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Reece picked up a tag and handed it to her before taking one for himself. “Here you go,” he said gently.

Alesha turned the small wooden tag over in her fingers, her gaze drifting briefly to the lake beyond. What was left to wish for? So much of what she wanted already felt within reach. Still, she pressed the pen to the wood and paused. Then, slowly, she wrote, “The courage to choose the life I want.”

Her heart raced as she read it back. It was honest, almost terrifyingly so. Beside her, Reece had already finished, but she didn’t look at his. Instead, she stepped forward and tied her wish to a lower branch.

Reece moved beside her, hanging his just above it. “What did you wish for?” he asked quietly.

She smiled, shaking her head. “If I tell you, it won’t come true.”

A soft huff of laughter escaped him. “Pretty sure that’s not how that works.”

“That’s exactly how wishes work,” she said primly.

He studied her like he wanted to argue but didn’t. Instead, his hand found hers, his fingers lacing through them with easy familiarity. Alesha leaned into him without thinking, her gaze drifting back to the tree.

To her wish.

And for the first time since she’d written it, it felt real. Like she’d put it out into the universe, and it was all going to work out.

“Okay,” Reece said after a moment. “Where to first? Concert, firepit with cocoa and s’mores, or a boat ride? Although I think we need to sign up for that.”

“Hmm…” She considered it. “Let’s sign up for the boat, then catch the concert until it’s time, and finish with cocoa by a firepit. And Maisie said we should head down to the lake by eleven-thirty to get a good spot for the fireworks with them in the owners’ section.”

“Sounds like a plan.”

He led them toward the boat pier.

“Are your dad and Joanne coming down here later?” he asked. “I thought he had mentioned it.”

“I’m not sure. Joanne said they had a few different parties to choose from, so… who knows.” She paused. “I was actually thinking I might suggest my dad take a vacation once I move back.”

Reece glanced over. “Oh yeah? Where do you want to go?”

She laughed softly. “Not with me. For him and Joanne. He keeps mentioning how he hasn’t taken a real vacation in years—just trips to Oregon to see me.” She hesitated. “If I’m here, I could help more with the bookstore.”

The look he gave her was full of warmth. “That’s all he’s ever wanted, you know. To share The Lit Loft with you and eventually…”

“I know.” She nodded. “He wants me to take it over. I wasn’t interested before, but now…” Smiling, she shrugged. “Now it feels right. Like everything’s falling into place.”

“Good,” Reece said quietly. “Because it is.”

“I just hope…”

He stopped, gently pressing a finger to her lips.

“No negative thoughts tonight,” he said. “Only happy ones. This is the right decision. Everyone’s going to support it. Okay?”

She nodded.

“Okay.” He smiled, dropping his hand and taking hers again. “Now let’s go see about that boat.”

By the time they made their way down to the lake near the owners’ cabins, the crowd had already gathered.

Lights shimmered across the water, reflecting gold and white against the dark surface. Music drifted through the chilly night air, mingling with laughter and bursts of excitement as people found their places.

Reece barely noticed any of it.

His focus was entirely on Alesha.