Bayli snickered. “Only when I’m not around.”
Both men glared at her.
“Oh, come on,” she said. “If it makes me happy…”
Rory leaned forward and kissed her. “Whatever makes you happy.”
She glanced at Christian. Raised her brow.
He deposited his glass on the end table and pulled her to him. “Whatever makes you happy.”
Bayli smiled again. “That’s easy. The two of you. The three of us. In love.”
She kissed Christian.
Rory simply said, “We’re going to need more condoms.”
He was right, of course.
EPILOGUE
Bayli was riding another high.
“This is the best party ever,” she announced, a little on the tipsy side. Luckily, it was Christian pouring the champagne for everyone and not her, so that she didn’t spill.
Scarlet, Jewel, Rogen, Vin, Phillip, and Colin had joined her, Christian, and Rory at the trio’s apartment—since Rory and Bayli had officially moved in. They were all on the heated terrace enjoying the light snowfall over Central Park and cocktails before dinner.
“Our cooking show is an overnight sensation!” Bayli proudly declared. “And so am I.”
“Never doubted it for a second,” Christian said, and kissed her temple.
“Well, I did,” Bayli told everyone. “What with Angsty Chef and Christian’s psycho assistant—and I do feel justified in calling her that because, seriously, what woman in her right mind would send eight-legged monsters to another woman? Anyway, with the dark cloud hovering over me, I was starting to fear this whole thing would never come together.”
“But it did.” Rory wrapped an arm around her waist and gave a squeeze. “And the excessive online streaming of the show crashed the site temporarily. Twice.”
She laughed. “Who would have thought it possible?”
“It’s a great s
how,” Jewel contended.
“With a solid network behind it,” Christian said, and they all raised their glasses to toast the success.
Bayli added, “I think we do owe Lily a tiny bit of thanks for creating more hype around the launch with her insanity.”
“We are not toasting her,” Rory adamantly said.
“I wasn’t even suggesting it,” Bayli assured him.
Pierre appeared at that moment and told them all, “Dinner is served.” It was Monday night and Davila’s NYC was dark. Pierre had volunteered to play host this evening, and Rory’s executive chef had offered to cook, wanting to spread his own wings and give Rory some thoughts for the new menu that incorporated inventive and traditional favorites.
While Pierre ushered in their guests, Christian and Rory stayed behind with Bayli.
Christian said, “I hope this is everything you ever wanted.”
Her eyes misted. “You know it is.”
He took his hand in hers and lifted it to his lips. He said, “I wish I’d known you back in River Cross. Then I would have been aware of your mom’s heart condition and after I’d met my college roommate, Gene Eckhart, I could have asked him to help you. To help her. He’s really quite brilliant.”