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“Alex!”

Alex launched out of the seat, pulling Will up with her, and raced over to Sam.

Alex latched onto her—or maybe it was the other way round. Sam didn’t know. Didn’t care. Sam had missed Alex like crazy, and it was so good to see her in person (and Will too, of course). Sam pulled back to take a good look at her friend.

“Girl, you are looking radiant right now! Eee! I’m so happy to see you both for real!”

Alex stood in a flowing maxi dress and sandals, looking like she’d been lapping up the sun for a week rather than the single day they’d been in the tropics.

“You too, I can’t believe how tanned you are from living on the boat. I’m jealous!” Alex replied.

Sam jumped over to Will next, giving him a big squeeze too.

“How was it getting over here? How was your flight? No dramas?” she asked, looking between them.

Alex shook her head, making her curls fly every which way. “Nope. Excuse the pun, but it wasall smooth sailing.”

“Same! Funny that.” Sam chuckled, then paused, realising Taylor hadn’t come up to greet her friends yet. She was probably trying to get Belle out of the water—silly dog!

Sam turned to call out, but the words died on her lips.

Taylor knelt behind her on one knee, a ring in her hand and a sopping wet Belle sitting beside her, proudly wearing a pink bow which read “Marry My Mum!”

Taylor beamed up at her, silent laughter on her lips.

Sam gasped and hiccupped at the same time in complete shock. People began to stop and gather along the beach to watch. Then Taylor cleared her throat.

Oh wow, this was actually happening.

“A year ago, I walked into a shop angry, embarrassed and feeling like a complete fool. The last thing I expected was to meet the love of my life. I was so swept up in you.

“Since then, we’ve thrown everything at this relationship, and while it may seem quick, I want you to know—I’m all in. I wantallthe adventures with you, no matter where we go next. I would follow you to the moon and back if you asked me.

“Samantha Garner, you aremybrightest star. Will you marry me, Ham?”

Belle barked and wagged her tail, flicking sand everywhere and making everyone laugh.

“I mean, I have to now.” Sam laughed through tears. “The dog’s requested it. Plus, how can I say no to those faces?”

She bent down to kiss Taylor on the lips, then pulled her up into a hug. Taylor pulled back.

“So just to clarify… is that a yes?”

“Yes! Yes to us, to the adventures and to marrying you.”

Taylor took Sam’s hand between them and slid on the ring to a chorus of cheers from onlookers. Sam felt like she was on cloud nine, her cheeks hurting from the grin as she stared at the most beautiful diamond ring on her finger.

“What did I miss?”

What?!Her heart leapt in her chest.It couldn’t be…

She broke away from Taylor, turning to see her dad smiling from ear to ear right next to Alex.

“But… Wh—How? You were?—”

“In Brisbane? Yeah, I lied.” He looked at Taylor and winked.

“Have you two been conspiring together?”