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Harper closed her eyes, letting Elle’s steady presence lull her back toward sleep.

For the first time in months, she felt truly safe. Protected. Understood.

18

Elle stepped out of the cool interior of the winery, squinting against the bright midday sun. As her eyes adjusted, she spotted a familiar figure striding towards her, dark hair gleaming under the cloudless sky.

Harper.

Elle’s heart skipped a beat, a smile tugging at her lips as she moved to meet her.

As Harper drew closer, Elle reached out, taking her hand and gently pulling her around the corner of the building, out of sight of prying eyes. Harper raised an eyebrow, a playful smile on her face.

“There’s five people working today,” Elle explained, her voice low, “and all of them are coming and going from these buildings.”

Harper’s smile widened, her eyes sparkling with amusement. “You can’t hide me forever.”

Elle sighed, her thumb absently tracing circles on the back of Harper’s hand. “I just don’t want you to lose your privacy.”

In response, Harper gently pushed Elle against the stone wall of the building, her body pressing close. Elle’s breath caught in her throat, her skin tingling at the contact. Harper leaned in, herlips brushing against Elle’s in a soft, lingering kiss that made Elle want more of everything that had happened last night.

As they parted, Elle looked into Harper’s eyes, a hopeful smile on her face. “And are you?” she asked softly. “Going to be sticking around?”

Elle held her breath, watching Harper’s face for any sign of doubt or hesitation.

“I’m not going anywhere,” Harper said with a smile.

The knot in Elle’s chest loosened. She hadn’t realized how tense she’d been until that moment, how much she’d feared Harper would choose the glittering world of Hollywood over her.

Elle leaned in, capturing Harper’s lips in a gentle kiss. The world seemed to fall away as they lost themselves in the moment, the sun-warmed stone at Elle’s back and the soft press of Harper’s body against hers.

As they parted, Elle looked into Harper’s eyes, a question forming on her lips. “Are Piper and Audrey still coming by tomorrow to tour the winery?”

Harper nodded, a smile playing at the corners of her mouth. “They are. Piper’s really excited about the possibility of having her wedding here.” Harper tucked a strand of hair behind Elle’s ear. “I should let you get back to work. But I was thinking, would you like to come over for dinner tonight?”

“I’d love to.”

“Perfect.” Harper’s fingers trailed down Elle’s arm before letting go. “I’ll see you later then.”

Elle watched her walk away, struck by how natural it felt now - this thing between them. The age difference that had once seemed like such an insurmountable obstacle had faded into insignificance against the reality of who they were together. Harper brought out a lightness in her that Elle hadn’t felt in years, while Elle gave Harper the grounding she needed.

As Harper disappeared around the corner, Elle touched her lips, still feeling the ghost of their kiss. She had found love again, unexpectedly, and although she would never forget Stephanie and everything that they’d shared together, Elle felt like she was starting a new chapter in her life, and that there was somehow room for both stories. Stephanie was her past, and Harper was her future.

EPILOGUE

The late afternoon sun cast a golden glow across Cherry Lane Vineyards. Harper leaned against the rustic wooden bar, watching Elle chat with Piper and Audrey near the dance floor. The newlyweds radiated joy, their white dresses catching the light filtering through the cherry trees.

“You look different.” Evelyn Coleman stepped beside her, champagne in hand. “Happier.”

“I am.” Harper’s gaze lingered on Elle, who threw her head back laughing at something Audrey said. “A year ago, I thought I was losing myself in Lena’s story. Now I realize it led me exactly where I needed to be.”

“Love looks good on you,” Evelyn said, leaning closer to clink their champagne flutes together. “Far better than any designer gown.”

Harper’s chest tightened with emotion. A year ago, she’d been drowning in Lena’s story, losing herself in the weight of portraying such profound grief and courage. Now, standing here watching Elle, she understood something fundamental about both herself and Lena - love wasn’t just about grand gestures ortragic sacrifices. Sometimes it was about finding someone who made you feel perfectly, wonderfully yourself.

As if sensing Harper’s thoughts, Elle looked up, her hazel eyes finding Harper’s across the crowd. A warm smile spread across her face as she excused herself from the newlyweds and made her way over.

“There you are,” Elle said, sliding an arm around Harper’s waist. She glanced at the dancing couples, then back at Elle. “Dance with me?”

Harper smiled. “Always.”