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“Anyway, an apology is just words if it’s not followed by any kind of action. Declan and I talked about it last night, and I ran it past Harley. If you’re in agreement, Declan can take over managing the finances and business administration, which would leave you free to work on the creative side of things, if that’s what you want.”
I sit there for a few long seconds, absorbing what I’m hearing. “But that doesn’t take the pressure off of you.”
“We’re going to work on that too. I know I need to hire an assistant, so we can see if anyone on our current team would be a good fit, or we can interview. But no matter what, we’re going to hire more staff. You’re right, we’re growing too fast, and we all deserve to have lives outside of Spark House. I’m really sorry. I shouldn’t have flipped out on you the way I did last night. It was unfair and totally my fault.”
“What about the unanimous vote rule?” I ask.
“I think we should change it to majority rules between the three of us. It’s the way it should’ve been from the get-go.”
“I agree,” Harley says with a smile.
“I’m really sorry,” Avery says again, still looking like she’s about to cry.
“It’s okay. We get it. Spark House is your baby, and it’s our family legacy. I get that you want to keep it family-run, and that’s absolutely what it will be, just with a little extra help.”
Avery, Harley, and I stand at the same time and wrap our arms around one another in a tight hug. I glance over Avery’s shoulder at Declan and mouth thank you.
He nods and winks, grinning widely.
My heart is so full of love, for my family, for Declan, who will soon join us, and for Jackson, who I know will be just as happy as I am about this new, wonderful step forward.
Epilogue
BE MY LIGHT IN THE DARK
LONDON
FOUR MONTHS LATER
Hey, what are you doing in here? Harley’s been looking for you.” Jackson startles me, and I nearly drop my clutch on top of a platter of tarts.
“I’m just checking on the food.”
He gives me a look I’m very familiar with. It’s a half smile with an arched eyebrow. It makes his gorgeous face that much more panty-melting. And he really doesn’t need help in that area. He wraps an arm around my waist and pulls me away from the table of appetizers. “Stop working and just be a sister for a day.”
“I wanted to make sure we have the right appetizer assortment. Avery was very clear that it should be classy pub chic.”
“Uh-huh. For someone who’s been pushing to hire more people to manage stuff for you, you’re pretty deep into the micromanaging.”
“Says the biggest micromanager I know.” I poke him in the chest.
He grabs my finger and raises my hand to his lips, kissing my knuckles. “I know. I’m working on it, but your sisters are looking for you and your presence has been requested. She’s walking down the aisle in half an hour and freaking out a little.”
“Avery is? She doesn’t have cold feet, does she?”
“I don’t think so, just struggling with the whole dress situation and talking about walking down the aisle in her soccer jersey.”
“Oh my … no. That cannot happen. The pictures would be horrendous.” I try to push away, but Jackson’s hold on me tightens.
“Before you go, I wanted to tell you that you’re stunning, and I cannot wait to dance with you later.”
“I’m not even wearing my dress.”
“Really? I didn’t even notice.” He glances down and skims the lapel of my shirt. “Huh. Is this my button-down?”
“Maybe.” I give him a coy smile.
“I like that you didn’t even ask to borrow it. It tells me everything I need to know about where we stand.”
“Which is where?”
“Exactly where I want us.” He presses his lips to mine, but doesn’t deepen it.
Instead, he releases me on a quiet sigh. “Please go help your sister with your sister.”
“I’m going. No stops or detours.” I leave him in the dining hall and rush off to find Avery and Harley.
I left them for what I thought was only a few minutes so I could grab us all bottles of water, but then I stopped into the reception room, and I needed to check on the decorations and one thing led to another. Apparently, I’ve been gone a lot longer than a few minutes.
Not ideal on my sister’s wedding day, especially when I’m one of her two maids of honor.
A lot has changed at Spark House since Declan has come on board. With him working with us full-time, it’s freed me up to be more hands-on with the decorating side. It means I get to do what I love creatively, and it also means I enjoy my job that much more. I even have time for my Etsy shop and my boyfriend. It’s been amazing and gratifying to see all of our hard work paying off.
