AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“So what do you say, Freckles. Is it cool with you and Tortellini if I move in for good?”
She lifted up on her tiptoes and spoke against my lips. “We wouldn’t have it any other way.”
EPILOGUE
ALMA
Sometime later
I stood at the edge of the dance floor, my body swaying to the soothing beat of the music through the speakers, the skirt of my long, ivory dress swishing around my feet. There were people all around, guests I needed to put in a bit of FaceTime with, but I couldn’t rip my gaze off Roan as he danced with Sloane’s teenage step-daughter, Darcy, who happened to be a huge fan.
He was smiling at the sweet, shy girl, her cheeks burning a furious red under his attention. It had to have been the sweetest thing I’d ever seen.
I caught movement from the corner of my eye, a grin pulling at my lips as my girls gathered all around me.
Charlotte was the first to speak. “So, how’s it feel to be Mrs. Blackwell?” She was teasing, but if I were being honest, it felt really freaking great.
“I can’t believe this day has finally come,” Marin teased. “The woman who swore up and down foryearsshe was never getting married made the trip down the aisle today and pledged herself to another person.”
I chuckled as I shoved my elbow into her side.
Hardin came to my defense. “Okay, guys, leave her alone.” Or at least I thought that was what she was doing until she continued. “We have the rest of our lives to make fun of her for being a big old dummy. Let’s give her a day off today.”
Layla pouted. “But where’s the fun in that?”
“The fun is the open bar,” Asher answered.
Sloane lifted her glass of champagne in the air. “Amen to that!”
I turned to look at my friends, the women who were more like sisters. My ride or die, my family. I wouldn’t have been standing where I was if it hadn’t been for them, and for that reason—along with so many others—they had my loyalty until I took my last breath.
“I love you guys,” I said seriously. “I want you all to know that. I love you, and I’m grateful each and every day that I met you.” I zeroed in on McKenna. “That you gave me a chance and brought me into your little ragtag family.”
They began to sniffle, and I knew I’d succeeded. They could make fun of me for getting married when I’d vowed to never go down that road, but I’d return the favor and make fun of them for being giant crybabies.
But for today... well, I was taking today off, and I was going to go dance with my new husband.
I glided across the dance floor just as the song ended and Roan released Darcy’s hand. She shot a timid grin up and him and took off with a giggle.
“Hey, music star,” I started as I stopped in front of him. That had been my nickname for him ever since his last album—the one he’d recorded and produced himself, the one full of beautiful, meaningful songs—blew up the charts. He’d won his very first Grammy with it, and cleaned up at the AMAs and CMAs. People lovedhisnew sound, but only I knew it was his original voice. “How about taking your wife for a spin on the dance floor?”
He smiled so big his dimple pressed deep beneath his five o’clock shadow. “Can’t imagine a better way to spend the next three and a half minutes,” Roan said as he pulled me into his arms and started to lead the way.
I let out a scoff and smiled up at him. “The next three and a half minutes? Hate to break it to you, but you’re stuck with me for the rest of our lives.”
He leaned down and brushed his lips against mine. “Just the way it was always meant to be.”
I closed my eyes and melted into him as I thought no truer words had ever been spoken.
The End.
