Page 246 of The Friends and Rivals Collection

EPILOGUE

Vanessa

In his tux, Shaw is exactly as handsome as I imagined he’d look.

Correction: more handsome. He’s somehow even better-looking now that he’s mine. Because we’ve opened up to each other. Because we trust each other. Because we’re together, and that makes me more attracted to him every single day.

Crazy, huh? I already thought I’d reached the edge of attraction, but I can see that it’s infinite when you don’t have to love in secret. I love Shaw more now that I’ve set my emotions free from where I’d hidden them—free with room to breathe and expand and grow.

I love him more now that I can share my love with him.

With his elbow hooked through mine, we walk down the aisle till we reach Derek and the minister, who happens to be married to Derek’s sister. His brother-in-law is a military chaplain, so he’s handling the vows.

Shaw takes his place next to the groom, his smile lingering on me.

I stand next to Arden, and Derek’s sister, Jodie.

When the wedding music begins, all eyes turn to the bride as Perri, radiant in white and holding a bouquet of lilies, walks down the aisle, looking as happy as anyone could ever possibly be on her wedding day.

When she reaches the altar, she meets Derek’s gaze and whispers hi .

It’s so tender and intimate. It’s everything I could want for my friend.

He whispers hi back to her, and even in that two-letter word, I hear so much love.

My throat catches, and out of the corner of my eye, I glance at Arden next to me.

We don’t have to say anything. We’ve always had an intuitive kind of language, the three of us friends.

I feel passing between us this happiness—this awareness that here we are, decades later, still best friends and heading into new and wonderfully fabulous phases of our lives.

Later, the three of us gather in a corner of the reception hall under the twinkling lights, watching other guests dance. I lift a glass of champagne to offer a toast. “Look at us. The kick-ass girls of Lucky Falls.”

Perri raises a glass high. “I propose a new name. The kick-ass women.”

Arden lifts her champagne but doesn’t take a drink. “I’ll toast to that.”

I stare at her, instantly knowing why the bubbly isn’t touching her lips. “Why aren’t you drinking champagne? Is there something you want to tell us?”

She giggles then says, “I’m having a baby in six more months.”

I squeal. Perri shrieks. And we group-hug in the biggest group hug ever.

Someone else is having a good time here too.

My little sister.

Turns out Ella’s the one Miriam had in mind for Jamie.

Turns out Jamie has had his eye on her for a while as well.

And all it took was Derek and Miriam plotting to bring two new couples together.

The other night, I texted her.

Vanessa: Why didn’t you tell me YOU were the one who wanted to get on Jamie, stat?

Ella: I did say he deserved a Marquez sister. I just didn’t say which one. :)

Vanessa: My, my. You sure do like semantics, don’t you?

Ella: I do enjoy words. :) But seriously. I also knew you’d never wind up with him.

Vanessa: Why?

Ella: Please. I’m a lover of books, stories, and romance.

I’ve been devouring tales since I could read.

It was inevitable that you had it bad for your best friend’s brother, and it would only take time, or a snowstorm, for you to get together.

I wish I could take responsibility for that snowstorm, but fate obviously knew the two of you needed it.

Vanessa: You’re too observant for your own good.

Ella: Well, it was patently obvious you’ve had it bad for Shaw for years.

Vanessa: And do you have it bad for Jamie?

Ella: I haven’t even been on a date with him!

Vanessa: That’s not the question.

Ella: I’ll answer the question after I go out with him.

Vanessa: My money is on yes.

I take a spin on the dance floor with Shaw, passing Ella and Jamie on the way. He looks enchanted with my sexy librarian sister. I wink and wish her luck.

She blows me a kiss. “Your money is right.”

“I knew it.”

On the other side of the room, Miriam tucks a strand of hair behind her ear and smiles. Shaw and I make our way across the dance floor, stopping in front of her.

“Thank you, Miriam.”

“No, darling. Thank you. All is well in Lucky Falls when it comes to love.”

“I’ll say.”

We return to dancing, where we shimmy next to Shaw’s father and mother. His dad gives a tip of the cap, a nod, and a smile to his son, then mouths Well done .

“I’ll say,” Shaw echoes.