Page 66 of Ever's Last

“A toast,” Brick raises his shot glass and we clink. Yep, it’s tequila. It burns as it goes down my throat.

“Let’s get ready, cowboy, your cowgirl awaits,” Brick cheers.

I can’t wait to see her at the end of the aisle.

Chapter Forty-Three

Ever

Today is my wedding day. The day I’ve been dreaming about since I was five. Okay, that might sound weird since Memphis was a teenager and I was sporting pigtails. But still, he’s the one.

“Oh my,” Ariel startles me from the door.

“Do you like it?” I twirl around in my gown.

“Like? I love it.”

It’s a simple gown, fitted in the bodice, and flows down, and backless with lace. Anne found it for me. I didn’t even try it on to know it’s the one.

“Oh my,” Ivy says and I giggle.

“That’s the same thing I said,” Ariel smiles.

“Memphis will be blown away,” Ivy agrees.

“Thank you for your help,” I start to tear up.

“Nope, none of that,” Ariel pulls a little table in and I can see glasses and a bottle.

“What’s that?”

“We’re toasting. And this is champagne.”

“What are we toasting to?” She throws me a look which I interpret as I’m being silly.

“To new friends, to new lives, and loves,” Ariel states, handing glasses around.

“I have dreamed about this day and I never thought it would come.”

“And here we are,” Ivy smiles at me.

“What did I miss?” Skye bounds in, holding a present.

“Nothing. We were just getting ready to toast,” Ivy hands her a glass.

“What’s in the box?”

“A little of everything,” she replies coyly.

“Weirdo. But thank you guys, really. So much has happened in our lives, definitely in my life, and I'm glad that I have friends like you."

Skye looks away.

“Yes, Skye, even you. We’ve come a long way and I will always be here if you need me.”

“Same for me,” Ariel and Ivy say at the same time.

“Thank you, Ever. It means a lot that you’ve included me.”