Page 118 of If the Stars Align

Dex leans toward me to whisper in my ear. “That’s a good look for you,” he says.

My cheeks heat up as I smile at him.

“We’re so sorry!” Mia says breathlessly. “The babysitter canceled, my parents picked up the cold Avery had last week, and Evan’s are in Hong Kong.” She sighs deeply and blows a strand of hair off her face. “Are we even allowed to bring kids to this thing?”

“Of course. We’re very kid-friendly,” my husband reassures them.

“Great! Evan will take ’em outside if they’re too noisy. We’ll see you guys after the show!” Mia says with an eager grin as she puts James down on the floor and takes Maeve from me.

“Bye, Aunt Sunny!” Avery sings as she frees herself from her dad’s grip and darts into the auditorium. Mia runs after her with Maeve and James, while Evan hangs back.

“Be right there, honey!” he calls after his wife. Then he leans toward Dex. “By the way…I couldn’t help but overhear.” He looks around before he continues, his voice nearly a whisper. “What is this thing you do that has Sunny screaming so loud?”

“I’ll explain later,” Dex tells him as I hide behind my hands.

Through parted fingers, I watch the two men fist-bump.

When everyone’s seated, Dex walks onstage to raucous applause and gives a brief introduction about tonight’s performance. Then, as the lights dim, he comes back to sit withme, our family and friends, in the front row.

The show is incredible. Even better than the Chicago performances, because the kids are more comfortable in front of an audience now. When it’s over, Dex goes back onstage to thank everyone for coming, then tells them more about The Dramatic Hearts Academy.

While my husband is speaking, I wait for him in the wings. My mind flashes back to eighteen-year-old Sunny, who stood heartbroken at the bottom of the stairs behind me, after witnessing Jenna Andersen kiss him.

It’s funny how much has changed since then. I used to see Jenna as an ideal I could never live up to. The Homecoming Queen. The Head Cheerleader. The Most Popular Girl in School. Now I know that I don’t need to be anyone but my perfectly imperfect self. I also realize that, like my husband, Jenna’s just as human as I am.

After I confessed to Dex that she was the reason I didn’t give him my love letter in high school, he told me that he ran into her in LA. That she was as heartbroken over her ex as Dex was over me. That they commiserated about the lost loves of their lives, and became involved again, but decided to remain friends.

I know Jenna believes she isn’t capable of loving anyone the way she loved her ex, but I hope she’s wrong. I hope she gets her happy ending, just like I did.

If I could, I’d go back in time and give eighteen-year-old Sunny a hug, then wipe away her tears. I’d tell her not to worry, because all her dreams come true—eventually.

But life isn’t that easy. We can never predict what’s around thenext corner.

If we could, would we take it all for granted?

All I know is that standing here, after every tear I’ve shed, I’m the happiest I’ve ever been. Soon, I’ll be a published author. I’m married to the love of my life. And I’m about to tell him we’re going to be parents.

Everything I went through led me to this moment. And it was worth it.

I watch as my husband walks offstage. When he meets my gaze, he smiles.

Then he kisses me.