For her part, Rachel was surprised by how easy it had been to go back to work, especially considering she’d never had a job outside of the home before—at least not as Rachel Cole. Charlotte was thriving with the nanny and things with Sophie had changed dramatically since Rachel took her for a girls’ day out and told her she was sorry for not noticing how much of her attention Charlotte had consumed. Rachel couldn’t believe how quickly Sophie’s entire demeanor had changed after hearing those words. Rachel glances in the mirror in the kitchenette just a few feet from her desk and runs her fingers through her hair, the short, sassy bob that Casey’s hairdresser, Jose, had talked her into getting last week still feeling foreign.
Do it! Casey had texted her. If we’ve learned anything this past year, it’s that taking risks is good for you. And so Rachel had nodded her head yes and squeezed her eyes shut as the hair she had coveted for twenty years fell to the floor. When she walked into the office later, she stood nervously next to her desk, clutching the bag filled with styling gels, awaiting Casey and Destiny’s reaction. But they’d loved her new ’do, marveling at the way it brought out her cheekbones. “It’s like you’re a completely different person,” Charlie finally uttered after a long silence. Yes, she thought. I am. And John had loved it too, scooping her up in the doorway when she’d arrived home that night and taking her straight to the bedroom. “Wow, I guess you like my new look.” Rachel laughed through John’s kisses. “Maybe I’ll dress up for you next week!”
“I’m out of here,” Rachel calls as she grabs her sunglasses and places them on her head.
“Wait!” Casey calls. “We haven’t toasted yet!” she says as she quickly fills each champagne glass, trying to stop the foam from spilling over. Rachel grabs a glass, Destiny and Charlie joining them.
Casey gives Rachel a quick glance. Toasting would never be quite the same experience for them after what had happened.
“To us!” Rachel calls out as they clink glasses before she looks over at Charlie. “And to Charlie finally winning over Casey’s Facebook fans,” she says with a laugh, referring to the latest poll there, Do you think Casey and Charlie should get engaged? More than 80 percent of them had answered Hell, yes!
Charlie smiles widely. “I’ll drink to that!” he says before leaning closer to Casey. “And to love,” he whispers, clinking his glass to hers.
“Yes,” she agrees. “To love.”