Hosed (Happy Cat #1)(65)

Her eyes are twinkling as she pulls Cassie away.

I follow along behind them, nodding to Gerald and Maud as I pass them at the end of the bar. “Good to see you here,” I tell them.

“We wouldn’t miss it for the world,” Maud replies.

“Just being a good neighbor,” Gerald grumbles.

He’s also made a point of dropping off donuts or muffins once a week at the factory as they’ve been rebuilding the damaged section over this past month. I clap him on the shoulder. “You’re the best kind of neighbor.”

He blushes. Maud claps delightedly.

And I grab the bottle of champagne Jace hands over the bar, trading in my lemonade for something more festive.

I’m still worried about him and this baby and Ginger, but I probably will be for the rest of my life. Just need to get used to it.

“Hi, is this on?” Cassie winces. “Oh, wow, I’m loud.”

Chuckles echo around the room while Cassie tucks her hair behind her ear and pulls back from the microphone. She’s left her locks down tonight, and I can’t wait to run my fingers through them again tonight.

That happens to be one of my very favorite pastimes.

I rub at my chest, because this is it.

This is the last major project Cassie needed to finish for Sunshine Toys.

She’s been working hellacious hours to keep up with both her job back in San Francisco and to take Sunshine six levels higher than what it was when she got here. I have no idea what comes next, but I know it’s going to be big. For a wee thing, Cassie always goes big.

“I just wanted to say thank you,” she says. “To all of you. I know the factory isn’t the most popular thing in town, but the fact that you’re the kind of people to rally around your friends and neighbors to pitch in, even when it’s uncomfortable, is what makes Happy Cat so amazing.”

Ruthie May whoops, and Olivia lifts a glass containing a green gloop that suggests she smuggled in an avocado wheatgrass smoothie.

But I’m pretty sure she could smuggle in a live cow and do kombucha shots off its back and Jace wouldn’t say a word. He lets her get away with things I’ve never seen him tolerate from other people and there’s definitely a weird vibe between those two.

Cassie leans into the microphone again. “In the gaming world, we have big parties to launch new products, which is technically why we’re here tonight. To celebrate the Love Your Inner Sunshine app. But mostly, I wanted an excuse to have a party with you guys, the people who’ve been like family since I got back to town.”

She graces me with a warm smile that sends champagne bubbles rising in my heart. “And I have a confession,” she adds.

The entire room perks up, and I hide a smile. Nothing like a good confession to get people’s attention.

“When I first came home,” she says, “I was uncomfortable with Sunshine’s products too.”

I straighten, my eyes going wide, because if the next step is talking about what we did with some of those products the other night—

“But I’ve come to realize that there’s more to all this than just physical satisfaction. Savannah’s dream was to help women become stronger, braver, and more confident, and I think that’s beautiful. My wish for all of you is that you love yourselves—bravely and fiercely—imperfections and all. You deserve it.”

I sag in relief while everyone around me aawwwws.

“I didn’t expect to be here learning so much about myself, or to be having so much fun, but for the first time in my life, I feel like I belong. And I love every last one of you so, so much.”

“She’s been drinking, hasn’t she?” Ruthie May whispers.

“No, Ruthie May, I have not been drinking,” Cassie answers. “But I have been thinking, and every day, it becomes more clear that I need to make a decision about my future. Because it turns out working remotely isn’t something I enjoy much in the long term.”

My heart stops. Right there in the Wild Hog.

But then she smiles in my direction, and it starts beating again.

“When Savannah and I were kids, this was home part-time. But it feels like a full-time home now. So, y’all are stuck with me.” She stands up straighter, rolling her shoulders back. “So I want to take this opportunity to announce that I’m going into business for myself. If any Happy Cat business owners are looking for an app to draw in new customers or a snazzy new website, I’m your gal. I’m also going to start a coding class to get our kids ready to take on the world. Let’s put this little town back on the map for everything we’re good at as a community.”

“Ooh, me!” Maud’s hand flies into the air. “We want help at the bakery, Cassie! Dough on the Square first!”

“Get in line, Maud,” Blake calls. “My winery is opening next year. Family first.”

“I’m just as much family as you are!”

“Only if Cassie’s living at your brother’s house too.”

Everyone laughs. I head to the stage, because this announcement definitely calls for champagne.

“Since you know where to find me,” Cassie says with a shameless shrug and a smile tossed in my direction, “let’s keep this party going! Thank you!”

She puts the mic back and steps right into my arms.