Chapter 40: Epilogue

LILLIAN

Spring was the ideal time to kick back and savor homemade lemonade in the garden of Maggie and Asher. The last time Lillian had been here was two winters prior, and since that visit to her folks, she and Noah hadn’t really had the chance to travel much.

Her parents and his dad had come to visit a few times, and both families had gathered in town to celebrate Christmas. This was their first journey in quite a while.

Molly was a tiny whirlwind of energy, as cute as a button, darting around the garden in pursuit of Bitch.

“God, I needed this,” Lillian exhaled with satisfaction. “You should have invited your friends to join us.”

“Next time.”

“I’m not sure when next time will be.”

“You two are working a lot, aren’t you?”

“Yeah. I’m now fully in charge of the tea shop.”

“Is it true that your boss handed it over to you completely?”

“It’s true. Initially, he left to be with his children and grandchildren in Japan. Then, he decided he had fulfilled his wife’s dream as best he could.”

“His wife’s dream?”

“The tea shop was mostly his late wife’s idea. So, when he saw that it had become my dream, he passed it on to me. You know, the greatest compliment I’ve ever received was when Hikaru told me I’d made the tea shop thrive and that he was proud of me.”

“Noah says you’ve done a great job without compromising its identity or its soothing atmosphere.”

“The Noah I know wouldn’t use those words.”

“Yeah, we were all stunned when he did. And I think Hikaru isn’t the only one who’s proud of you.”

It was one of the few times she felt her cheeks heat up.

“Well, we’re both pretty impressive, I guess,” she joked. “Has he told you about his accomplishments?”

“He didn’t need to. Asher is supplying him with the software he uses to expand his travel platform. He’s doing a good job.”

“He is. He’s still very cautious, but the profits are steadily increasing. Now, enough about us. Tell me about you.”

NOAH

“I can’t believe none of my sons want to get married,” Tyler Ryder grumbled.

“Noah is the oldest,” Asher quickly pointed out.

“I’ve already been there, done that,” Noah shrugged. “And we all know how that ended.”

“That’s not an excuse,” Asher shot back.

“Well, you’re the one who’s already a father, brother.”

“So what?”

“You’re closer to the altar than I am.”

“Lillian might get pregnant any day now with the way you two are going at it.”

“Yeah, pot meet kettle, Ash.”

“Do you two realize your father is part of this conversation?” their dad scolded.

“Sorry, Dad. We forgot you weren’t getting any,” Asher said innocently.

In the past, he would have glared at his brother for his audacity, but now he found it amusing. So he laughed. They both laughed while their father glared at them.

“Still, Asher should go first,” he said, trying to keep a straight face.

“I’m not getting married just to let you off the hook, you jerk.”

LILLIAN

Lillian and Maggie watched the two men argue, trying to stifle their laughter.

“They’ll never change,” Maggie said.

“Were you hoping they would?” Lillian scoffed.

“Nope. I’ve given up hope, but at least their rivalry has become healthier.”

“And funnier.”

“You’re not really thinking about marriage, or is Noah just trying to rile up his father?”

“Nope. Marriage isn’t for us. Not yet, at least. We don’t even think about it.”

“You’re happy the way you are.”

“Yes, we are,” she grinned.

It was strange. They hadn’t defined it. They hadn’t had the talk about their relationship. They both knew where they stood. They were together, and that was that.

“I can relate to that,” Maggie nodded.

“I’m sure you can. But doesn’t it complicate things with the child?”

“No. Not yet. I won’t pretend that every day is a party with Molly around, because it’s not. But I love my daughter, and I love Ash. Some days are harder than others, but overall, I’m happy and I have a good life. I’ve told you my story. I still don’t take happiness for granted.”

“If we were wise, we wouldn’t take anything for granted.”

Maggie nodded. “Cliché question, but have you thought about having kids?” she asked.

“No way. I’m not saying it’s impossible, but no. It’s not even a consideration, let alone a plan.”

“I just think you’d be great with kids, and I’m not trying to persuade you or anything.”

“Really?” she arched an eyebrow.

Her parents had been on her case about it, and her sister too. Even Hikaru had broached the subject once, but he knew better than to push it.

“I’ve mentioned before that I’m not exactly a kid person, right? Plus, if you haven’t noticed, most of the people I hang out with don’t have kids, except for Brad and Leo.”

“I hadn’t really thought about that.”

“I was mostly just curious, and I’ve seen how sweet you are with Molly.”

“Your daughter is a doll. But it’s easy to be nice for a few hours.”

“No, trust me. It’s not easy. It’s a talent.”

Lillian gave a small smile. “Maybe. But I’m still not ready to be a mom, and Noah isn’t exactly father material, unless you’re using the term in a naughty way.”

They both burst into laughter.

NOAH

“So, it looks like you’ve found your better half, brother.” Asher smirked, nodding toward Lillian and Maggie.

He followed his brother’s gaze to where the two women were laughing. He’d never admit it, but the sight warmed his heart.

“My better half?” He scoffed.

“Yes. Your better half. You’re a lucky bastard, Noah, and you know it.”

“How so?”

“Well, both women you’ve been with are better than you deserve, especially Dorothy.”

“I didn’t realize you were so fond of her.”

“I never disliked her. She was just a bit too timid for my taste. But she was still better than you, and I always wondered how she put up with you.”

“And Lillian is better too.”

“Yes, but you’ve improved as well.” Asher smiled, and Noah looked up at him, surprised.

“It’s true. And your business is doing well.”

“I wouldn’t say it’s thriving.” He shrugged. “But it is growing steadily, and I’m relieved that I’m not drowning in debt.”

His brother nodded, then gave him a strange look before speaking again. “Marry her.”

“What?” He laughed in disbelief.

“Lillian. Marry her.”

“I’ve been down that road before, and it’s not for me.”

“You haven’t tried it with her.”

“Like I told you earlier, you’re not in a position to talk when you haven’t married Maggie, even after having a kid.”

“I know. But the truth is, I wouldn’t mind marrying her. She’s just not ready, and I respect that.”

“Well, neither of us is ready to tie the knot, as you put it.”

“I would marry Maggie tomorrow if she said she wanted to. You two have been together for what? Two years?”

“We’re getting there, but that’s not the point. We’re happy and we don’t want anything more.”

“She still has her own apartment?”

“Yes, and I haven’t asked her to give it up. More options for sex, and since she can afford it, it’s not really my business.”

“You’re too nonchalant about it.”

“Maybe because I am.” He shrugged again. He wasn’t a liar, and he had no reason to pretend to be something he wasn’t.

“I have a key to her apartment, and she has one to mine,” he explained.

“I wanted to be with Maggie all the time when we were together. I still do.”

“We’re not very alike, as I’m sure you know,” Noah teased.

“People in love are pretty similar, brother.”

“Not everyone falls in love the same way. Lillian and I have an understanding. We don’t pressure each other, and it’s been working out fine.”

“Oh, but you do see her every day,” Asher chuckled.

That was true, of course, but he didn’t bother admitting it. He knew that no matter how many years passed and how much their relationship improved, they would never be really close.

He was okay with that because he didn’t need a best friend. He wasn’t the type to crave one. For him, respect and the ability to have a conversation without wanting to rip each other’s throats out was enough.

Later, they left his brother’s place and returned to their hotel. His father had insisted they stay with him, but they had declined every time because they needed their privacy.

To put it bluntly, they needed to have sex without being disturbed or having to keep quiet. He could afford a suite, and despite her protests, he happily paid for it.

Once they were inside, she stopped protesting. She was particularly fond of the bathroom.

“Did they give you a hard time?” she asked, her dress sliding off her body.

“They tried,” he replied, his eyes appreciating her form. “Did Maggie share anything with you?”

“No, not really. She was chill. We mostly gossiped about you guys.”

“Hmmm,” he responded, unbuttoning his shirt.

“You know, you don’t have to wear shirts when you’re not working,” she pointed out.

“That’s why I’m taking it off.”

“That’s not what I meant, Noah,” she said, rolling her eyes.

“I know,” he replied, moving closer to her.

“You don’t want to get married, do you?” he asked, tilting his head to the side.

“Did someone suggest that I might?” she asked, her brow furrowing.

“No. I just want to make sure we’re on the same page.”

“If I said I wanted to get married, would you break up with me?” she asked.

“No. But I’d be surprised.”

“No, I don’t want to get married, and I don’t not want to get married. I don’t really care. But I do know that I don’t want kids.”

“Where did that come from?” he asked, laughing.

“When marriage comes up, kids are usually next. I thought I’d save you the trouble of asking,” she explained.

“Good. I’m still not a fan of kids.”

“But you play with Molly and with Dorothy’s kid when we visited them two days ago.”

“Those are exceptions, and I only had to deal with them for a few hours.”

She burst out laughing.

“Why are you laughing?”

“I said the same thing to Maggie when she mentioned how good I was with Molly,” she explained, still chuckling.

He pulled her close by her waist and kissed her. “I love it when we’re on the same wavelength.”

“Which is a rare occurrence, thank God,” she teased.

“Absolutely. I wouldn’t want it any other way.”

“Of course. There isn’t another woman who could put up with you.”

“I think we both know you do more than just put up with me,” he said, his tone serious.

She grinned at him and leaned in for another kiss. Maybe she’d let him take her in the bathroom tonight. Because he was right; she did more than just tolerate him.

End of Book 2