“Neither can we,” I said.
Just like before, another buzz from another phone broke the moment. This time it was Caleb’s.
He checked his phone, his expression turning grave. Something was wrong.
“What’s going on?” I asked.
“I just got a text from Billy.”
My blood ran cold at the name.
“Your brother?” asked Maggie. “As in, the one who kidnapped Sierra?”
“That’s the one,” I said, shifting uncomfortably in my seat.
Not knowing what else to say, I turned to Caleb.
“What does he want?” I asked.
“He wants to know what I’m doing, and if I’m with you.”
“Oh shit,” said Maggie. “This is getting real.”
Another buzz sounded from Caleb’s phone. He checked the screen.
“He says he wants to talk to you about something, but that he’ll understand if you don’t want to see him.” He reached over and took my hand. “Babe, it’s your call. If you want me to tell him to stay away, I will.”
I said nothing for a time, trying to wrap my mind around what was happening. On the one hand, I didn’t want to see Billy ever again. But on the other, he was my lover’s brother. If Caleb was going to be a part of my life, then Billy would have to be too.
And, granted, it was only from a text message, but I got the impression he felt bad about the whole thing.
I took a deep breath and spoke. “It’s fine. Tell him he can come here.”
“Are you sure?” asked Caleb.
“I’m sure.”
Caleb glanced at me one more time before firing off a message on his phone. Another buzz came seconds later.
“He said he’ll be here in a few minutes.”
I bit my bottom lip, nervous about it all.
“It’s fine,” said Maggie. “We’re here for you, okay?”
I nodded, not sure what to say. The waiter came and we ordered some more wine for the table, and soon we fell into light conversation. Then, over Caleb’s shoulder, I spotted a familiar form coming close. He was tall, handsome, with tattoos all over his arms and neck.
“Shit,” I said. “There he is.”
Maggie turned in the direction I was looking. “That’s him?” she asked. “Wow. He’s…kind of…hot as hell.”
Caleb and I both shot surprised glances in Maggie’s direction.
She grinned sheepishly. “Sorry, bad timing. But it’s true.”
Billy approached the table and, unlike how he’d been the last time I’d seen him, he was humble-looking, almost timid.
“Hey,” he said, his voice soft.
“Hey,” I said.
“Good to see you, brother,” said Caleb. “Have a seat.”
As soon as he did, Maggie’s hand shot out toward him. “I’m Maggie,” she said. “Sierra’s best friend. Nice to meet you.”
The slightest hint of a smile formed on his lips as he took her hand. Their eyes lingered on one another’s for a few beats before he turned his attention to me.
“How’s the job hunt going?” asked Caleb.
“Good, actually. Found an opening at a body shop. They said they could give me a few hours to start off and see where it goes.”
“That’s good,” said Caleb. “Anything on the up and up, right?”
“Right,” said Billy.
Then he turned back to me.
“Sierra…I don’t know how to say this, so I’ll just get right to it. I’m sorry. So damn sorry that I can’t even put it into words. I mean, Caleb’s always been the one who had a way with them, you know? All I can do is apologize and show you and my brother than I can be the man you think I can be.”
There wasn’t a doubt in my mind that his words were sincere. I had all the reason in the world to hold it against him, but I couldn’t.
“I accept,” I said. “It’s a time for fresh starts—for all of us.”
Billy smiled. “I appreciate it more than you know. And thank you for giving me a second chance. I promise I won’t waste it.”
“You can show us how sincere you are by going straight with me,” said Caleb. “I know you can do it.”
“I can do more than that,” said Billy. “Back before I went to jail, I had a little bit of money stashed. Not much, but a little more than I knew what to do with. A friend of mine, this finance type, told me to give it to him before I got put away, said he’d be able to get it to work for me. Not like I was going to be using it, so I did it.”
“Are you serious?” asked Caleb.
“Wow,” said Maggie. “That was smart.”
Billy shrugged. “I talked with him yesterday. Turns out he put it all in some stocks that exploded over the last few years. It was only a few thousand dollars, but now, it’s a hell of a lot more than that. Look.”
He took out his phone and showed the screen to us.
Billy was right—it was a hell of a lot more than that.
“I was going to take a little just to live off until I got on my feet. But the rest…it’s yours, guys. I know you wanted to start that restaurant, and I figure this’ll be more than enough to do that, along with getting a place that you both deserve. I know it’s just money, but it’s also my way of trying to do some good.”
“Billy,” said Caleb. “You really don’t have to do that.”
“I insist. You guys are family now. I want to start treating you like it.”
“Thank you, Billy,” I said. “This is… Wow.”
“Anyway,” he said. “I’m hungry as hell. Lunch on me, guys?”
We went into ordering, more friendly conversation flowing from that.
“Nice tattoos,” said Maggie to Billy. “Where’d you get them?”
Caleb and I shared a knowing look as Maggie and Billy flirted.
The future was looking bright for us all. I couldn’t wait to get started.
Chapter 24
Caleb
Six Months Later
It had taken a hell of a lot of hard work—not to mention plenty of money—but the day had finally arrived.
The restaurant was ready to open.
Sierra and I stood in front of the place. It wasn’t the biggest, fanciest restaurant downtown, but it was ours. We’d named it Sierra’s, after the woman who’d inspired it into reality.
I put my arm around Sierra’s waist, the two of us standing in silence, taking in the sight.
“I can’t believe it,” she said. “We’re actually opening.”
I checked the time. It was a little before nine—the hour we were set to throw the doors open.
“You ready to do this thing?” I asked.
She smiled up at me. “So ready.”
I leaned down and kissed her, our lips lingering on one another’s for a long moment.
“Hey!” called out Maggie. “You guys going to smooch all day or get this place open?”
We looked up to see Maggie standing at the entrance to the restaurant. She was in the black-on-black uniform of the front-of-house staff, having volunteered to pick up a few hosting shifts while we got the place up and running.
“There’s plenty of time for both,” said Sierra.
“And plenty more time for…other things after we close for the night,” I said.
She flashed me a sly smile before I took her hand and led her up the stairs to the entrance. Maggie held the door open for us as we entered.
The place was bustling. Just as we’d hoped, the staff comprised of mostly foster kids, along with a few older managers. They zipped here and there, putting the finishing touches on the tables in the last few minutes before it was time to open up.
We greeted them all, making sure they were ready to go. As we did, the smells of cooking food drifted through the dining area. At the window was Billy, who’d offered to put in a little time as a line cook. He’d been working at the body shop for months and had been doing great. The owner had promoted him to full-time employee and was already ta
lking about an assistant manager position.
And then there was the other matter.
“You guys ready to go?” he asked. “Because we’re ready to serve some hungry people!”
Maggie hurried past us, entering the kitchen and appearing in the line window next to Billy. She stepped up on her tiptoes and planted a kiss on his cheek.
“Easy, bud,” she said. “Almost time.”
“All right, all right,” he said, leaning down and giving her a kiss of his own.
“Look at those two,” said Sierra with a smile. “So sweet it almost makes your teeth hurt, doesn’t it?”
“You know, that’s probably what everyone said about us.”
“Probably still say it, too.”
A chime went off, letting us know it was time to open the doors.
“Everybody ready to do this?” I asked, my voice carrying through the place.
The staff shouted out their affirmatives, and that was that. We went over to the doors and threw them open, a line having formed in the few minutes since we’d been inside.
It didn’t take long before the place was full. The staff was busy at work, and Sierra and I stayed on top of things, making sure all of the guests were full and satisfied.
Everything was going great, but then I spotted two familiar figures stepping through the doors.
Sierra’s mom and dad.
I stood still. We’d spoken occasionally over the last few months, but not much. Our conversations were short and to-the-point, and I couldn’t ever tell whether or not they really approved of Sierra’s new life.
I hurried over to them, Sierra not far behind. We shared a nervous look as we approached her mom and dad, who were dressed in their usual well-made clothes.
“So,” said Dan, looking around. “This is the place.”
“The restaurant we’ve been hearing about all over town,” said Mary.
“This is it,” Sierra said. “And it’s good to see you both.”
“It’s so good to see you two here on opening,” I said.
Dan nodded crisply, and for a moment I worried he was about to let us know how upset he was, how much he didn’t approve.
“Can we get you a table?” I asked.
“We didn’t come to eat,” said Mary. “We came to tell you both how proud we are.”
Sierra and I shared a look of total surprise.
“We weren’t sure about any of this,” said Dan. “But now that we’re here, it looks like you’ve both really made something together.”
“We have,” I said. “And we couldn’t be happier you’re both here to share it with us.”
“Come on,” Sierra said. “Let’s get you two something to eat.”
Her parents considered it.
“Sure,” said Dan with a smile. “Sounds good.”
We led them to a booth, sitting them down and handing out menus.
“We love you, Sierra,” said Dan. “And we’re proud of you. Both of you.”
“And I love you both too,” Sierra said, holding back tears.
She hugged them, and soon the waiter was there to take their orders.
“That went well,” I said.
“It did,” Sierra said. “But there’s something else I need to share with you.”
“What’s that?”
She reached into her pocket and took out a small piece of paper.
“You know how we’ve talked about having so much love between us that it’s almost a crime not to share it?”
I smiled. “Yep, and we both know I’m done with crime.”
“Well, how about sharing it with two more?”
She grinned, taking out the piece of paper and showing it to me.
“Is this what I think it is?” I asked, a smile threatening to break my face as I gazed at the ultrasound printout.
“Yes! We’re having twins!” Sierra almost shouted, throwing her hands in the air and then giving me a huge hug.
It was going to be an amazing year.
Epilogue
Six Months Later: Caleb
Sure, the house was amazing. But all I cared about were the two little girls in front of me.
Sophie and Jane—two adorable twins.
My daughters.
“You’re going to spoil them with attention if you’re not careful, bro,” Billy said on a chuckle.
I turned my attention from the two girls in their carriers, both of them cooing and reaching out toward me. Sophie had her mother’s blue eyes, and Jane had my greens. I couldn’t get enough of them.
Maggie, now sporting a baby bump of her own, stepped into the lakefront tent that served as the ready room for the groom and his best man.
“All right,” she said. “I think it’s time for the girls to see Mom.”
“That makes two of us,” I said with a smile.
“Not until she walks down the aisle, bud,” Maggie said, giving my arm a squeeze before she stepped over to Billy.
I turned to the two of them, Maggie in her champagne-colored maid-of-honor dress and Billy looking sharp in his best man’s tux. Maggie wrapped her arms around Billy’s waist from behind, nuzzling his neck as he finished getting ready.
I had to admit, the two of them were a great match.
“When are the two of you going to finally tie the knot?” I asked, turning my attention away from the girls for a brief moment.
“That’s a darn good question,” said Maggie.
“Let’s get one wedding taken care of first,” Billy said with a smile before he turned, putting his hands on Maggie’s waist and kissing her forehead. “You know there’s nothing I want to do more than marry you, gorgeous.”
She smiled. “Same to you, baby.”
They kissed, the girls sounding out their approval with happy coos as they did.
“All right,” said Maggie. “I was sent on a mission, and I’m going to complete it.” She gave Billy’s hand a squeeze before coming over and picking up the double carrier that held the girls. “Mom needs her baby time before the big event.”
“How’s she looking?” I asked, unable to resist.
“Beautiful, as always,” said Maggie. “Don’t worry, you’ll see before too long.”
I said my goodbyes to Maggie and the girls before she headed out. They weren’t gone two seconds before I started missing them.
Billy came over and put his hand on my shoulder. “Almost time, bro. You ready?”
“I’ve been ready for this since the moment I first saw her.”
Billy laughed. “Such a damn romantic. Come on, let’s go.”
Together he and I left the tent. The day was beautiful—perfect weather and not a cloud in the sky.
The wedding was set to take place on the shore of the lakefront home Sierra and I had recently purchased. The restaurant had been a major success, profits shooting up by the month. We’d made enough to get a place outside of the city, along with plans to open another couple of locations.
But business matters could be worried about another day. Today, I was ready to get married.
The guests were all seated in the rows before the amazing canopy, designed by Sierra and Maggie. There were dozens of people there—friends, family, and staff of the restaurant.
“You know where to go,” said Billy. “See you up there. And good luck.”
He gave my back a hearty slap before heading off to take his place. The music began to play, and I hurried up to the canopy.
It was incredible. Never in my life did I think I’d even get married, let alone have a wedding like that. I spotted Sierra’s mom in the front row, the twins in their carrier next to her. Mary beamed at me.
The music started as I stood waiting for my bride. My heart raced; my stomach was tight.
And then I saw her. Her dad escorting her, Sierra appeared at the back entrance to the house.
She was the most beautiful thing I’d ever seen in my life. Her dress was flowing and white, her hair as blond as the sun.
; The two of them slowly made their way up the aisle, total silence except for the music.
When they finally reached the front, her dad gave me a knowing nod. It had taken some doing, but I’d finally won Dan over.
Then Sierra was in front of me, and all I could do was stare. The pastor went through the words, but there were only two I wanted to say.
“I do.”
She smiled that beautiful smile that I’d fallen in love with so long ago.
“I do.”
We put the rings on and as we kissed wild applause broke out.
And then we kissed.
* * *
A few hours later, Sierra and I officially man and wife, we were sitting with Maggie and Billy at the party. The guests were all dancing, music filling the air as the sun set over the lake.
“So,” I said. “This is it. This is what I’ve been wanting all this time.”
Sierra took my hand. “And I couldn’t be happier.”
“We’ve come a long way,” said Billy. “All of us. And you were right, bro.”
“About what?”
He took Maggie’s hand. “About how love can make you want to be the person everyone else thought you could be.”
They kissed and then headed to the dance floor.
I turned to Sierra. “You’ve made me the happiest man alive, you know.”
“And you’ve made me the happiest woman alive,” she said.
I placed my lips on hers, the party swirling around us as we fell into the embrace.
I broke off the kiss and held her in my arms. “When we first met,” I said, “we were on the edge of making some drastic life changes. You’ve proven that you can make your own choices and create a kick-ass life for yourself. We’ve worked hard and now have a successful business and two beautiful daughters. And we’re really helping people. Life is better than even my wildest dreams.”
“And the best part is, we’ve done it together,” Sierra said. “I love you so much, my handsome conman.”
“Ex-conman,” I said with a grin.
Another kiss. Then I stood, took her hand, and led her onto the dance floor.
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