He laughs. “There’s the grouchy former boss I’m used to. I’ll see you tomorrow, Rose.”
Troy leaves us, and Rose takes my hand as we slowly make our way to where my family have gathered. Naturally, everyone’s holding iced coffees and frothy blended drinks. Jovie runs over to drag us the last stretch. My parents immediately pull Rose away from me and into their arms for dramatic, one-handed hugs.
“We’re so excited for you,” Mom says when she finally releases her. She reaches over and pats my cheek. “And you, too.”
Lucy moves in close to echo the move. “I’m proud of you, too.”
“Thanks, Luce.” I bat off her play simpering. I know what she’s proud of me for, and it’s not work. I appreciate the cheerleading, but she could tone down the gloating.
She turns to Cassie, who’s wandered over from her own mingling. “You’re good at this party stuff.”
Cassie laughs. “This is the easiest event I’ve been involved with all summer. Lila did half the work.”
“Will wedding season ease up for you now that summer’s almost over?” Luke asks her.
“Not yet. We have as many weddings booked for September as we did for June.” She tucks her hair behind one ear. “Don’t get mewrong, I love it. I haven’t had a bad experience here yet. But I appreciate low-key celebrations like this.”
“I hear karaoke’s a good way to blow off steam.” Nathan’s exceptionally smirky tonight.
A flush creeps over Cassie’s cheeks. “Maybe I’ll try that.”
“A toast.” Dad lifts his iced matcha. “To new adventures.”
We lift our drinks, and my gaze meets Rose’s. “To new adventures.”
“I love this couch,” Rose murmurs.
I slide my hands up her back. “You’re not on it.”
After the last of the congratulators left the shop, I helped Rose close up for the night. We grabbed a quick bite at Delish and collapsed onto her new couch as soon as we walked in the door. I’m spread out on my back with her snuggled on my chest, light filtering down from upstairs casting everything in a golden glow.
She picked out the brightest yellow couch I’ve ever seen. I didn’t even know they made furniture in fabrics that colorful. But it’s plush and comfortable, and I’ve fallen asleep exactly like this a dozen times. Might again tonight.
“But if it wasn’t so cozy, we wouldn’t be able to snuggle like this,” she says.
“Sound logic.”
She props herself up, resting her chin on her folded hands over my sternum. “Thank you,” she says softly. “For everything.”
I glide my hand over her hair and down her shoulder. “You were the right woman for the job.”
I’m certain Harry’s out there somewhere, smiling down on Rose taking over the coffee shop. She’s already making it better, working with a local bakery to add daily pastries into the mix, and her online order system really has streamlined the back-end process. Best of all, she loves the place.
Harry wanted me to do better. Nothing could be better than making Rose happy.
“I don’t just mean the coffee shop. I’m grateful for sure. But…” She shrugs, her gaze growing soft in the dim light. “You see me and support me and trust me in a way nobody ever has before. When I’m with you, I feel like I can just be me. And for the first time, that’s enough.”
My hands splay over her back, pulling her closer, my heart thrumming beneath her. “Firefly, you’re more than enough. You’re everything.”
She leans in, giving me a gentle kiss. The soft press of her lips gives way to playful nips with her teeth. My skin heats, and the kiss is just starting to promise more when Stormy jumps up to join us. We break the kiss to find him staring at us with those striking blue eyes. He head-bonks Rose’s shoulder, then curls up against my side. Soon, his little motor starts up, his purr loud in the stillness.
“Aww,” Rose coos, turning back to me. “He loves you.”
“Grump attracts grump.”
Her grin makes my chest puff up like she handed me the whole world. “Sometimes grump attracts sunshine, too.”
I glide my hands over her back. “I’m grateful every day for that.”
