I was back at home before Thanksgiving, and since my place had never sold, we were next door neighbors again—although we spent every night he didn’t have the girls in the same bed.
“I definitely agree you guys are the real deal,” Ellie said, reaching for her margarita. “It’s just that I don’t recall any sort of condition on the bet. You swore off men—all men, even soul mates—until Christmas. And I believe it was sometime in October I heard you declaring your love.”
“After everything I’ve done for you, you’re going to make me get up there?” I cried. “I saved you from dealing with brides every day! I rescued you from your mother!”
In a fabulous stroke of luck, Ellie’s parents had decided to go through with their dream of spending extended time in France—which meant Abelard needed a new events manager. When she heard I might be moving back, she called me and asked if I’d be interested in taking over the job. I’d jumped at the chance, not only because it would mean working where Ellie did, but because I’d always loved Abelard Vineyards. It was half the size of Cloverleigh Farms, and much less majestic than The Alexander, but it was intimate and romantic, and my first month there had been a delight.
Ellie pretended to consider this as she sipped her drink. “You did save me from brides, that’s true. And my mother is off my back since you came on board.”
“See?”
“But no.” Her eyes gleamed. “I still want the song.”
I glared at her. “You’ve watched way too many episodes of Friends.”
“True,” she admitted. “But I’m not sorry.”
The previous singer left the stage, and the emcee called my name. Everyone around us shouted and clapped. “Come on, Winnie!” Millie yelled.
“Winnie! Winnie! Winnie!” Hallie and Luna chanted.
“I’ll pay you,” I said desperately.
Ellie laughed and shook her head. “Get up there, MacAllister.”
Dex patted my shoulder. “Break a leg, babe.”
Reluctantly, I stood up. “If I pull the fire alarm, will you still love me?”
He shoved me toward the stage.
My eyes sought out the red EXIT sign over to one side of the room and I honestly considered making a run for it. But instead, I put my shoulders back, held my head up, and mounted the stage.
Taking the mic, I wished for the millionth time I could sing.
Over at his laptop, the emcee looked at me, and even though my knees were knocking, my hands shook, and my mouth felt drier than the Sahara, I nodded.
The music began, and I put the mic to my lips and tried to find the right notes.
“Her name was Lola.”
My family and friends hooted and hollered encouragement, but I wanted to die. My pitch was even worse than usual because I was so nervous.
“She was a showgirl.”
I looked at Ellie, who was laughing so hard, tears were streaming down her face. I caught Dex’s eye, and he winked, stuck his fingers in his mouth, and whistled loudly. Hallie and Luna had jumped out of their chairs and were dancing between the tables. My mother looked mortified for me, but all four of my sisters and my dad were on their feet, cheering me on.
Not because I was good—I was really, really bad—but because they loved me and supported me no matter what. Somehow it was enough to get me through the song, and thankfully, people had started to sing along, so I didn’t feel so alone.
By the end of the tune, I was laughing too, and when it was over, the place erupted with applause—I’m sure many in the room were just happy it was done. I handed the mic back to the emcee and quickly ran back to my seat. Flushed, I sat down and grabbed my margarita for a huge gulp.
“That was everything I wanted it to be,” Ellie said, still wiping tears.
“It wasn’t terrible?” I said in surprise.
“Oh no, it was terrible,” she assured me. “But I loved it.”
“You were very brave,” Dex said, clinking his beer bottle to my glass. “And even though I’m so grateful you went through that for me, I’m going to have to ask you not to gamble anymore. My eardrums can’t take it.”
“No worries.” I held up my hands. “My betting days are over.”
“I still can’t believe you made that wager in the first place,” said Ellie.
“Hey, I had one hundred percent confidence in myself.” I tipped my head onto Dex’s shoulder. “It wasn’t my fault I lost.”
“Are you blaming this on me?” Dex asked.
“Entirely. If you hadn’t moved in with your grumpy scowl and tight T-shirt, we all might have been spared tonight.”
“Don’t make me give you a lecture on how a man’s clothes are not to blame for a woman’s behavior,” he scolded.
I laughed. “Let’s call it even.”
“Deal.” Leaning close, he whispered in my ear. “As long as I can call you mine.”
Epilogue
One Year Later
WINNIE
“Working on any new stories?” I asked Hallie, dropping onto the foot of her bed. It was the night before Christmas Eve, and we’d spent the evening wrapping presents and baking Christmas cookies at Dex’s place. Snow was falling outside the girls’ bedroom window.
“I’m finishing an old one,” she said, hugging her stuffed penguin.
“Oh yeah?” Dex tucked Luna in and sat on the edge of her bed. “Which one?”
“The one about the ogre and the princess. It’s turning into a love story.”
“Oooh,” I said. “Tell me about it.”
“Well, they’ve been very good friends for a while, but the ogre would like to marry the princess.”
“But he’s an ogre,” Dex argued. “Are they even allowed to marry a princess? I thought her parents wanted her to marry the cruel prince.”
“They did, but this princess doesn’t care what other people say. She makes her own decisions.” She thought for a moment. “She’s a feminist princess.”
I laughed. “Good for her.”
“So do they get married?” Luna asked eagerly.
“Well, at first the ogre is afraid to propose. He thinks she’s going to say no because he’s not a prince. But he asks her anyway.”
“Because he’s learned to face his fears?” asked Dex.
“No, because her cottage is much nicer than his cave, and he really wants to live there with her.”
Dex harrumphed. “This ogre gets a bad rap in your stories.”
“What does she say?” I thumped Hallie’s feet through the blankets. “Don’t leave me in suspense!”
“She says yes, because she loves him and believes even ogres deserve a happily ever after.”
Luna grinned. “That’s a good ending.”
“It’s a perfect ending.” Smiling, I rose to my feet, kissed my fingers and touched Hallie’s forehead, then did the same to Luna. “Love stories are my favorite.”
“What about you, Daddy?” Hallie asked. “Are they your favorite too?”