Total pages in book: 135
Estimated words: 128211 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 641(@200wpm)___ 513(@250wpm)___ 427(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 128211 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 641(@200wpm)___ 513(@250wpm)___ 427(@300wpm)
The room was buzzing when the clip stopped, and Graham cocked a brow at me, as if to say, See? I’m not so bad.
I still didn’t trust him.
“Bernard,” he said, whipping his head toward my stew. “Care to tell us the dirty details about that night?”
Bernard looked like a kid in a candy store as he regaled the crowd with his version of it all. I mostly blocked it out, ready to be done and out of here. More questions were tossed around to the rest of the crew while I stayed silent except to answer with brief statements when necessary.
When we were nearing the end of the show, Graham went around and asked everyone if there was anything they wished to say.
I used my time to apologize to Eli as sincerely as I could. I told him I didn’t expect nor deserve his forgiveness, but I wanted him to know I was sorry for leading him on and using him as a pawn in a game he didn’t sign up to play. I’d expected him to tell me to go fuck myself, but he’d surprised me with an, “Ag, don’t fret, Em. It’s all good.” And then he’d hugged me to the crowd cheering, and a piece of my broken heart was mended.
Palmer told his side of the whole Gisella situation. Cameron expressed his regrets with Leah. Captain Gary kept it professional, saying that he was still proud of us as a crew despite the drama.
When it came to Leah, I was surprised to find her already crying, sniffling as she dabbed at the corner of her eyes with a tissue. Her eyes slammed into mine, and she cried harder.
“I’m so sorry for how harshly I judged you, Em,” she said, shaking her head. “I was hurt, but not just by you. I was… I wasn’t myself. And I just wished you’d have told me, but I understand now why that might have been hard to do. And you would have told me, had things not gone down the way they did.”
“I would have told you that morning, I swear,” I told her.
“I know,” she nodded. “I know. I’m sorry I was such a BLEEP.”
“I deserved it.”
“No,” she said, standing and shaking her head. “You didn’t. You didn’t deserve any of it. Can I have a hug?”
I met her in the middle of the stage, squeezing her tight as the crowd aww’d. I whispered a promise to her that we’d catch up soon, and she nodded, squeezing my arm before she went back to her seat.
Then, it was Finn’s turn.
And the surprises kept coming.
“I wasn’t sure if I’d announce this here,” he said, standing and slipping one hand into the inside pocket of his jacket. It was the first time he’d released the grip on my hand all night. “But it feels right.”
He pulled out a glossy photo and handed it to me first, his eyes locked on mine. The moment our fingers brushed, my pulse kicked up, time slowing around the two of us. The photo felt heavier than paper should — like it was weighted with meaning I hadn’t yet uncovered.
“What is it?” I asked, even as I stared down at the image.
It looked like a print from a real estate listing — a small storefront tucked between a Pilates studio and a bakery. The windows were covered in newspaper, but there was something charming about the white brick and abandoned flower beds framing the door.
“It’s my new restaurant,” Finn said.
I blinked up at him, heart thudding as Graham motioned for me to pass the photo down the line.
And then Finn had my hand in his again, his eyes searching mine.
“I thought the first one was it for me,” he said, voice steady but full of emotion. “I built it in Dublin with everything I had. But the truth is… I wasn’t ready. Not the way I thought I was. And maybe that failure wasn’t the end of my dream — maybe it was the beginning of something better. I think we both know now that the universe had other plans.”
His lips quirked up, and my eyes watered, my heart so full I could burst.
“I think maybe my Gran knew I couldn’t do it without you.”
I pressed my lips together, trying not to cry as the audience collectively melted.
“This time, I’ve got the right people. The right investors. The right team. A new menu I’m already testing with my future staff. A fresh start — in South Florida, where I can be with you.” He smiled. “And a name.”
I expected Graham to make a joke, but he was quiet, all attention on Finn.
“It’s called Pygo,” he said. “Short for pygolampída.”
I quirked a brow. “Am I supposed to know what that means?”
“It’s Greek,” Finn said. “For firefly.”
That was it.