Dirty (22 page)

Epilogue

“Congratulations Noelle and Paul! May your second store be as successful as the first. This toast is for you!” Simone held up her champagne flute and saluted the two business partners on the successful opening of their second bakery.

The rest of the dinner guests held up their glasses. Noelle and Alyssa had sparkling apple cider in their glasses. Both women looked like they were very close to popping. Once they all offered their salute
,
everyone took a sip from their glass.

Noelle sat back in her chair, folding her hand over her protruding belly. “I think this dinner party was a success everyone. I hope everyone has had enough to eat.”

“Are you kidding me? We’ve been eating since we first got here,” Craig noted
as he
patted his own now slightly bloated stomach.

“Well, I hope you have room for dessert. I’ll be right back.”

“Let me help,” Simone offered.

“Sure. Thank you.”

“Do you need me to come
,
too?” James asked.

“No. You keep the guests entertained.” She patted her husband on the shoulder.

“Everything came together tonight without a hitch.” Noelle sighed as she arranged cupcakes on a platter.

“Yep. Unlike the last
time
.”

“Don’t worry about that. I’m just glad to know you’re in a good place now.”

This was the first time they had all gotten together since Noelle’s first disastrous dinner party. With everyone’s busy schedule
s,
it had been difficult to pin everyone down
to a date
for them to come together like this
but
it worked out perfectly, because
of
the grand opening of the second Dot’s
, which
had opened earlier that week. The place had been packed. There was no doubt in Simone’s mind that it would be as big a hit as the first store.

Simone had recently moved her boutique into a larger spot which seemed to be working out. She had plans to make more of her outfits available in other outlets. Her business was thriving but her personal life was even better. She and Paul had discussed moving in with each other. They were practically living together
anyway
. When she wasn’t spending the night at his place, he was at hers. Instead of one of them moving into the other’s house, they both decided they’d sell and buy a new house to make a fresh start.

Paul was like a dream come true. Every day he told her how beautiful she was and how much he loved her. He’d do romantic things like leave sticky notes around the house with loving messages. He’d stop by the boutique and bring her a treat from the bakery or flowers for no reason. Paul had all the girls at the boutique wishing they had Paul of their own.

Simone still continued therapy and it helped her cope with her issues in a healthy way. Paul had sought his own counseling and overall
,
it had made them closer still. She’d finally found happiness and she liked it.

“I am in a good place. Paul makes me so happy. Sometimes
,
I pinch myself to make sure I’m not in a dream.”

“I feel that way myself. But after everything you’ve been through, no one deserves happiness more than you.”

“Thanks cuz.”

“I’m actually glad we got a chance to be alone because James and I have been talking and we’d like for you and Paul to be the godparents to our child.”

“Really?”

“Yes. I wouldn’t have anyone else.”

“I’d be honored and I’m sure Paul will as well
,
although I’ll let him answer for himself.” She hugged her cousin. Simone had come to terms with the fact that she’d never give birth but as Paul suggested
,
if she ever got the strong urge to be a mother, adoption was always an option. In the meantime, being a Godmother was the next best thing.

“Of course you know whenever I babysit, I’m going to spoil this kid rotten.”

Noelle chuckled. “I wouldn’t expect anything less.”

Simone was grinning ear to ear when they returned with the desserts. Paul gave her a smile. “You seem pretty happy about something.”

“I just got some good news.”

He raised a brow. “
Am
I allowed to know what this good news
is?”

“You’ll know soon enough.” Simone didn’t want to spoil the surprise for him. She thought it best that he heard it from James or Noelle.

“But not now?”

“Nope.”

“Well, in that case, I say we have some dessert. Here, let me get you one.” He placed a cupcake on her plate.

“I’ve stuffed my face enough. I can’t eat
this
whole thing.”

He handed her a knife.
“
Cut it in half and we’ll split it.”

“Okay.” As she sliced into it
,
she hit something that felt like a rock. Picking the muffin up
,
she broke it apart with her fingers and a ring plopped on her plate. Her mouth fell open with a gasp.

That
’s
when she noticed the entire table was silent and watching her expectantly. They must have all known in advance. “Is this what I think it means?”

Paul picked up the ring and brushed off the crumbs. “Simone
,
I love you. I can’t think of any other woman I’d rather spend the rest of my life with. Would you do the honor of becoming my wife?”

She burst into tears. Happy ones. “Yes,” she managed to get out between sobs.

Paul slipped the ring on her finger before taking her into his arms. She barely registered the cheers that went up around her. Nothing else existed except her and Paul.

Misha and Orisa’s story:
SAVAGE
coming in 2016

About the Author

New York Times and USA Today Bestselling Author Eve Vaughn has always enjoyed creating characters and stories from an early age. As a child she was always getting into mischief, so when she lost her television privileges (which was often), writing was her outlet. Her stories have gotten quite a bit spicier since then! When she’s not writing or spending time with her family, Eve is reading, baking, traveling or kicking butt in 80’s trivia. She loves hearing from her readers. She can be contacted through her website at:
www.evevaughn.com

.

Books by Eve Vaughn:

GianMarco: Blood Brothers Book 1

Niccolo: Blood Brothers Book 2

Romeo: Blood Brothers Book 3

Jagger: Blood Brothers Book 4

Dante: Blood Brothers Book 5

The Kyriakis Curse

The Kyriakis Legacy

Whatever He Wants

Finding Divine

Run