort a laugh. “Seeing my brother isn’t exactly a holiday. There’s a fifty-fifty chance that Nash and Keats will get along.”
Holden quirks his lips and thinks to himself for a second. “I think they’ll be fine. You have a kid to distract them.”
A proud smile hits me. “Yeah, Bo is the best ever, isn’t he?”
“I mean, let’s not go overboard. My little guy is going to be the best little superhero in the making,” Stone highlights. He’s glowing like a proud father does.
