Page 45 of Just for Her
Epilogue: Allison
“There’s still somethingI don’t understand,” Vinnie’s fiancée, Haven, said. “How did Caleb know where to find Miriam?”
“I was wondering that too,” Nick’s fiancée, Kat, said.
All eyes turned to me.
We sat at a large table in Mama C’s restaurant in a back room reserved forfamiglia, as Paul called his family. I’d thought I’d be uncomfortable or at least nervous, but I wasn’t. From the moment I’d stepped in the door and Paul’s mother wrapped her arms around me, I’d felt as if I was finally where I belonged.
“Stella,” I said simply.
They gaped at me in disbelief.
“Stella? As in Paul’s assistant, Stella?” Gina asked.
“Former assistant,” I corrected. “And yes.”
Together, Paul and I proceeded to relay what we’d figured out.
Those chivers I’d been feeling? Those had come from Stella stalking me. Apparently, she didn’t like the time and attention he had been giving me and blamed me for Paul letting her go.
She used the extra keys she’d had made and snuck into the office at night, snooping around. She found the case file I’d made, and that was how she knew about Caleb. She’d thought that by contacting him, she’d get rid of me and clear the path for her to come back to Paul.
“That’s someFatal Attractionshit right there,” Dom said, earning himself a smack in the back of the head. “Sorry, Ma.”
Gina pointed her fork at Paul. “Iknewthere was something wrong with her, but Mr. Innocent Until Proven Guilty here didn’t believe me.”
I felt more than saw Paul’s anguish and rose to his defense. Once we’d put the pieces together, he’d blamed himself for not seeing the warning signs and doing something earlier.
“Don’t blame Paul. Crazy is easier to see when you’re on the outside, looking in. Caleb fooled Miriam for years by making her believe that he was ‘misunderstood.’ And Paul believed Stella really wanted to make something better of herself.”
He squeezed my thigh beneath the table while Mama C herself shot me a look of approval.
“So, what happens now? Are you going to press charges?” That from Sofia.
“It’s something we’re not ruling out,” Paul said carefully. “Stella’s gone to stay with her mom in New Jersey. We’ve informed Stella’s attorney that we strongly recommend counseling and have agreed not to pursue further legal action at this time as long as Stella abides by the restraining order.”
“And Caleb?”
“There’s no doubt he’ll be convicted and serve some serious time.”
People started getting up shortly after that. I followed suit, picking up my plate and carrying it back to the kitchen. I loved how everyone pitched in without question.
What I loved even more? Seeing my super-hot boyfriend rolling up his sleeves and tying an apron around his waist. I imagined him wearing that apron—andonlythat apron—while whipping up something amazing in his—our—apartment. He was an incredible cook, which was good, because I was definitely more of a frozen-entrée kind of girl.
And, yes, I’d moved into Paul’s apartment. I knew it seemed quick, but it made perfect sense. Miriam needed her own space, and it hadn’t seemed practical for me to get my own place when Paul had an extra bedroom just sitting there, unused.
One thing about Paul and me, we were practical.
Another thing? Beneath our cool, professional exteriors, we were both extremely passionate people. Let’s just say that when Paul was working overtime these days, it wasn’t at the office.
I was perfectly okay with that. Spoiler alert: that extra bedroom was still unused.
“Do you think you could take one of those aprons home with you?” I whispered in his ear.
