Total pages in book: 98
Estimated words: 95049 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 475(@200wpm)___ 380(@250wpm)___ 317(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 95049 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 475(@200wpm)___ 380(@250wpm)___ 317(@300wpm)
“Mama did it!” Leo shrieks.
“She did, buddy.” Lorenzo sets me down and takes Leo from Matteo’s arms since Dani’s pushing the double stroller, housing Alba and their newest tiny edition, Matthew Antonov—born six weeks ago via C-section.
“We need a family picture,” Bri says, pulling her phone out.
I was shocked when everyone showed up for my graduation, assuming only Nicole and her fiancé, James, would be here.
When I told Lorenzo as much, he looked at me like I was crazy and said, “That’s what family does. They show up for each other.”
“We do,” Lorenzo agrees. “But first, this …” He pulls a thin square box out of his pocket and hands it to me.
“A graduation present?” I ask, pulling the ribbon off.
“Open it,” he insists.
I lift the lid, and nestled inside is a necklace similar to the one he had made for me, which was taken. Only this time, instead of one playing card, there are two.
“Because every king belongs with his queen,” he says, kissing me softly.
“Thank you.”
I lift my hair, and while Bri holds Leo, Lorenzo puts the necklace on me.
While he takes his son back and slides his arm around my waist, I glance down at the necklace, loving that it’s back on me, where it belongs.
“Say cheese,” Bri says, and we smile for the camera.
“Okay, now one with your sister,” Bri says.
We take a few more pictures before Leo starts to get antsy since he missed his nap to attend my graduation, and we head out.
“So,” Lorenzo says as we walk to where we parked, “what’s next?”
“I was thinking we’d go home,” I tell him, taking Leo from him and setting him in his car seat. Once he’s buckled in, I stand and face Lorenzo.
“We’re actually going to lunch first and then home,” he says with a soft smile. “But I meant for your future.”
“Me too,” I say, realizing that we’ve been so wrapped up in living for the moment that we haven’t discussed what comes next. But I thought when I turned down Kora’s job offer in LA—after the successful drop of my clothing line, partnered with hers—he knew it meant there was only one place I wanted to live. “As much as I’ve enjoyed my time here, the only place that’s home is Harbor Point.”
Lorenzo’s eyes light up. “You sure about that?” he asks, tugging me toward him.
“Yes. My home is with you and Leo and my sister and our family and friends, and that’s in Harbor Point.”
Lorenzo cradles my head, and his mouth crashes over mine. The kiss is quick but filled with so much emotion.
“I was hoping you’d say that,” he murmurs against my lips. “Because I have another graduation gift I can’t wait to give you.”
“Ohh.” I smile. “When do I get it?”
“Once we’re home … in Harbor Point.”
“Well then, what are we waiting for? There’s nothing left for us here. Let’s go home.”
“Oh my God, Nicole! When you told me you were opening another location for your coffee shop, you didn’t tell me how amazing it was!”
Lorenzo, Leo, and I flew back with everyone to Harbor Point. He’s having the movers pack up our stuff and ship it back, but the moment I told him I wanted to move home, he was completely on board with leaving immediately.
After we arrived at the condo and settled in, Lorenzo said he wanted to show me my other graduation gift, so after dropping Leo off at Dani and Matteo’s place, he drove us to Blue Harbor—the South Harbor waterfront expansion project the guys had been working on for the last couple of years. With Leo’s life at risk only a few months ago, I’ve been having a hard time letting him out of my sight. But at least with Dani and Matteo, I know he’s safe.
“Thank you.” Nicole beams. “When the guys came to me and mentioned wanting to put a coffee shop in Blue Harbor, I considered moving my shop here, but then Bri asked why I could only have one shop, and it hit me that she was right. My location downtown is thriving, so I can focus on opening this new location. And with it being right next to Bri’s Pilates studio, the traffic is going to give me guaranteed customers.”
“I’m so excited for you. And for Bri too.”
Successfully opening not one, but two locations is the stuff dreams are made of, and I’m so happy they’re able to do so. But …
I glance at Lorenzo in confusion. “Is this my gift?”
As happy as I am for Nicole’s and Bri’s new locations, I don’t see how this would be my gift.
Lorenzo chuckles. “No, Wild Card, this isn’t your gift. Come with me.”
He threads his fingers through mine and guides me out the door.
We walk past Bri’s studio, which is currently under construction, and stop in front of an empty storefront.