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We have to.

And who knows? Maybe she and I will eventually end up back in Hartsville down the road. Her parents are here, too, and they’re going to want to have a hand in raising any babies Sally and I do have.

Becauseof courseI want to have babies with Sally. Can’t believe I didn’t realize it was a possibility until now.

More than a possibility. A certainty. Because I am gonna make this work.

I am gonna make Sally my wife.

“I love y’all,” I say. “Thank you. For understanding. And for, well, putting up with me all these years.”

Cash gives me a look. “You definitely owe us. You were fuckin’ unhinged in your twenties.”

“Good thing I’m in my thirties now.” I pass the reins from my right hand to my left. “I got a favor I’d like to ask. Would y’all help me ask Sally?”

“To marry you?” Duke furrows his brow.

“I feel like I should ask her if she’d let me come to New York with her first and show her I have y’all’s blessing to move,” I say with a chuckle. “We’ve only been dating for, like, two and a half seconds.”

Ryder shakes his head. “But you’ve been friends for two and a half lifetimes.”

“Wyatt’s right.” Cash tips his hat in my direction. “Let’s not scare sweet Sally off by rushin’ things. When he bares his heart, it’s supposed to be a big, romantic gesture, not an ambush.”

“Agreed,” Sawyer says.

Cash flashes me a smile. “Lucky for you, Wyatt, I got some ideas.”

CHAPTER 30

Sally

SHOTGUN, SIDE OF SMOKED TURKEY

“Is this the dress?”I ask, doing a small spin in front of Mollie and Wheeler.

Wheeler lets out a low whistle. “Honey, that isthedress.”

“If there was ever a dress to wear while declaring your undying love for your best friend, that’s the one.” Mollie claps her hands before she pulls me in for a hug. “I am thrilled you’re staying in Hartsville. I keep wanting to pinch myself. Obviously I was thrilled you’d landed that gig at Ithaca University, but I know I’m not alone when I say I was hoping you’d stick around here for the long haul. We love you, friend.”

“I love you too.” Stepping back, I smooth the exquisite crepe fabric of the dress over my thighs. It’s fire-engine red, a shade that matches my favorite Bellamy Brooks boots. It feels like buttery silk as it swishes against my bare legs.

Smiling, I examine myself in the full-length mirror that’s tucked into a corner of Mollie’s former bedroom in the New House.

When I officially resigned from Ithaca University during a call with my adviser a few days back, I decided to put together a little last-minute Friendsgiving celebration so Icould share the happy news—well, hopefully happy—with everyone. I want the chance to explain myself.

I also want Wyatt to see how committed I am to our relationship. By publicly declaring my intention to stick around, I hope he sees just how much I want to be with him.

Just how much I love him and how proud I am of the community we’re building here in Hartsville.

To be honest, I’ve gone back and forth a million times as to whether or not this whole thing is a good idea. What if Dad flips out? What if I embarrass myself—or worse, embarrass Wyatt?

Mollie convinced me to go for it. She was the first person I confided in after I hung up on that call with my adviser. When I floated the idea of making the already-grand gesture of passing up a dream job even grander, Mollie was immediately on board.

“Cash is allergic to drama,” she said. “But Wyatt? I mean, the guy agreed to fake date you even though he knew he was never gonna be able to keep it in his pants. Wyattlivesfor the drama. You wanna go big, I say you gobig. Love your man out loud, friend. Live your best damn life out loud.”

Which is how I ended up in this dress, a Gucci number I borrowed from Mollie’s closet. It’s special, it’s sparkly, and it’s giving me just the boost of confidence I need to, well, go big.

“You look fabulous,” Mollie says. “And you don’t looktootoo nervous.”