Epilogue
Eight Months Later
Cassie peered through the diamond-shaped windows of the kitchen doors. Service was in full swing and not a single seat was empty. She easily found the table where her family was seated and smiled at how the men in her life dominated a room. Next to her petite mother, her handsome brothers were all six foot plus, as was her father, but it was always her incredibly thoughtful, incredibly loving husband who captured her attention.
Wearing a navy blue suit, white dress shirt, and red tie, Mike looked so scrumptious that when he’d walked into the restaurant she could barely keep her hands off his sculpted buns and the rest of his drool-worthy body.
“It’s official.” Rose hugged her. “Cayenne is a hit. Your spicy nouveau cuisine is the talk of the town.” She stood on her toes and planted a kiss on the side of Cassie’s head. Rose’s beaming smile, scarlet nails, and matching red silk dress made her look like a giant red pepper. “Every table is filled to capacity, and the reservation book is packed solid for the next three weeks. Thanks to you.”
Cassie smiled so hard her face hurt. Elation at Rose’s hard-earned praise meant the world to her. She grasped Rose’s hand, and her fingers grazed the diamond engagement ring Jimmy had given her the night before. “I owe you more than I can ever say. If you hadn’t given me a chance at the Nest, I would have passed through town and kept right on going.”
“You know, you’re right. I do know talent when I see it—and taste it.” Rose patted herself on the back, and they both laughed. “Not only is the food exquisite, but the two of us sure know how to design a dining room like nobody’s business.” She propelled Cassie back toward the dining room. “This is your time to shine, so get out there. And for God’s sake, be nice to Mike’s sister.”
Pausing at the door to smooth down her white chef’s garb, the diamond-encrusted wedding band nestled against her engagement ring sparkled and twinkled. Her eyes welled up, something that had been happening with increasing frequency over the last month.
Taking a deep breath, she winked at Rose and pushed through the door with shaky hands. She hadn’t been this nervous since her first day at the police academy. Rumor had it there were several other food critics in the crowd besides Moira. As she looked around the stunningly unique dining room, Cassie began to feel more at ease.
Round tables draped with terra-cotta-colored tablecloths and set with fine cream china and glassware contrasted with the deep claret carpeting. Heavy forest green velvet drapes bracketed the floor-to-ceiling windows, giving the room a grand appearance. Striking bundles of dried red, yellow, and orange peppers hung in strategic locations put a playful spin on the room’s colorful elegance. Even the custom candelabra wall sconce bulbs were in the shape of orange pepper-shaped flames.
Lively music piped from overhead speakers, creating a festive atmosphere. Cassie noted with no small sense of pride that every guest was either chattering happily or moaning in ecstasy as they tasted her food.
“Cassie!” Chuck and Leo waved from a table near one of the floor-to-ceiling windows. Ginny and Sue were practically bouncing out of their seats. “Congratulations.” Chuck stood and grabbed her in a big bear hug. Leo followed suit, as did Ginny and Sue.
“Cayenne is gorgeous, and the food is incredible,” Ginny said. “But we miss you at the Nest.”
“I miss all of you, too. You’ll always be family.” That was the truth, she realized, and her heart gave a little squeeze. They’d taken her in with no questions asked and forgiven her when her past had nearly killed Leo and Ginny.
Sue hugged her tightly. “You’re a hit, sweetie, but we really do miss you. The Nest’s new head chef is a bear to work with.” She glared affectionately at Chuck.
Cassie laughed. “You’ll just have to whip his butt into shape the way you did mine.”
After saying her good-byes, she moved on to the loudest table by far in the restaurant—the one taken up by half the NYPD 1st Precinct’s detective squad.
“Hey, partner!” Dom’s powerful hug lifted her clear off the floor. “Grub’s great. You really can cook.”
She gave him a sideways look. “You doubted me?”
“Never again, but you owe me. You should see the burping lard-ass the lieutenant partnered me up with after you abandoned me for that guy.” Dom shot Mike, who sat at the adjacent table, a mock glare. In reality, the two men had settled their differences and become fast friends.
“Quit whining,” Lt. Frye ordered. “For three years you were the envy of every detective in the precinct.” He shook Cassie’s hand and, in an unexpectedly touching move, kissed her on the cheek. “Congratulations, Cass. Your badge is always there if you change your mind, but from the looks of things I have a feeling you won’t.”
“Thank you. All of you.” She looked affectionately at the officers and detectives she’d worked with for the last ten years. With cops there was a bond that could never be broken. “I’ll miss you all. There’s a free meal at Cayenne for you anytime. I mean it.”
Amidst hoots and cheers, she moved on to her family’s table. Everyone was there, except for Gray. He had been profusely apologetic about the pressing need to follow up on a strong lead concerning the Pyramid, the international group of assassins Ahmed Methopolis was suspected to be working for.
Mike stood to hug her and kissed her firmly on the mouth. She loved how he wasn’t the least bit intimidated by her brothers or her conservative ex-cop father.
“C’mon, you guys,” her brother Nick groaned. “In the middle of the restaurant?”
“Really, get a room.” Jess, her other brother, rolled his eyes.
“Shut up.” Moira glared at Jess. “I think it’s sweet.”
Mike released her in time to see Moira jab Jess in the ribs. Her brother winced, then flashed Mike’s pretty sister a devilish grin. Mike kept his arm possessively around Cassie’s waist as she accepted more congratulations from everyone at the table, even—to her immense shock—Moira.
“I loved everything,” Moira began. “The spicy lime-marinated shrimp was superb, the steak medallions were tender as butter, and the cabernet sauce with sautéed shallots was to die for.” She pressed her hand to her heart and closed her eyes, sighing. “And your chocolate-chipotle truffle cake with crème anglaise and raspberries was orgasmic.”
“Oh, shit.” Jess clenched his jaws. “I need a cold shower. And a cigarette.” His quip got him another jab in the ribs.
Cassie laughed. “I really should get back to the kitchen and help with the last seating.”
“I’ll stop in before we leave.” Mike kissed her once more.
Half an hour later, Cassie and her staff plated the final entrees of the night. Her feet ached and her body was exhausted, but she’d never felt more energized in her life. The meals had come out better than expected, with fewer glitches than most restaurants experienced on opening night.
Strong arms slid around her waist. She’d know Mike’s touch anywhere. He kissed the back of her neck, and she shivered with delight. She turned to see his eyes glittering like dark blue sapphires.
“Congratulations, sweetheart. I knew you’d be a success.”
“Thank you.” She wrapped her arms around his neck. “I couldn’t have done any of this without your support and understanding.”
His fingers began working the muscles of her lower back, something she’d come to look forward to at the end of a long day. “What kind of a husband would I be if I didn’t support my lovely wife?” He gave her his brilliant white smile that still made her go weak in the knees.
“And I love you for that.”
“And I love you for putting up with me.” They both laughed. “I better get home and let Raven out. I’ll wait up. I’ve got a bottle of champagne on ice to celebrate your success.” He leaned in to whisper against her ear, and his deep, sexy bass made her toes curl. “I’ve also got a fresh can of whipped cream and chocolate syrup.”
She giggled as he nipped her earlobe. Before leaving the kitchen, he turned to wink, and her lower belly quivered.
Then again, the quivering in her belly might not be solely from the effect her husband had on her. She splayed her hand over her flat abdomen. All those tears lately and that quivering belly thing… A stop at the drug store for a test kit that morning confirmed what she already suspected.
She was pregnant!
And she knew just how to tell Mike.
It was nearly midnight when Cassie walked into their living room with a small box tied with a light blue ribbon tucked under her arm. Her feet ached and she was exhausted, but she couldn’t stop grinning at the sight of Mike and Raven snuggled together on the sofa. She was vibrating with excitement and nervousness at how he would react to the gift she’d brought him. They hadn’t exactly planned for this right now, although it was definitely something they’d talked about for their future.
“Sweetheart,” Mike said, standing to wrap his arms around her. Raven, too, hopped off the sofa and came to greet her. “Long night, huh?”
“The best, though.” She nodded, smiling even more.
“I have something for you.” Mike turned and grasped a bottle of champagne from an ice bucket on the coffee table. “To celebrate opening day.”
Cassie sighed. A couple of glasses of champagne would surely have hit the spot, but she’d have to pass. For at least eight more months. “Wait,” she said, placing her hand on his forearm as he tore the gold foil wrapper from the champagne bottle. She took the bottle from his hands, returning it to the bucket. “First, I have something for you.”
“Me?” He furrowed his brows as she handed him the small box. “I didn’t do anything to deserve a gift.”
“Oh yes you did.” Cassie laughed, tugging Mike onto the sofa next to her. “Open it.” She bit her lower lip as Mike untied the ribbon and lifted the lid off the box. “We’re going to have to add a plus one to that pretty sign on the edge of town.”
Before parting the white tissue paper, Mike’s hands stilled. For a moment he just looked at her. Then his eyes grew wide and his jaw dropped. “Cass,” he whispered, “are you—?” He lowered his gaze to her belly.
Cassie laughed. “Open it!”
A slow grin tugged at his lips, then he tore open the tissue paper and stared at the contents. Gently, even reverently, he picked up the tiny garment—a baby-blue jumpsuit with gold stripes on the sides of both legs and a tiny gold badge on the front.
When Mike looked at her, his eyes glistened. “Are you really pregnant?”
She nodded, smiling openly, thrilled at the teary joy on Mike’s face. “It’s true, Chief. You’re going to be a daddy.”
The next thing Cassie knew, she was engulfed in Mike’s strong embrace, his lips on hers as he kissed her. “I love you,” he whispered. “More than I can ever say.”
Tears streamed down her face as she cupped the sides of his face, kissing him back. “You just did.”
She’d thought her life couldn’t get any better, but she was wrong. As of this morning, she had it all.
A job she loved. Friends she adored. A little one on the way. And most of all, her perfect husband. Never in a million years could she have imagined when she’d fled her life working as a cop, she’d end up head over heels in love and married to one.
The ingredients of her life were finally perfect.
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