The Noel Bridge

Epilogue

Four Months Later

“ T he apartment looks beautiful!” Evelyn said as she walked into Alicia’s home.

She’d finally gotten the finishing touches complete.

Milly yipped excitedly and followed Evelyn into the living room.

“How did you get everything so beautiful so quickly?” Evelyn asked, reaching down to stroke Milly’s head. “I swear I left you still unboxing two days before my trip.” She handed Alicia one of Deloris’s pies.

“Leo helped.” Alicia set the pie down, pulled a party tray of cheese and fruit from the fridge, and began slicing a baguette while addressing Evelyn in the open space over the bar. “How was the weekend away with Andy? Tell me everything.”

Evelyn melted into the leather sofa in a swoony lump and put her wrist on her forehead. “It was incredible. We spent a day at the spa in New York getting couples’ massages. Then he took me to dinner at this stunning restaurant where we had filet and champagne. We slept in, and then walked all around the city. When we got tired, he paid for a carriage ride, and we spent the rest of the day talking and laughing. He’s so wonderful.”

Alicia brought the tray over to the coffee table, scooting it far enough to be out of Milly’s reach. “I’m so happy for you.”

Evelyn jumped up and grabbed Alicia’s arm. “Before we left, he took me into Tiffany’s.”

Alicia gawked at her. “To window-shop?”

Evelyn shook her head and waved her hand, showing off a sparkly ring. “It’s a promise ring.”

“Oh, my gosh!” Alicia plowed into her friend with a hug, nearly knocking her over, the two of them wobbling and giggling.

“He gave it to me right there in the store.”

Alicia clapped a hand over her mouth, delighted for her friend.

The doorbell rang, distracting them. Alicia opened the door to find Andy holding a bottle of white wine.

“Get in here!” She grabbed the lapel of his coat and dragged him into the living room. “Evelyn just showed me some jewelry that was purchased over the weekend.”

Andy’s face reddened before he handed her the wine. “Happy housewarming.”

“Thank you,” Alicia said, accepting the bottle.

While she tugged the cork, the doorbell rang again, and Evelyn let in Leo and Dean.

“You’re just in time for a toast,” Alicia called hello to Leo before giving the cork another tug, the wine opening with an airy pop when she got it loose.

Leo came over to her, set a bouquet of flowers on the counter, and gave her a kiss before cuddling Milly, who was overjoyed to see him, her tail wagging furiously .

Alicia picked up the bouquet and took in the scents of lilac and rose. “These are beautiful, thank you.”

“Of course.”

“We’re celebrating,” she said, filling the stemware she’d set out.

“Oh?” Leo asked.

“Andy and Evelyn are exclusive. He gave her a promise ring,” she told him as she pulled a vase from under the counter and filled it with water. She unwrapped the bouquet and placed the flowers into the vase, the bright colors giving the kitchen a vibrance it hadn’t had before.

On the other side of the bar, Evelyn was already showing her ring to Dean as he sat in a chair across from the fireplace. “Double-date time!” she called over her shoulder.

Alicia slid the glasses of wine to the edge of the counter to take them into the living room. Leo stood behind her and put his arms around her waist.

“How long did you say I have to wait before you’ll consider taking the next step with me?” he asked into her ear, making her laugh.

“I want to be sure I’m standing on my own two feet first. And we don’t want to rush it.”

“Why not?” He nibbled her ear. “I already know what I want.”

She abandoned the wine and turned toward him, his hands pinning her to the counter. He pressed his lips to hers, their warmth still taking her breath away. Then he pulled back, his gaze swallowing her.

“I’m monopolizing you and you have guests.”

“Yes,” she said, but she didn’t try to move. She could’ve stayed in his eyes the rest of the night.

After a moment, she handed him two glasses and then poured a few more. “The Fergusons should be here any minute. And Tabitha is coming… Dean, do you want any wine?”

“Just a little,” he said as the puppy sniffed his shoes.

Alicia and Leo took the glasses into the living room and handed them out.

“Before everyone gets here, I’d like to propose a toast,” she said. “To love.” She raised her glass. She stopped to take in the coziness of the peppermint scent from her candles, the firelight, and her favorite people around her. She peered past them to the turn where the bridge sat waiting for the next wish. Life could certainly be hard, but the difficult times had made her appreciate what she had so much more. She knew she wouldn’t need the bridge ever again. Maybe there would be more hard times, but she had wonderful friends and family to get her through.

She couldn’t imagine a more perfect future.