Page 106 of Timber's Line

“Yeah, opening a gym up there. Memphis is opening his own, and we are going to be the expansion. Don’t worry, I’ll still be around. I’ll be checking up on you. If he’s not treating you right, I will sweep you off your feet and carry you all the way back to the land of the blue bonnets.” He winks.

“You are crazy.” I smile. Being around Axel is easy. I know with Dayton it will be hard at first. We will both be scared the other will bolt.

“So, the finale?”

“I’m guessing it will be you and Silas.” I grin.

“It will.”

“It will bring Uncle Sal a lot of views, brothers fighting to the very end.” I know that’s what he wanted. While Memphis and Skye both found love with the show, the rest of it was as fake as all the other dating shows out there. But wait! I was finding love on the show. Huh? Maybe it wasn’t fake after all.

No, it was. But my love for that asshole wasn’t.

I sit in silence with Axel, feeling peace. No more cutting. No more putting myself down. I found a home.

“Timber, we have to go shopping,” Ever calls.

“Shopping?” Axel lifts a brow.

“She wants me to pick my own dress for the finale instead of wardrobe picking it for me.”

He traces my cheek, and I relish his comfort for a minute but wish it was Dayton. “You will look beautiful.”

“Thank you.” I head to Ever’s SUV and slip into the passenger seat. The back two rows are filled with McKenna, Ariel, Skye, and Ivy.

“The gang’s all here,” I snort.

“Wouldn’t miss this,” Skye says. She’s changed a lot in the last few months.

“Motherhood and love will do that to you.” She smirks as the others chuckle.

“I didn’t mean to say that out loud.”

“I know you didn’t. I’ll take it as a compliment.”

I’m happy for her. She is right, love will change people. But is love enough?

Ever pulls up to an expensive dress store, and I don’t want to get out of the car.

“This is too much.” I’m still in school, I don’t have any money.

“Oh, just think of it as an apology from the family, Dad, Uncle Austin, and Uncle Sal.”

Still weird to call the guy who was my dad uncle.

“What?”

“They wanted you to have whatever dress you want. Money is no object.”

“Um.” I’m still undecided.

“At least try some on and see what you like,” Ariel urged.

“Alright, couldn’t hurt,” I reply.

We had the whole shop to ourselves. Memphis pulled out all the stops, probably because Ever told him to. That caused me to giggle a little. Ever was tiny compared to her husband, and the thought of her ordering him around was hilarious.

Ivy ordered a massive buffet of sushi and champagne.