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He stands, this perfect man of mine, arms at his side. On the desk, there are two flutes of champagne, fizzing and frosted, and next to those, a fat bunch of peach roses tied in twine.

“I’d hand them to you,” Eli says, “but then I wouldn’t get to hold you.”

I take a step toward him. “You have the whole rest of your life to hold me.”

Eli closes the distance between us and sweeps me up in his arms. “But the rest of our life starts now.”

He kisses me, long and sweet, deep and tender, while Rufus barks like a wild wolf.

Then Eli presses his forehead to mine. “Are they all going to be like this?”

“Who?”

“Our babies.”

I laugh. “Let’s find out.”

Epilogue

TRANSCRIPT

The Queenie Show

Interview with Queenie Miller and Singer-Songwriter Reese Franco (EXCERPT)

Queenie Miller (QM):Welcome back from the break, everyone! Now, I know y’all have been waiting for this one.

[Extended cheers from studio audience]

QM:When I say we scooped a good one here atThe Queenie Show, I mean it. Here in our studios, fresh off her debut Coffee Shop tour, I’ve got the one, the only Reese Franco!

[Audience cheers as Reese Franco steps out from backstage]

QM:Woo! Are we ever excited to have you on the show, Reese.

Reese Franco (RF):I’m so happy to be here, thank you!

[Cheers]

QM:Now I have a list here of all your accomplishments—awards, performances, appearances, tours, but I know our audience knows all that.

[Cheers]

RF:[Laughs]

QM:What they might not know is that all of this has happened to you in just over a year. One year!

[Cheers]

RF:It’s been a whirlwind for sure.

QM:What I think is so unique about you and your meteoric rise, Reese, is that you’ve always stayed true to who you are. You made it clear from the beginning that you wanted to sing in intimate settings. To connect with your audience. You’ve eschewed—I like that wordeschewed.

RF:[Laughs] I do too.

QM:You’ve eschewed those big stadium performances with the pyrotechnics and swings and backup singers, even though we know from your record sales you could fill those stadiums up. Tell me, why is that? What called you to do these more intimate performances like you’re doing on the Coffee Shop tour?

RF:Well, I think maybe if I’d started singing in my twenties—I mean, I did sing in my twenties, but I took a long hiatus. But if I’d stuck with it, if I’d been lucky enough to achieve the kind of success we all dream about—