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EPILOGUE

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Six months later

Aggie walked into Cupid’s Café, searching for Murphy among the booths and bean bags. Since they’d reconciled, the pair spent many an afternoon or evening at the place that provided them with a second chance. Between work, Murph’s art commissions, and Seth coming into their lives, things were always busy.

“Welcome back, Ms. Kakos,” said Angel, the café manager. This was the customary greeting he always offered her, along with an open hand.

Aggie shook his in response and tried to look around him to see if she could spot Murph, but the manager moved to block her path.

“I sense a little apprehension in you today. Is there anything we can help with? No one should feel uncomfortable in Cupid’s Café.”

The emotions he mentioned assembled in her body, a rioting, swirling mess of fear, doubt, and sense of déjà vu. She’d put herself out there like this before and gotten burned. Here she stood, willing to take the chance again. To continue what they’d started since she and Murph agreed to be together.

“It’s just—”

“Say no more.” Angel brought a finger to his lips. “But know that Mr. Heart and those of us at the café know all about taking chances and risks. We wouldn’t set you up for failure.”

She wanted to ask him how he had any clue about her thoughts, or the letter, but didn’t get a chance because that was when she spotted her boyfriend.

“Aggie, over here!” Murph called out to her and waved from a booth on the far side of the windowed wall. If memory served, the same one they’d sat in eight months prior.

Angel stepped aside to let her pass and she headed for the one person who always looked at her as if she were the most gorgeous woman he’d ever seen.

“Hey, there, I was wondering what took you so long,” Murph said as a he stood from his booth seat and motioned to her to climb in first.

“Sorry, the appointment took longer than expected.”

“Well, your drink is still hot. I just got here.” He pointed at the steaming cup of coffee.

The two gold hearts on the outside were a reminder of what she intended to do next, after she took a sip of her beverage. The coffee went down smooth, warming her throat. “So, over the phone, you said you had good news.”

“Yes, Trix signed all the papers and the judge has approved my petition. I’m officially Seth’s guardian.” The smile on his face made her want to smile as wide and big. The last few months had been a huge transition for the pair of them, but Seth was adapting well. Murphy had them both in therapy twice a week and Aggie had even joined them from time-to-time. Though Trix remained in a long-term mental care facility, he hoped one day she’d be able to be with Seth again.

“That’s awesome news. Does he know yet?”

Murph shook his head. “Not yet. I planned to tell him this evening after his therapy session. I’m taking him out for a special dinner and hoped you could join us.”

“I’d love to, but I’ve already got plans.” She held strong, letting the words settle in. Normally, she’d never keep secrets, but this time, she wanted to surprise him. Murph looked a little crestfallen, since they shared all the big days together. Birthdays, holidays, even Christmas and New Year’s served as a big to-do. The merging of not just two, but three lives, and now it was time to take the last step. “I can’t go to dinner because the movers are packing my stuff. I’m coming home.”

“What? But you never submitted your thirty-day notice.”

“I kind of forgot to mention that I did. You were busy getting ready for your show last week and finishing those commissions. Then I decided it would be easier to surprise you.”

He leaned in and pressed a quick kiss to her lips. “It’s the best surprise. Not only is Seth getting some stability, he’s getting another person who will take care of him, too. You’ll finally be where you’re supposed to be.”

“Where I want to be.”

“Yes, now the only question is: when are you going to marry me?”

Aggie grinned. “We’ll have to see, won’t we?”

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Welcome to Cupid's Café, a place where missed connections meet. How the invitations find them, no one knows...except for the mysterious owner, Mr. Heart.

This multi-author series focuses on protagonists struggling with real-life issues that often get swept under the rug. With Cupid’s Café, these issues find representation in the characters struggling to conquer their own problems while trying to carve a future for themselves.

From cops to artists, or social workers to photographers, Mr. Heart ensures these lost souls who believe themselves undeserving of love reconnect with their fated match.

Each couple embarks on their journey at Cupid’s Cafe, but the rest is up to them: whether damage wins or they find true love in the end.

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