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“I fell in love with you while actively, purposely, passionately . . . fighting against it. I put up all my defenses, hedged all my excuses, and held you at a distance, and still, I fell hard and fast and so deep I couldn’t mine my way out. The joy I feel now, allowing myself to love you with my whole heart? It’s indescribable. A high unlike any drug or adrenaline rush and worth more than my job, my pride, or the air in my lungs. Other men need water, food, shelter, perhaps . . . I just need you.”

“Oh my God,” she whispers on a cry.

“Valentina Cordone . . . I know it hasn’t been long, but even one more day without knowing we’ll have forever seems like an eternity. Will you make me the happiest man alive and marry me?”

She’s nodding before I can even finish the question. “Yes. If you need food, I’ll make you food. If you need water, I’ll bring you water. If you need shelter, well, I’m sure Al will let us stay here. But whatever we do and wherever we are, I want to be with you.”

I slide the ring on her finger and jump to my feet, scooping her into my arms and spinning her around and around as I press my lips to hers.

“Al, get out here!” I yell. “We’re celebrating!”

Not even a second later, Alfred appears with a bottle of champagne, shooting the cork into the night sky and screaming, “Wahoo! My girl’s officially off the market, Nashville!”

You bet your ass she is.

And so am I.

For good.

No more hoodies. No more hookups.

Just Valentina and the life I never dared to dream of.

Valentina

Sunday, May 14

6:30 p.m.

Two weeks ago, in Avalyn’s favorite park—just in front of the bench Alfred had dedicated to her—Shane and I said “I do.”

It was an intimate ceremony with just me, him, Sunnie, Cher, Dom, Hannah, and Alfred.

We swore our lives to one another, kissed beneath a spill of hydrangeas, and toasted with lattes and rainbow bagels while Avalyn—somehow—felt close enough to be a part of it.

Shane looked incredible in an unexpected mint-green suit and white tie, and I felt like the luckiest woman in the world wearing Avalyn’s wedding dress, knowing its track record with happily ever afters. Alfred offered it to me the night Shane proposed in his backyard, and after a quick try-on in Al’s bedroom—and more than a few tears—I begged for a chance to keep it as my own. Al being Al said an enthusiastic yes.

He also got dolled up in a blue linen suit on the day of our wedding and gifted us with flowers, Tootsie Pops, and balloons to send messages to Avalyn during our little afternoon reception in the park.

Dom and Hannah used the occasion to dress up in their Sunday best on one of their first outings alone since having baby Abby. And Sunnie and Cher attended with smiles and giggles, chirping like fan girls about Smokin’ Hot Shane being the ultimate hot guy the entire time.

We left on our honeymoon that night—a short trip to North Carolina for a few days away in the mountains—and unfortunately came home to the unexpected and jarring news that our dearest Alfred had passed away in his sleep the night before we got back.

I should be sad—and I am, almost crushingly, on the days I miss my friend—but the real heart of me knows the truth. Alfred enjoyed his time here with me and Shane and Pip, but what he really wanted more than anything in the world was the chance to be with his love Avalyn again. And now he is.

His lawyer contacted me almost immediately, explaining that Alfred had left his worldly possessions, including the house and Pip, to me in a trust, and that I could take possession immediately.

Shane and I talked about it, and neither one of us could imagine raising a family anywhere but here, where turtles wear top hats and roosters cover the walls. Here, in Alfred’s house, away from Rita’s HOA and chaos, and where love is at the heart of everything.

And today, we’re moving in.

My mom keeps to herself in her new place in Franklin; my dad is in prison, and I’ve yet to find a reason or desire to go see him. I also haven’t heard from Nico since he left on assignment, but all in all, I’m finding my new normal.

By and large, it’s the happiest I’ve ever been.

The Hole Story is still my book-and-bagel baby that keeps me on my toes and puts a smile on my face. Sunnie and Cher are still my two favorite—and only—employees. And, if anything, we’ve only gotten busier with customers and daily regulars and everything in between.

My wonder girls keep telling me I should consider opening another shop on the opposite end of town, but the hustle doesn’t seem worth it—my life and inner circle are perfectly intimate and fulfilling as they are.