“I know!” Lily cried as they hugged. “I’ve got to get to Violet’s for my last day. Let’s all have dinner and celebrate tonight.”
Chapter 30
Lily
Iwalked into Violet’s to the sound of a lot of hooting and hollering, cheering, assorted whoops and one “You go, girl,” which none of us were cool enough to pull off. I looked around the shop to see my mother had beaten me here, along with Rose. Violet was behind the counter, and Finn and Nick rushed over to me bearing my favorite vanilla iced coffee and a cupcake, bless them. Gram sat on the big couch in the corner, waving excitedly with Liam and Jed sitting by her side. And at the tables, interspersed with a few of Violet’s customers, were many of my cousins and all my brothers except for Cade, who was on duty with my father and Trev. Everyone was smiling at me, and for once, I didn’t mind being the center of attention. Aunt Delphine rushed over and gave me a big hug and an “I’m so happy for you.”
I marveled at how fast this had come together. Purple and white streamers hung across the ceiling and silver and purple balloons floated on their strings tied to the chairs. The news of our engagement had only broken about an hour ago. Luke had stopped at his office with the kids and I’d walked over here for my last day of work to find this extravaganza instead. Howin the holy heck was all this possible? I looked to my mother sitting on one of the chairs across from my grandma. She looked a little bit disgruntled—happy, but disgruntled all the same.
Violet came up behind me and gave me a hug. “I texted Luke. He’s coming over with the kids,” she whispered.
“Was this you? Did you plan this? How?” I asked.
“Of course it was me,” Violet answered. “I’ve been planning a lot of things,” she said with a smile.
“You’re amazing, Violet. I had been feeling badly about this being my last day. Are you sure you don’t need me for another week or two?” I asked.
She threw back her head and laughed. “Oh, Lily. Don’t worry. I never needed you to work here,” she announced. “My shop is like a well-oiled machine. I wanted you here because Luke’s office is right across the parking lot.” She gestured to the window. “He came in here almost every day. You two belong together. It’s fate, and I am the hand of fate right now.” She pointed over at Mom, who looked even more disgruntled. “I am the matchmaking queen. I will bask forevermore in the glory of being right, being determined, and”—she raised her fists in the air—“beating Mom to make the ultimate match.”
I stared at her, agape. I hadn’t had one single clue. She really was the master.
Violet was laughing, and Mom had finally broken a smile. She lost the smile when Violet called out, “Who’s the master now, Dahlia?”
Violet turned to Finn and Nick. “Boys, what were the magic words?”
They laughed and said in unison, “Don’t worry about it. We got it, Aunt Lily. Take a break.”
“What else?” she prompted.
“Give her scones when it looks like she wants to run away,” Nick shouted while Finn cracked up at his side.
My mouth dropped open. I’d been played by my sister and her two teenage sons. I grinned huge and burst out, “I love you guys.”
“We love you too,” they shouted from behind the counter.
“I love you, Violet,” I whispered to her.
“I love you too, little sister. Be happy,” she whispered back.
We both turned as the door opened behind us, and Luke and the kids burst in.
“Oh, cupcakes!” Dylan shouted when he spied a cupcake tower on the coffee table by the couch.
“No way, donut boy. Take your booty to the veggie tray over there by Uncle Asher and the kids,” I answered.
He smiled and looked sheepish, but he didn’t argue as he headed to their table.
“Gimme that baby,” Violet demanded of Luke. He handed Calla over, and Violet took off with her to sit by Gram on the couch, where they proceeded to coo and rain attention on her. Calla loved it. Her smile was huge, and her baby squeals and giggles danced across the shop.
I took a bite of the cupcake Finn brought me, then offered a bite to Luke. He leaned over, took a bite, then licked frosting from my finger. That action inspired a lot of catcalls from our audience. “Oh my gosh.” I groaned and buried my face in Luke’s chest.
He laughed and hugged me close.
Rose cleared her throat. “I see that Violet and I will be fighting for maid of honor duties now.” Everyone laughed. Rose held up her coffee. “But first—let’s toast to Diana. We all miss her. And let’s not forget that it was her and Mom who started this whole thing. Aren’t you glad you didn’t end up with me, Luke?” He laughed and squeezed my waist. “To Diana, to Luke and Lily, and to you too, Mom. Cheers!” We all cheered, then Luke and I were passed around the room to receive hugs and well wishes and lots of “Finally! When’s thewedding?” My ring was examined and Diana was remembered fondly, which choked Luke up. Finally, it was just Luke and me at a table in the corner sipping coffee and eating cupcakes while the room disappeared around us. I was so happy that everything else faded away. I looked into Luke’s eyes and knew down to my bones that no matter what happened, we would get through it. Together this time.
The party carried on for a couple of hours before people started filtering out, back to their own lives. The happy bubble was coming to an end, but I was still riding the high.
Violet had yet to give up my baby, so Calla was content. I had relented and let Dylan have a cupcake, so he was content as well. Luke and I were still attached at the hip, so we were both super content. This day was the best I’d had in a long time.
