Page 94 of Hide and Sneak
He beams at me as I explore the dollhouse and look through the furniture. It brings back memories of all the happy hours playing with it as a child. Amos fell on it wrestling around when I was nine and it couldn’t be repaired.
“I know the perfect spot for it in my apartment, right in the window.”
The new puppy comes romping into the room, chased by Dusty, and we laugh as they crash into the wall before runningback out of the room. “We’d better put it somewhere safe until then,” I suggest.
“I’ll put it in the closet for the night.” He gets to his feet. “Meet you in bed?”
I can’t remember a time when I was this happy. Not with my job, or home, or relationship. The business wasn’t the only risk I took, and now look at me. Ridiculously, hopelessly in love. I reach up and squeeze his hand. “Every night.”
EPILOGUE
LILA
TWO AND A HALF YEARS LATER
The bell dingsabove the door, and I look up to see Maren and Cooper walk into Planet Playland. I’m not sure what they’re doing here, but I give them a wave and they walk over to me. “Are you busy?” Maren asks. “Can you get away for a quick second to talk?”
“Sure. Hang on.” I text one of my employees to come and watch the front counter while I take a break. It’s almost closing time anyway and there aren’t many people here. “Is everything okay?”
They follow me over to one of the tables where Cooper slaps down some papers. “Everything is great. Now sign this.”
I raise my eyebrows at his demand and sit down to read it. It’s paperwork to transfer the deed of the building to me. When I look over at him, he adds, “You said you’d accept the building from us as a gift if your business did well. You’re killing it here so no more excuses.”
I know it’s nothing to him because he has so much money, but it’s a huge deal for me. I’ve struggled with it and tried toargue that I could make payments or they could sell it to me through a contract, but he won’t hear it.
“Does he boss you around?” I ask Maren, and she smirks.
“He tries to. But I’m on his side.” She sits across from me. “You’ve done a great job here. You’re packed every weekend and all summer. You’ve earned it whether you think so or not. If it makes you feel better, we totally paid off Cara and Row’s house as a wedding gift.”
They tied the knot a couple of weeks ago and just returned from their honeymoon. Of course, Maren wants to help her friends now that she has money. I would’ve done the same and so would Cara.
“I love you both, you know that?” I ask, tearing up as I sign the paperwork.
“We love you too,” Maren says.
Our attention is diverted by the sound of running footsteps, and tiny arms wrap around my leg. “Lala!” She looks up at me with bright blue eyes. “Sit down?”
“No, Sutton isn’t here today.” The way she says his name is hilarious.
“Sorry if she interrupted!” Mandy exclaims, scooping up my niece, Hanna. “She’s such a terror since she turned two.”
“Aw, not with that sweet face, she couldn’t be,” I tease, taking her from Mandy and kissing her cheek. She only lets me hold her for a second before clambering to get down and run off again. Mandy throws me an amused, exhausted look as she goes after her.
“She looks like Amos,” Maren says, watching her. “Except the hair.”
“Yeah, she definitely has his face.” Her gorgeous fiery hair came straight from her mother.
“Does he still see her?” she asks as Cooper wanders away to talk on his phone.
“She stays with him and Mom every other weekend.”
Mandy and Amos’s reconciliation didn’t last long, not even until the baby was born. Mandy is doing great. She works from home and recently bought a small house for her and her daughter. Mom moved out of her apartment and into a cheaper two bedroom on the other side of town so Amos could live with her. It’s her retirement fund that’s paying his child support as well, but that’s none of my business.
Things have never gone back to normal between me and them but that isn’t a bad thing. I still see them sometimes and we keep things civil.
After Maren and Cooper have left, I close up the place, then call Sutton to give him the good news. He’s thrilled for me and insists on taking me out to celebrate.
“Go get ready,” he says. “I’ll be there soon.”
