Epilogue
Six Months Later
Snow crunched under her boots as Piper wound through the trees along the path leading to the clubhouse. Fluffy white flakes
danced like a shaken snow globe, kissing her nose and settling on her coat. There was nothing like the magic of the first
snow in the South, especially when it coincided with the holidays.
The clubhouse was easy to spot among the bare trees, lit up within an inch of its life in soft white icicle lights. A green
fir wreath adorned the door, and jolly red bows hung from the windows. Inside the clubhouse, Christmas décor made it look
like the home of one of Santa’s elves.
It was the day before Christmas Eve, and Ethan had called an emergency meeting of the Lonely Onlys for 6:00 p.m. sharp. At 5:50, Piper arrived first. Being back in the clubhouse was like pulling on her favorite worn sweatshirt—cozy, comfortable,
and nostalgic.
Wyatt walked in a few minutes later, stomping his feet and shaking snow out of his springy dark hair. He spotted Piper and
broke into a dimpled smile that made her glow as warm as a southern summer day despite the mini snowstorm raging outside.
Badger trotted in behind him and ran up to Piper, who leaned down to ruffle his fur and let him lick her face.
Wyatt shrugged his jacket off, revealing a gray Henley that matched his eyes. “I guess I should get used to Badger getting the first kiss these days,” he grumbled, hanging his jacket on the back of a chair and moving toward her. “Hey, stranger.”
“Hey, yourself.” Being in the clubhouse with Wyatt always had a dizzying effect on her. “It’s been too long.”
“I know. I’ve missed you.” He brushed a melted snowflake off Piper’s cheek.
She grinned up at him and pulled his face down to meet her lips, their cold noses warming from the scorching kiss. “I missed
you more.”
“Barf. Get a room!” Allie walked into the clubhouse with Oliver.
Wyatt gave Allie a playful middle finger and continued kissing Piper.
“Didn’t you guys just see each other?” Allie complained. “I used to think you two getting back together would be amazing,
but I’m changing my mind.”
Since road-tripping to Colorado, Piper had never left. After taking one MLIS class this fall and loving it, she would start
a full load in the spring. She and Wyatt took Badger hiking every warm weekend and read by the fire when the nights grew cold.
Piper playfully nudged Wyatt away and hugged her friend. “In our defense, we slept in separate rooms while visiting Wyatt’s
relatives in Tennessee.”
Since reaching out to his relatives, Wyatt had steadily built a relationship with his newfound family through regular video
calls with his uncle Andrew and cousins Darren and Rory, who were only a few years younger than Wyatt. The initial in-person
meeting had been awkward for less than thirty seconds before everyone embraced and cried and welcomed Wyatt back into the
family, thrilled to be reconnected to the nephew and cousin they thought they’d lost forever. They’d welcomed Piper, too,
and the time they’d spent making holiday memories this week would not be their last.
Sandra, his paternal grandmother, still had the Christmas stocking she’d knitted for Wyatt when he was a baby and hung it proudly on the mantel. Piper thought her heart would overflow with gratitude that Wyatt had found another piece of himself in the world to call his own.
“Plus, we stayed separately at our respective houses last night, too.” Wyatt embraced Allie and Oliver.
Allie unwound her scarf from her neck. “Speaking of, how is it with your mom since being back, Piper?”
Piper shrugged. “We’re still adjusting to all the changes, but I think the distance and space apart have been good for us.
Time will tell.”
Her parents had flown out to Denver for a visit a few months ago, and Piper had been incredibly nervous initially, but her
mom had been on her best behavior. It turned out Wyatt was a skilled cook, having learned a few things in the army, and they’d
found common ground in the kitchen. They wouldn’t all send out a family Christmas card together anytime soon, but it was a
start.
“If the clubhouse had heat, I’d insist Piper stay out here with me. I’m not sure how many more nights I can go apart.” Wyatt
bent his head to kiss Piper again.
“Maybe I’ll have to sneak in through your window tonight.” She kissed him back.
“Wait until he knocks you up, and nothing fits, and you have morning sickness all day long.” Allie rubbed her small baby bump
while glaring at Oliver, who raised his hands in mock surrender. “Then see how much you miss him.”
“For the record, I still miss you anytime you’re gone,” Oliver said sweetly.
Allie rolled her eyes but kissed his cheek. “And that’s how this baby happened in the first place.”
As hard as she pretended to be upset, Allie glowed with pride. Her steadfast adoration of Oliver was obvious, and the two would be awesome parents.
“I still can’t believe you’re having a baby!” Piper shook her head in amazement, caressing Allie’s bump. “I’m so excited to
spoil this little one.”
Ethan poked his blond head through the doorway. “Is everyone here?”
“We’re here!” Allie assured him. “What’s all the fuss? Why the emergency meeting?”
Ethan strode in, holding Jack’s hand, beaming like a fool.
“We’re engaged!” He held up his hand, where a simple silver band with a tiny diamond sparkled. Jack showed off a matching
one with an equally sparkling smile.
The room exploded in cheers of congratulations and applause, everyone surrounding them with hugs and pats on the back.
“Welcome to the family, Jack.” Piper wiped a tear from her cheek. Ethan had never looked more relaxed and at peace than beside
Jack.
“Thanks, guys. It didn’t feel official until we all celebrated together.” Ethan produced a bottle of Veuve Clicquot from his
bag, a sparkling seltzer for Allie, and several plastic cups. He filled their cups and passed them out.
“To Jack and Ethan!” Allie declared, and everyone toasted and took a sip.
Jack and Ethan kissed as Wyatt whistled loudly among a chorus of “aaws.”
“Y’all are next,” Allie whispered to Piper, nodding in Wyatt’s direction.
“I know.” Piper smiled. “But we aren’t in a rush.”
They’d had many long talks in front of a crackling fire about the future and what they both wanted out of life. In all versions of their daydreaming, they were together, married, and surrounded by children—the inevitable part, the guarantee, the promise. Everything else was wide open, an adventure to explore together, and they were more than happy to focus on the present moment, living life to the fullest.
Oliver leaned over to share a private joke with Allie. She looked down at her bump, then up to Oliver with a mischievous wink.
By the door, Jack and Ethan compared rings, twisting and turning them to admire how they twinkled in the light. Piper laced
her fingers through Wyatt’s and smiled up at him. He brushed a quick kiss on her lips, tugging her closer.
The tiny room overflowed with love, thick as honey. Surrounded by the Lonely Onlys—her favorite people in the world—each of
whom was standing next to their favorite person—Piper couldn’t imagine a better feeling than the warmth and love coursing
through her body. And best of all, she had her best friend and the love of her life all wrapped up in one.
Piper cleared her throat to get everyone’s attention. “Hey, guys, I think we need a new group name.”
Allie raised a curious eyebrow.
“I mean, look at us.” Piper held up her and Wyatt’s interlocked hands and gestured at the couples standing close to each other.
“We’re not exactly Lonely Onlys anymore.”
Ethan nodded, wrapping his arm around Jack’s shoulders. “Piper’s right. We’re more like the Lucky Ones.”
Piper nodded. “It doesn’t rhyme, and it’s super cheesy, but I like it.”
Allie raised her cup. “To the Lucky Ones.”
“The Lucky Ones,” everyone echoed, clinking glasses.
Ethan poured more champagne as the celebration continued.
Wyatt squeezed Piper’s hand. “The luckiest,” he said so low only she could hear. She lifted onto her tiptoes, wrapping her arms around his neck, and pulled his face close to hers. Wyatt captured her mouth with a searing kiss, locking his arms around her waist.
Ignoring their friends’ “oohs” and “aahs,” Piper kissed him back, thanking the universe for luck, lifelong friends, and love.
And second chances.