Page 119 of Fallen Hearts

With every step, I replayed our time together, one thing left I’d been wanting to say to her.

“I’m sorry,” I called up, when I was close enough that I knew she could hear me. “For kicking you out that first day.”

“I thought you didn’t apologize,” she called back.

“I don’t.”

Pia opened her mouth, likely to explain how I’d done that very thing just now. I beat her to the punch.

“There are rules. And exceptions. You, my sweet Pia, are an exception.”

“Exception? Or exceptional?”

Finally, I reached her. “Both.”

EPILOGUE

PIA

“Happy New Year,” everyone cheered around us. I kissed Mason and surveyed the room. Our first major gathering in the newly renovated meeting space was, for all intents and purposes, a success. The fact that we were sold out on a weekend that was typically only half-filled, and that we’d made so much progress in just a few months, was almost as fulfilling as kissing the man who would be my husband.

“Look at this,” he said with a sweep of his hand. “This is all you.”

“Not all me,” I argued. “I’d say it was both of us.”

“Fine. Mostly you.”

“I’m just sorry Beck couldn’t make it with work.”

“You’re not sick of him?” Mason asked as the revelry continued around us. The sax player whose name we got from Maggie began to play once again—the New Orleans-themed party was a perfect opportunity for our first Heritage Hill and the Big Easy partnership.

“Not yet. At least Parker’s here,” I said as Mason’s friend joined us.

“Nice job, you two.”

“Thanks to you,” I said, snatching a glass of champagne from the caterer’s tray, “we have a space to do this. I still can’t believe how different it looks without the wall.”

“And with some paint, a new floor and windows, among other things,” Parker said, looking around.

“Speaking of paint and a new floor,” Mason said. “How’s the new job coming?”

Parker’s face said it all.

“Guess we don’t want to know?” I asked.

“No. You don’t.”

“Jack?” Mason frowned.

“Always.”

“They say people don’t quit their job, they quit their bosses.” I smiled knowingly at Mason.

“Thankfully we’re partners. Or will be soon,” he said. “Don’t want to worry about you quitting on me.”

“No chance of that,” I said.

“While the two of you continue to fawn all over each other, I’m going to hit the chocolate fountain,” Parker said.

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