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“We’ll help you out if that’s what Hunter wants to do,” Brooke said.
“We’ve got you,” I said.
“Thank you. Sometimes it’s hard to balance what’s best for him and for us. Is it too much, or is it just what he needs?”
“Let him try out and see if he makes it. If he isn’t picked, then you don’t have to decide on anything,” I said.
Abby let out a breath. “That’s true.”
Hunter ran out to greet us. “Did you see me pitch?”
“We were right here the whole time. You were amazing. I’m so proud of you,” Abby said as she hugged him.
“We’re all proud of you,” Brooke added.
“You looked great out there.”
“Hunter, you better get back out there. They’re handing out the trophies.” Cammie pointed to the field.
Hunter’s eyes got round, and he rushed back. It was another forty-five minutes of handing out trophies and taking pictures.
“Thanks for coming,” Brooke said to me while we were waiting.
“I wouldn’t have missed it for anything.” I was relying on Christopher more to manage the business so I could spend time with my family, and Brooke and her family had become part of that.
Epilogue
BROOKE
Business at Bean Rush was good. It allowed Ben to leave the store in his manager’s hands and spend much-needed time with his family and me. He’d created a nice niche for himself in the community. The local paper wrote an article on Ben’s passion for beans and his grandfather’s interest in coffee, drawing coffee aficionados from other areas, too. He was making a name for himself, and I couldn’t be prouder.
Ben had already moved into his new house, and I was supposed to join him this weekend.
My business was more up in the air. Sam was able to squeeze me into his schedule by pushing back another project. Insurance paid for the repairs and some of the business interruption, but I didn’t have income from the coffee shop while the construction was being completed. Too much damage had been done to the front of the store.
Ben stopped by each day to check on the progress and support me. It was nice to have him to talk to about my worries. I didn’t worry that he’d use the information against me. I knew we were a team, and for once in my life, I had someone in my corner, cheering me on, which made the entire situation more bearable.
I hoped my rebrand was successful when I was finally able to reopen. Especially since so many people stopped me on the street and in the grocery store to ask about the opening and to tell me how excited they were. Market Tavern would be a nice addition to the town.
Gia even offered to throw a grand reopening party free of charge because she felt bad about the setback, and all the shop owners had come together to offer their help with getting the word out. I no longer relied only on myself because I had my family, Ben and his family, and the entire Shops on Main group assisting me. It wasn’t weak to let everyone in—it was smart.
I dressed in a cocktail dress the night of the party, knowing Ben would be waiting for me when I came out. His parents were watching Cammie for the evening, so we had the entire night to ourselves. I was excited to spend the evening with him, but nervous about how the business would be seen.
Would people support my new idea? Or was it a huge mistake? My hands shook when I swiped the mascara wand under my lashes. I blotted at the blob of mascara that landed on my eyelid, cursing myself for thinking I could handle it myself.
I checked myself one last time in the mirror, hoping I didn’t look as nervous as I felt. And as I walked out of the bathroom, I knew it was probably one of the last times I’d get ready at my rental.
I spent most evenings with Ben and Cammie now that they had their own place. Being with them felt right.
Ben lifted his head from his phone as I entered the bedroom. “Gorgeous.”
I moved toward him, feeling more beautiful than I’d ever felt in my life, and it was all because of the expression on his face, which was a mix of awe and affection.
He stood in front of me, looking handsome in his black suit. I leaned into him, my hands on his chest, flitting over the starch of his pressed white button-down. “You look handsome yourself.”
His hands drifted over my bare back. “I think I need to see the whole picture.”
I pulled back slightly so I could do a spin. When I stopped to face him again, his expression was dark with desire.
