Page 13 of The Last Love Story (Baker Girls #3)

CHAPTER ELEVEN

JUSTIN

Today’s the day. And as I sit in bed, tablet in hand, getting ready to make an important video call, I’m nervous. These two are my family, and I hope they take it okay.

Before I can hit the button to call them, they call me. That’s what I get for texting to make sure they were free for one right now.

I swipe to answer and am greeted with Devon’s and Kennedy’s very serious faces.

“Doesn’t look like you’re in jail,” Devon says.

“Why would I video call you from jail? How would I do that?”

Dev shrugs. “I don’t know. You’re the one being weird and formal.”

“Is everything okay?” Kennedy asks.

I blow out a breath and run a hand through my hair.

“Everything’s good. I’m just calling to update you about a life change.”

Kennedy’s eyes narrow. “Are you doing porn? Seriously, tell me the truth, and tell me which websites to avoid, because—no offense—I don’t want to see that.”

The way her lips tip up at the corners tells me she’s fucking with me.

“I’m not doing porn,” I say flatly.

“Then what’s up? Have you been body snatched? Abducted by aliens? Stop being weird,” Devon says.

“I’m getting married.”

Kennedy’s eyes fly wide, and Devon just stares.

Glancing at her boyfriend, Kend grabs the phone and tilts it toward her. “When and to who? What haven’t you told us?”

I clear my throat. “I am marrying Jade.”

“Jade…” Kennedy’s eyes get even wider. “Jade Jackson? The author that you… damn. That’s fast.” She points at me. “Did you knock her up?”

That gets a laugh out of me. “Sorry. Surprise pregnancy isn’t my trope.”

“You’re right, it’s he falls first.” She tilts her head. “And hard. You really like her.”

“I do.”

Devon appears in the frame again. “But this is fast. If you tell us it’s right, we’ll support you, no questions asked. As your best friend, it’s my job to ask… are you sure?”

I stare at them through the screen. “I’m sure, but there’s more you should know. He falls first isn’t my only trope.”

Then I explain it all.

“Okay, you have my stamp of approval,” Devon says when I’ve finished. “This is so you it hurts. And after all we talked about when you were here last month, I know this is ultimately what you want. I trust your judgment that she’s it.”

“You’re writing your own love story,” Kennedy says. “And you deserve that. Also, you should totally write an actual story based on this one day.”

I laugh to myself. “We’ll see how this plays out first.”

Kennedy meets my eyes. “It’s going to be perfect.”

“What time is this happening?” Devon asks.

“Uh, just under two hours. Why?”

“I want to be sure we have time to call Gladys and my parents so we can all be on a video call to watch.”

Emotion swells in my chest, and for a second, it’s hard to talk. Dev’s parents have always treated me like a second son, and Gladys, who has run Devon’s family’s inn for most of his life, has always been a mix of mom and aunt to me.

“Thank you.”

“I wish I was there to hug you,” Kennedy says.

“Well, you’ll have to come out and visit. Did I mention she lives twenty minutes from Frannie?”

“Almost like it was meant to be,” Devon says knowingly.

“Hey, you remember what you told me when you were here visiting? That I was happier here in Brighton than you’d ever seen me?” Kennedy asks. I nod, and she smiles. “You’re happier than I’ve ever seen you.”

“Thanks, Kend.”

There’s a knock on the door, and I glance over at it. Standing up, I bring my tablet with me. Hopefully it’s not Jade changing her mind or Zoey or Trish coming to tell me she ran off.

Breathe.

I swing the door open and find a man who looks familiar, but I can’t place why.

“Hi. Can I help you?”

“You’re Justin Ayers?”

And something about the sound of his voice and the look in his eyes tells me exactly who it is.

I look back down at the tablet to see Kennedy and Devon staring back at me questioningly. “Guys, I’ve gotta go.”

I’m standing in the hallway, waiting anxiously for Jade. The little chapel is set up perfectly, and I really hope she’s going to love it. Zoey and Trish are already inside, along with the minister.

Devon, Kennedy, Gladys, and Devon’s parents are all at the inn, ready to watch this on the large TV in the ballroom. Their support means more to me than anything my parents could ever give me.

I already know my folks are going to be pissed and they’ll guilt trip me six ways from Sunday, but I don’t need their approval.

I paid my landlord an extra month’s rent for him to relabel all my boxes and be there when the shipping company comes to pick them up, so I don’t have to bother going home.

Not home. Not anymore.

I’m almost afraid to hope that Woods Junction will feel like home, but I’m optimistic. I’m always optimistic. It’s what gets me through life. But acknowledging how badly I want this is risking my heart getting crushed.

I never thought I could be sure of something so quickly, but I’m sure about Jade, and I know this is the path I’m meant to be on.

The sound of footsteps makes me look up, and when I do, my breath sticks in my lungs.

There, walking down the hallway, is Jade looking utterly breathtaking in a short tank top dress with a flared tulle bottom.

Her hair is swept back into a low bun with side braids, wispy strands framing her face, and she’s smiling.

It’s a soft, comfortable smile that makes my heart race.

“Hi, almost-hubby.”

“Hi. You are… stunning. Captivating. Mesmerizing. I need more synonyms because those don’t do you justice.”

She laughs a little. “Thank you. You look very handsome.”

I feel like nothing compared to her. My light gray suit and crisp white shirt are fine, but she looks like she stepped out of a whimsical love story.

I hope the little chapel does her justice.

She steps up to me and takes my hand. “Ready for this? Last chance to run.”

“Not a chance, darlin’. I’m a lucky man.”

Her cheeks heat, and when she looks into my eyes, that same heat dances in her brown irises.

“I’m the perfect representation of a princess today. Pretty dress, in a bit of pinch, and need a little help. That’s when the handsome prince strolls in and offers her his hand.”

“It’s an honor to be your prince.”

Her gaze flits to my lips, and I find myself reaching for her, wrapping a hand around the side of her neck, my stomach buzzing with desire as she inches closer. I’ve wanted this since the moment we met. Wanted her lips on mine. Wanted to feel the amplification of this connection between us.

“Justin,” she breathes against my lips.

The sound of a door slamming down the hall makes us jump.

She sucks in a big breath and takes half a step back. “I don’t think we’re supposed to kiss until after the ceremony.”

“Is that a promise?”

Her eyes flash with mischief. “It wouldn’t be a fairytale wedding if it didn’t have a magical kiss.”

She runs her hand over my arm as she goes to move past me, but I step in front of her again.

“Before you go in there, there’s someone special who wants to see you.”

Her brow furrows. “Who?”

I knock twice on the door, and slowly, it opens.

I watch as Jade’s face goes from confused to surprised to brimming with emotion.

“Dad?”