Epilogue
Nine months later
Aria
Today is, without a doubt, one of the most exciting days of my life. It’s the official launch of my first book, and we’re having the launch party at the No Shelf Control bookstore. The girls have been amazing, promoting my book and offering to throw a launch party to help spread the word.
“Ready to go?” Caleb asks while rushing down the stairs, almost knocking down the ice-skating rink we built. “Oops. Got a little too excited there. Do you like my shirt?” he asks, pointing at a T-s hirt that says “My girlfriend is the next bestselling author.”
I chuckle, shaking my head. “Love it. Although, that’s a lot of pressure with all these bestselling author expectations. Just because you won the Stanley Cup again doesn’t mean I’m going to be a champion too.”
He takes my hand and draws me close. “I’ll love you even if the only copy you ever sell is to me.”
Butterflies swarm in my belly every time he tells me he loves me, and this time is no exception. I couldn’t ask for a better boyfriend, a better partner.
“Phew,” I joke. “Because it’s really hard for an unknown author to top the charts—especially an indie author. And besides, that’s not even my ambition. I’m just happy to tell my story, you know?”
“Hmm, that makes sense. In that case, should I change T-shirts?”
“No.” I giggle. “It’s fine. I didn’t mean it like that.”
He pauses, thinking something over. “Actually, you know what? I think I will. I have another. Just hold on.”
He runs back upstairs, and I check the time on my phone. I really can’t be late to my own launch party.
Finally, he comes back, and I gasp when my eyes land on his shirt. It says “My fiancée is the next bestselling author.”
I blink rapidly as he gets down on one knee before me.
“Caleb,” I whisper.
“ I was saving this shirt, and this ring,” he says, opening a red leather box to reveal the most stunning white diamond set on a gold band, “for after the party, but then I thought, why not now? I don’t need to wait any longer.”
My heart beats faster by the second, and I try my best to breathe.
“Aria, it didn’t take long for me to realize how special you are. Actually, the moment you started talking like a pirate did it for me.”
I laugh. “Really? That’s when you fell for me.”
He nods, an amused look on his face. “It is. I thought, ‘who is this girl who’s been hurt and is living anyone’s worst nightmare, but still manages to be funny and have a positive outlook?’”
“I just thought it’d tell you how weird I am, but . . .”
He chuckles, taking my hand. “You’re perfect. Not to mention resilient, strong, beautiful, kind, funny, and everything in between, and I love you so much. Nothing would make me happier than to become your husband. Will you marry me?”
My heart leaps, twists, and does a little happy dance all at once. “I love you too, Caleb. Of course I’ll marry you.”
Standing up, he takes me into his arms and spins with me. Then, he drops me back on my feet and kisses me tenderly, caressing my cheek with hi s hand. Every time I think I could never be happier, Caleb proves me wrong.
The No Shelf Control bookstore is packed, and I was definitely not expecting a crowd of this size. Sure, a good number of people here are my friends, but there are even more attendees I don’t know. Real readers who are interested in checking out my book because they heard the girls talk about it.
“Quite a turnout, huh?” Hayley says, a hand on my shoulder. We’re now huddled in the backroom with Emma, and my anxiety is mounting. I’m supposed to sign books for these people. This is all just so new to me.
“Yeah. It’s crazy.” I take a peek again, but glimpsing the throngs of guests doesn’t help with my nerves. “Thank you for promoting my book and organizing this. You’re the reason why so many people are here today.”
“Happy to help,” Hayley says.
Emma nods. “Yeah. It’s great to finally have an author in our ranks. Just what we were missing.”
“Are you guys ready?” Alice steps in from the bookstore, her cheeks flushed. “They’re getting a little impatient out there.”
“Let’s do this.” Emma claps her hands. “You’re going to rock this, Aria. And don’t worry—we got you every pen you can possibly dream of.”
I laugh, shaking my head. “Thank you, guys. You really are the best.”
After signing dozens of books and chatting with readers, I’m feeling both drained and refueled. Weird, I know.
“You did it!” Marissa says, giving me a hug. “We’re so proud of you. I’m sure it’s going to be a huge success.”
“Yep.” Alice nods. “It won’t be the last time we hear the name Aria Luck. At least, she’ll always have a top spot on our shelves.”
“Are you going to change your name to Hawthorne now?” Alice asks, her eyes sparkling.
“Legally, yes. But I think I’ll keep my lucky pen name as it is.”
Yes. Aria is my real name now. I made the changes back in January, though I did keep my last name Russell because it was my mom’s, and I wanted to maintain that connection to her. But I can’t wait to take on Caleb’s name.
The guys join us, and Caleb laces his arms around me. I lean into his embrace, enjoying this sweet moment.
“You were amazing today,” he says into my ear. “I’m so proud of you, Aria. I hope you know you can be anything you want in this world.”
I turn around, and snake my arms around his neck. “You know, it’s weird, but I do know that.”
I close the distance between us, getting lost in the tenderness of his lips and the sense of safety that always comes with his kiss.
It’s funny. I used to think some things were reserved for a certain elite subset of people who deserved them. But we’re all worthy of happiness. Sometimes, we just need someone to believe in us first before we can turn our luck around.