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“Yep. Emily’s treat.”
Lincoln’s face splits into a rare grin as he lifts me up and holds me close to him, not caring that we’re out in Winterdale with people walking around us.
“In that case, what do you say we grab a slice of red velvet cake from the bakery and head back to the cabin?”
I loop my arms around his neck, resting my forehead against his. It’s a frosty January morning, but Lincoln is warm, and I snuggle against him with a smile.
“That sounds like the best plan I’ve ever heard.”
A flake of snow falls on my hand, melting on my skin, and I look up from Lincoln’s chest to see the heavens opening, a million delicate snowflakes drifting to the ground.
“We’ll get some hot chocolate too,” Lincoln says, following my gaze up into the bright white sky.
“Perfect.”
He carries me to the truck, and I get in the passenger seat, watching as Lincoln gets in the front. His beard is wet with melting snowflakes, and his deep blue eyes are glittering like mountain lakes. When he looks at me, they fill with so much love and affection that it takes my breath away.
“I love you,” I tell him, my heart melting as he smiles at the words.
“I love you too, beautiful. More than anything.”
Epilogue
Lincoln
I fiddle with my shirt cuffs, my heart hammering as I walk through the woods.
“Stop messing with that damn shirt,” Nash says from beside me, pulling my hand away. “You look great.”
I let out a nervous huff of breath. “I should have gotten a size larger.”
Brett chuckles from my other side. “Linc, I promise Daisy isn’t going to care if your sleeves are a little short. It looks good—this way you can see your tattoos a little.”
We finally reach the small forest glade, and my eyes go wide as I mutter, “Holy shit.”
The little corner of woodland has been transformed. Fairy lights and flickering lanterns dangle from the trees, brightening the shadowy evening with glowing orange light. A smattering of rustic wooden chairs is arranged in front of a huge, flowering wedding arch made of pink and white roses, and two lines of rose petals mark the aisle through the chairs. I grin as I take it all in, looking at the faces in the small crowd around us. We wanted a small, intimate wedding, and we got it. A few of Daisy and Brett’s closest relatives are here along with Emily’s husband Axel, Nash’s wife, Ava, our friends Ella and Cade who live a short drive down the mountain, and Brett’s new fiancée, Ruby. They all cheer as Nash, Brett, and I walk down the aisle, taking our places in front of the wedding arch.
“Thanks for coming everyone,” I say, laughing as they let out another cheer. “It means a lot.”
I turn to Brett, gripping his hand in a firm shake. “Good luck.”
He grins at me, moving to stand beneath the wedding arch, facing the crowd. “Don’t worry, buddy. Ruby’s been helping me practice. I’m gonna officiate the hell out of this wedding.”
Daisy and I figured it would be really special to have Brett marry us. As my best friend and her brother, he seemed like the perfect choice to perform the ceremony, and I know he’ll do an awesome job. From the first day we told him about our relationship, he’s been nothing but supportive, and he has no idea how grateful I am for that.
“You okay?” Nash asks as we wait at the top of the aisle, standing shoulder to shoulder. Asking my brother to be my best man was another no-brainer.
“Yeah.” I take a deep breath and mutter, “I don’t know why I’m this fucking nervous. I just really want her to love all this. I want it to be everything she dreamed of.”
“She’s gonna love it, Linc. It’s beautiful.”
I nod. “It really is. Emily and Ava did an amazing job making it look this pretty.”
Nash chuckles. “I’ll tell her you said that. This wedding has been Ava’s whole life for the past few weeks.”
“I owe you both. Big time.”
My brother gives my shoulder an affectionate squeeze, and I feel my throat constrict a little. This time a few years ago, I was a million miles from home, estranged from my brother and trying to run from the past. I was lonely and miserable as hell. Now, I’m home. My brother and my best friend are by my side, and the woman of my dreams is about to walk down the aisle toward me. I still don’t know how the hell I got here, but I’ve never been happier.
