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I look over to where my mom is stuffing her face with the honey cupcakes with mascarpone frosting and caramelized figs on top. I usually don’t like figs, but man, those suckers are good. My dad stands beside her, doing the same but with the root beer float cupcake in his hand.
“I honestly don’t know why you didn’t quit school sooner. I blame Audrey,” he jokes, and Audrey promptly elbows him in the chest.
“She wouldn’t let me tell anyone! She was confused.”
“She’s not anymore, thank God,” Mom announces, and Dad nods.
“And this doesn’t cost us a penny since Audrey has to pay her.”
When another elbow comes to his chest, they all three laugh as my heart soars. I don’t know why I was so scared. Like everyone said, my parents were nothing but supportive. Of course, they were annoyed that I didn’t tell them sooner so they could have saved some money, but overall, they only wanted me to be happy. And boy am I.
“I couldn’t ask for a better assistant. I’d pay her whatever she wanted.”
And she does, but I still work at the restaurant too. Only because I love it. My aunt gives me a wide smile with nothing but love in her eyes, and I realize how much she loves me. It’s the same love I have for Roman. I know Roman and I will never have a relationship like Audrey’s and mine, but I know for sure I’m going to be a way better aunt than Emery.
For one, I’ll stay out of jail.
I glance over to where my sister is stuffing her mouth with sushi. She stands with all the confidence in the world, along with no cares. Asher and Ally are still not talking to Emery, other than pleasantries. She doesn’t care one bit; she was only worried about getting me to Wes. I swear, I couldn’t have asked for a more deranged sister who would break in to my boyfriend’s house for me. She’s crazy, but she has good intentions…if they serve her. I apologized to Asher since she’d done it for me, but it didn’t matter. He was lectured by my parents and then Ally’s parents for a very long time. Everyone was upset they’d left them out. In my opinion, it was their choice and their moment. Who cares how they did it, only that they did it because they love each other and make each other happy.
No one was hearing me, though. Not that it matters now. Aiden and Shelli have a baby, and Asher and Ally are married. And thankfully, Emery escapes going to jail daily.
It is what it is.
As for me, I’m totally in love with the man of my dreams.
When Wes comes up, wrapping his arm around Emery, she beams up at him, and my heart explodes in my chest. I love their relationship. But boy, do I love him. I adore his resilience, his kindness, and his loving heart. He goes out of his way for everyone. When my dad needed help with the gazebo in the back, Wes volunteered before my brothers did. Whenever my mom needs something done at the restaurant, Wes is there. If I have to work the following morning after a sleepover with him, he comes in with me to help make cupcakes.
And that’s not all.
While the Assassins didn’t make the play-offs, he didn’t allow that to bring him down. He has spent five days a week this summer training to get better, faster, and stronger. He works the ice with Boon and Aiden, along with a lot of the other guys who didn’t go home for the summer. Things are still up in the air in regard to a coach, but the guys are staying positive. With an owner and general manager like Elli and Shelli, they really don’t have a choice.
Wes is also keeping up with caring for his mental health. I’m so proud of him for it, too. I’ve even started going to sessions with him. I wanted to learn how to help him cope if he has issues, but also, I wanted to make our relationship stronger. Love is the foundation, but I know from watching my parents, you have to complement your partner. I want to make sure I know how, and I want him to know I care.
We haven’t had any issues from his sperm donor or the scum of the earth, but Wes was pretty determined about moving. Noelle felt it would be the best for him, for his peace of mind. I agreed, and while it took a few months for us to find this beautiful gem for him, it was totally worth it.
With my mom’s connections in the wine world, she was able to score a spot at the top of the wait list for Wes. It cost her a catering party anytime the owner of the most prestigious gated community in Nashville needed a caterer for the next year, but even she said she wanted Wes to feel safe. In no way do I feel those criminals will ever bother him again, but I like that only people with his code are allowed entry, and even then, they also have to be on his list. While I’m not living here full time, I am on the “always welcome” list.
