“Very interesting indeed,” I replied.
The music changed, and the opening beat of “Love Shack” came from the speakers next to the dance floor.
“That’s our cue.” Brady held out his hand.
I took it, grinning.
“Let’s snag Larry on the way,” he said, as we maneuvered around tables and chairs.
I drained my glass and looped my arm through my cousin’s despite her protests. But by the time Becca dragged Will out to join us, Larry was laughing as Brady spun her around and around.
We stomped our feet in time to the lyrics. Jordan and Chloe hurried out to the middle of our circle from where they’d been making the rounds and garnering well-wishes. The dance floor filled up as we danced and sang. The deejay kept things going with “Y.M.C.A.” and “Celebration,” classic reception songs that weall knew by heart. Candace and Mercer then made their way out, as did my sister, Bonnie.
When the tone shifted and “Don’t Stop Believin’” by Journey filtered through the barn, Brady didn’t hesitate. He held out a hand for Bonnie and spent the next four minutes making her laugh.
“Do you ever just hate how charming he is?” Larry chuckled.
We had our arms on top of each other’s shoulders and were swaying like middle schoolers.
I laughed. “Yes.”
She raised a single dark brow. “You know it wasn’t hate all that time, right?”
I’d gotten a fair amount of I-told-you-so-ing from her as well. Nothing as ridiculous as Abby’s public acknowledgement, but it was still pretty annoying.
“I know,” I said. “But in the end, it doesn’t matter. Whatever we were doing, no matter how unhinged or absurd, brought us together.”
And that was the beauty of it. I never saw my twenty-five-year feud with Brady as wasted time.
He’d been right today, standing under that gazebo. Timing mattered. Love might find you when you least expected it, but it was undoubtedly meant to be. And I was tired of regretting my life away over missed opportunities and misplaced expectations.
I’d never try to undo the pranks and the public spectacle. Couldn’t even if I wanted to. It was who we were, and I loved it almost as much as I loved Brady.
Our rivalry was what lassoed my heart. Sure, there might have been a little rope burn. At first, I’d been dragged along, kicking and screaming. But I never claimed I wasn’t stubborn.
Brady and I had history—boatloads of it. But we weren’t supposed to fall in love until it happened. Like a lightning strike or a flash flood. A kiss in the front seat of a truck that changed my life forever.
I’d never wish it away, and I wouldn’t change a single thing about the path we’d taken.
Except for the Elmer’s-glue thing.
We could have maybe skipped that one.
The fun in Kirby Falls continues with Bonnie’s story inLeaf You Hanging, coming November 4, 2025. Preorder your copy today! Keep reading for a sneak peek excerpt.
Want more of Mac and Brady? Well I have TWO bonus scenes for you!
First up is a sweet bonus epilogue featuring Mac and Brady traveling together for the first time. Get the bonus scene HERE when you sign up for my newsletter.
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Were you curious about that Elmer’s Glue Incident of 2009? I have the flashback bonus scene for you right HERE! Enjoy teenage Brady and Mac and their prank shenanigans!
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Leaf You HangingSneak Peek Excerpt!
Chapter One
