“Right,” I agreed.
We climbed inside the warm tent, zipping up the entrance and taking off our coats, hats, and gloves.
“I’m kind of bummed that this is the last thing on the list to complete,” Lily admitted once we got comfortable. She pulled out the pink piece of paper from her pocket—the list that started it all. “I know the point was to finish this”—she twisted her lips to the side as she looked at the paper—“but checking these things off the list with you and making these memories was incredible. And now it’s over.”
I wrapped an arm around her, pulling her into my side and pressing a gentle kiss to her temple. “We might’ve finished one list…” I started. I had one more surprise for Lily.
I leaned over to the bag with the thermos and snacks and pulled out two pieces of stationary and various pens. Yes, I’d even picked up a pack of glitter pens. I wanted to make sure my girl got everything she wanted in this life.
“But that doesn’t mean we can’t start another. One that we could make together and keep adding to this year, next year, ten years from now.” My tone grew softer, my words holding more weight. “Or seventy years from now.” I set the supplies in front of us and turned my attention back to Lily, only to see tears in her eyes again.
“Oh, Sunshine,” I murmured. “I hope those are happy tears.”
“Very,veryhappy tears. Oh, Gabe. I love you so much. There’s so much I want to do with you. I have a feeling we’llneed more pieces of paper for our list, because this is just the beginning.”
“I love you, too, Lily. So damn much.”
It truly was only the beginning. We had so much ahead of us—getting married, watching Lily expand her business, traveling, and starting a family one day. It was all waiting for us.
“Oh, Gabe, look!” Lily gasped, and our attention turned to the sky as a sudden, thin streak of white light moved across. It lasted only a few seconds. Since the meteor shower wasn’t anticipated to start for another hour, this was likely a one off, but it meant the final thing on Lily’s wish list was checked off.
“That was so magical.” Lily’s voice was quiet, wistful. “Did you have enough time to make a wish?”
I tipped her chin up, looking down into her blue eyes. “Didn’t need to. I have everything I could ever want right here.”
Lily grinned and playfully rolled her eyes before pressing a kiss to my lips, murmuring, “I should’ve known you’d say something sweet like that. You always do.”
“What about you? Did you make a wish?” I asked.
“Uh, of course,” Lily said playfully. “I’ve been thinking about it the last few weeks.”
I raised my brow. “Oh, yeah? And what was it?”
“I can’t tell you! Otherwise the wish won’t happen.” She gently nudged my side. “And I really,reallywant this one to come true.”
I hummed in thought. “Well, luckily, we have forever to make it happen, don’t we?”
Lily rolled her lips, a blush forming on her cheeks as she nodded. “Yeah, we sure do. Forever sounds absolutely perfect with you.”
I had a feeling—and hoped—her wish had to do with us. About everything that was to come. I couldn’t wait to propose to Lily—soon, if I had my way.
When I first got to Golden Falls—and for most of my life, really—I felt like I was on the outside looking in. I didn’t think that would ever change. But now?
I finally felt part of something—part of a town, part of a family—and that meant everything to me. Lily meant everything to me.
With her by my side, life was less scary, way less lonely, a whole lot brighter, and so much more magical.
EPILOGUE
LILY
Three monthslater
April
I rubbed my eyes with a groan as I woke up to three sets of meows—screams, really. My six a.m. alarm hadn’t gone off yet, which meant it was even earlier.
Great.
