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Epilogue Liza

“ T hey’re coming!” I yell across the beach cut out to my boyfriend, friends, and Mason, who nearly ruined everything I’ve worked on for weeks to make this super special for Violet.

She deserves a fairytale wedding experience, starting with a gorgeous engagement party.

She’s missed so much of her life due to other people’s mistakes.

It’s time for someone to make her feel as special as she makes us feel.

Hartley’s eyes dart my way, a lazy grin spreading across his hard features, as he gets up from the table and sprints across the beach my way.

He’s a total vision. My hands fly to my cheeks as they flame from the sight of him, and how lucky I am that he didn’t give up on me.

I start clapping the minute I see Violet turn the corner with her fiancé on her arm.

She’s smiling ear-to-ear and waving to us, but Ryan’s eyes never flinch from her.

Ryan’s mistakes took a huge toll on their relationship, but he’s paid his dues and committed to change. I can’t help but commend him for that.

“I can’t believe this,” Violet’s voice muffles into my shoulder as she tackles me, causing my balance to stumble.

“It’s everything I ever wanted.” She’s in a strapless, white, satin dress, barefoot, hair cascading down her back in a half up-half down look.

Her eyes show no fear and genuine happiness glints from her blue irises.

Her eyes fly to Hartley next, and he’s wearing the most proud look with his hands stuffed in his pockets.

He steps forward and extends his hand out to Ryan, a peace offering.

Ryan’s eyes mist, as he sticks his tattooed hand in Hartley’s and nods repeatedly—a silent understanding.

Violet jumps at Hartley and latches her arms around his neck while he twists her around in a circle before dropping her back down to the sand. “I’m so proud of you, Vi. You deserve to be happy.”

Her eyes shift to Liza as her nose scrunches up. “You do, too.”

“I am.” Hartley juts his chin towards Ryan to continue.

“Go have fun. I’ll catch up with you later.

” Violet scoots away from her once protector into the arms of her new one, and the sight has me close to losing it.

My hand raises to my belly and rubs, the motion becoming a habit before I realize where I am.

I need to tell him. I took a pregnancy test a few days ago and the lines screamed positive only a few minutes after the pee hit the stick.

I’ve been trying to figure out the best way to tell Hart, but my fears of abandonment creep into my mind, convincing myself to prolong the inevitable.

“Let’s go sit.” Hartley ushers us to an empty table away from the noise of the speaker I turned on. Violet and Ryan toast champagne glasses with his mom. She isn’t walking as much or far as she used to, but she’s here, and that means the most to the both of them.

He places me on his lap, both of us facing toward the water as he rubs circles on my wrist. “What’s going on in that mind of yours?”

“Nothing,” I blurt out too quickly.

“Goldie, tell me.”

“I’m scared,” I admit.

“There’s nothing to be scared of. I’ve got you, forever.”

“I’m. . . Earlier this week, I. . .” He cuts me off before I have a chance to speak.

He grabs my chin to twist my glittery face to his. My hands play with the ends of his hair. “You’re pregnant.”

“I’m—How did you know?!”

“Found the test in the bathroom. You’d make a horrible detective, babe.” He chuckles as his large palms cups over my stomach. “I was waiting for you to come to me.”

“You’ve known for days and let me freak out about how to tell you?!”

He grins and faces the ground. “You could say that.”

“Why?”

“You needed to come to terms with it on your own. Sort it out in that beautiful head of yours. I was prepared to wait it out for as long as you needed.”

“Aren’t you scared? Mad? Nauseous?”

“No. No. And No.” He slowly rubs back and forth on my belly, making butterflies come to life and flutter around inside. “I want it all with you in whatever order you’ll give it to me.”

“Are you sure you want this? With me?”

“More sure than I’ve been about anything. You’re it for me. My present and future. My one way home. I love you, Goldie.”

“Love you, too, Hotshot.”