As they left the lights and noise of the town behind, Hailey tilted her head back, smiling at the cluster of stars that speckled the inky sky. The wind rushed around and darkness surrounded them, and she was on top of the world. She’d been there since that night she walked into his ink shop.
Life was funny. She had been rambling along, doing what she was supposed to do, and then in came Goldie, turning her life upside down. And ordinary was no longer enough.
Goldie, her first real crush when she was a kid, and now her grown-up love.
When they arrived at the lake, Goldie’s desire-filled eyes held hers as he eased her down on the blanket. When he slowly moved his lips down her body, kissing and biting her skin, she looped her arms around his neck and held on tight.
He was her rock, her love, her life. And they’d hold onto each other no matter how rough the ride got.
She was finally where she’d always wanted to be, and she was never letting go.
Epilogue
Five weeks later
Hailey waved atFallon as she entered the restaurant. Pulling out a chair, she said, “Sorry I’m late. I got tied up at the shop.”
“No worries. Breanna and Raven are running behind as well. I just got a text from them. How’ve you been?”
“Better. I still can’t believe Dr. Daniels was the psycho. He was so different at the rehab center.”
Fallon nodded. “I know what you mean. People can be so deceiving.”
“He sure was, but then I only knew him through small snippets of time at the center. I just can’t even begin to imagine what his wife thought when she found out.”
“Would you like anything to drink?” the waitress asked just as Breanna and Raven came over to the table.
“A glass of merlot would be awesome,” Hailey said.
“A double Jack. Neat,” Raven said. Turning to the women, she shrugged. “I’ve had a shitty day.”
Breanna laughed. “I’ll have a glass of merlot as well.”
Fallon picked up her glass of white wine and shook her head. “I’m good, thanks.”
“I’m so glad I had an excuse to get away from the house. I’ve reworked this lady’s necklace like a hundred times. She keeps changing her mind on what charms she wants on it and she’s driving me up a fuckin’ wall.” Raven leaned back in her chair, a scowl wrinkling her brow.
“It’s like that at the flower shop. A lot of people tell you what they want and when you give it to them, they’ve already changed their minds on the colors or the flowers. Drives me nuts.” Hailey smiled when the waitress put a glass of merlot in front of her.
“How’re the plans for your California trip going?” Fallon asked.
“Goldie and I are leaving next week. It’ll be so good to get away for a while, especially for him.”
“How’s his grandmother doing?” Breanna asked softly.
“Getting worse. It just rips him up. It’s so hard to see someone you love die slowly. I don’t know how to help him,” Hailey answered.
“Just be there for him,” Breanna said. Fallon and Raven nodded.
“I am, but I wish I could take away the pain.” Hailey tore off a piece of bread and dipped it into the oil and balsamic vinegar.
“You being there means more than anything for him,” Raven said.
Before Hailey could answer, her phone rang. She glanced at the screen and saw it was Ryan. “It’s my brother. I’ll be right back,” she said as she pushed up from the chair. Standing outside the restaurant, she tapped the button. “Ryan! How are you?”
“Good. How’re you doing?”
“Better than okay. I’m out with some of the old ladies having dinner. A new Italian restaurant opened in town and it’s really good. When you come for Christmas, I’ll take you here. You’re coming, right?”
