Epilogue
EPILOGUE
Los Angeles
Sunday, May 20
It was an amazing week in paradise. So much has happened, I can barely believe it.
After Hayes so sweetly plucked my V-card on Tuesday, we barely made it out of bed for days. We managed to tear ourselves away from each other long enough to have dinner with Xavian and his newfound family on Thursday evening. He seemed so happy, and he fits in with the Reed clan as if he was born there. I’m thrilled for him. His decision to stay seemed sudden at first, but I think it was the right one.
On Friday night, Hayes and I spent ten whole minutes at the company’s final mixer, just long enough for him to make contact with some of the peers he met last weekend, shake Mr. Helm’s hand, and admit wryly that we never quite made it to the beach for surfing. Then we dashed back to our room, peeled off our clothes hurriedly, and loved each other through most of our last night in Maui.
The following afternoon, we boarded the plane home. Exhaustion caught up with me, and I slept most of the flight to LAX. Hayes, too. I felt refreshed by the time we picked up our luggage. So I lean in to kiss him, sure he’ll come spend the night at my place. But Hayes simply carries my luggage up the stairs and to my door, then drops me off with a kiss.
“Hey, don’t forget that Sunday movies and munchies is at my place at noon tomorrow. You’ll be there, right?”
“Of course. Hayes?—”
“Great. I’ll see you then. Sleep good, shortcake.”
He kisses my forehead and lopes down the stairs before I can call him back. Then he’s gone.
I lock the door, frowning. There’s no way our relationship was only a vacation fling. Right?
I’m still wondering the same thing when I wake Sunday morning, stretching after a fitful night of sleep. Why didn’t Hayes stay with me? Sure, he hinted that he had some things to take care of after being gone.
Any chance he meant Jayci?
No, Hayes wouldn’t intentionally hurt me like that.
Still, it’s hard not to be insecure, especially when I glance at my phone. He hasn’t left a single text or message since walking away.
Pensively, I shower and pick at some breakfast. My phone dings, and I jump for it. But it’s just Maryam asking for a ride. There goes my idea of heading over to Hayes’s place early to talk.
Sure. Pick you up at quarter to noon , I reply.
I should call Ella and Eryn. It’s been over a week since I’ve talked to either of my sisters, which is totally unusual. But they’re busy, and they knew I was in Hawaii. I have a couple of hours to kill. And maybe they’ll have some advice on how to handle things when I see Hayes.
Ella’s phone goes straight to voicemail. Maybe they’re in church? It is Sunday morning, after all. But Eryn doesn’t answer, either. Damn it. So much for the comfort of my sisters’ sage advice.
I’ll have to figure this out on my own.
I kill some time watching reruns of a favorite TV show, then head to my closet with a sigh. Decisions, decisions. The comfort of long skirts, oversized shirts, and Birkenstocks? Or the sex appeal of short skirts, high heels, and cleavage? Actually, the choice is easy. If Hayes thinks he can just come and go from my bed or that we’re in any way done, I’m going to remind him of what he’s not getting until he gets his shit together and talks to me.
Brimming with attitude, I pluck a daring orange dress off the hanger. The day Xavian talked me into it, I couldn’t picture myself wearing anything that hugged me so tightly everyone can see the indentation of my belly button. The lycra dress barely covers the tops of my thighs. But the most daring part? Spaghetti straps cling to my shoulders while the buttons that hold the front of the dress together across my breasts strain, almost gaping to reveal the contents of my strapless bra. Hayes will take one look at this dress and flip.
How about that, pal?
After arranging my hair in a soft half up-half down ’do, I hop in my car and try my best to ignore the fact I’m shaking. And hopefully overreacting. Maybe Hayes just needed a night alone at his place to get it in order before everyone showed up today. Maybe I’m just being insecure after years of feeling invisible to him.
Either way, as I pull away from my apartment, Maryam texts to say that she doesn’t need a ride after all because Graham unexpectedly picked her up on his way. But could I stop at the store for some champagne?
On it , I text back.
Weirdly, I bump into Kella at the store. “What are you doing here? I thought you’d already be at Hayes’s place.”
“Picking up some OJ for Graham.” She scans me from head to toe, rearing back. “Wow, you look stunning.”
Kella is no slouch herself, but she’s complimenting me, so I smile. But I’m so confused. Why would the gang ask her to stop for OJ when I’m already here picking up champagne?
Whatever. I just want to get out of here and over to Hayes.
Kella stops me in the shampoo aisle. “Hang on. I’m looking for something new to try. Got recommendations? Your hair always looks amazing.”
I give her some of my thoughts, but she seems to be half listening. And she’s acting nervous.
“You okay?” I ask.
“Great.” Her smile seems forced. “You?”
Confused as hell. “Fine.”
And worried.
Does she know something I don’t?
Suddenly, her phone dings. Her smile turns real, and she shrugs off her great shampoo dilemma. “I’ll figure this out later. Let’s go.”
Kella all but drags me to the checkout counter and hustles through our purchases.
“What’s going on?” I ask as we head to the lot, bombarded by a dry, relentlessly sunny day.
“Nothing.” She shoots me another forced smile. “See you there!”
Before I can reply, she hops into her compact and peels away like she’s on fire.
What the hell?
With a sigh and a niggle of worry that something weird is up, I settle into the driver’s seat and drive the two miles to his place.
When I arrive at Hayes’s bungalow, Kella has already parked and seemingly gone inside without me. In fact, no one is waiting outside for me, least of all the man I love.
Did I somehow misunderstand what our week in Hawaii meant to him?
Willing myself not to cry, I climb out of the car and take a deep breath. If Hayes acts like he’s the same best buddy I had before we went to Maui, I’ll smile my way through the movie, then stay after and ask him what the hell is going on. I don’t want to lose him…but I don’t know what I’ll do if he breaks my heart.
Still, I can’t fathom that. This must be some misunderstanding. Hayes has always been there for me.
As a friend. He’s been a serial boyfriend to every other woman he’s dated. Maybe you’re just the latest ?
Maybe, but I don’t want to believe it. I have faith in him, in us. I have to…or what do we really have?
With a fortifying breath, I grab the champagne from the passenger’s seat, along with my purse, then head to the front door, giving myself a pep talk. I love Hayes. He loves me. Whatever’s going on, we’ll talk it out. I’m not giving up.
Decision made, I ring the bell.
Hayes answers with a nervous smile, then he pulls me into the foyer, tugs me into his arms, and cups my face. “Damn, last night lasted forever. You look beautiful, and I’m doing everything out of order, but fuck it. I don’t care.”
Then he seizes my lips with his, plunging deep into my mouth and reminding me of the sugary, summery kisses he plied me with in Maui and lighting up my body like a firework.
When he finally comes up for air, I pull free and look around, surprised that we’re alone. Where did everyone go? I don’t understand, but that’s not my most pressing question now. “Has something changed between us, Hayes?”
“Shortcake…” He turns solemn. “Everything has changed. Come inside. We should talk.”
My stomach drops to my knees. Nerves rattle around the empty chasm as he leads me into the kitchen. There’s food and drink everywhere, but it’s strangely devoid of people. “What’s going on? Where is everyone? Maryam and Kella are both acting weird, and you?—”
“I’m nervous.”
Because he needs reassurance about my feelings? Or because he’s trying to find the right words to let me go? “Why?”
He takes my hands in his, takes my mouth with his. As he does, he clutches my heart even tighter in his grip. “I love you. I can’t believe I overlooked you for so long. I feel like the stupidest ass on the planet. But you opened my eyes, and I see you so clearly. I want to spend my life with you. Please tell me you want to spend yours with me.”
Then he kneels.
My heart jumps up to my throat. I gape and slap a hand over my mouth to cover my gasp. He’s down on one knee? Surely I’m misunderstanding. Or hallucinating. Maybe the hours of positive projection have me seeing things I’ve only dreamed of.
“Hayes?” My voice shakes.
“Echo Annalise Hope, I fell in mad, passionate love with you last week, but it feels as if I’ve loved you forever. I don’t want to go another day into my future without knowing you’re mine. Would you make me beyond happy and marry me?”
Oh, my god, he’s serious.
Hayes reaches into his pocket and pulls out a ring. He’s totally serious. And the diamond he holds in his hand leaves me stunned. Set in rose gold, it looks vintage. The band is a collection of swirls and filigrees held together by tiny glimmering gems. The center stones have been arranged in the shape of a flower.
It looks like something he would have had made just for me because I can’t imagine anything more perfect.
I don’t have to think twice.
“Yes. Oh, my… Yes!” I start to cry.
Hayes leaps to his feet, hauls me in his arms, and crushes my lips under his in celebration. He’s already stolen my heart, but when I’m in his arms, he steals my breath and my mind, too.
“Did she say yes?” Kella demands from the back bedroom.
My fiancé—it seems crazy to think that—reluctantly ends our kiss and lifts his head. “Yes. You can all come out now.”
What is going on?
I turn to see our friends file into the kitchen wearing huge smiles, then I whirl back on Hayes. “They were in on this?”
“Everyone was. From the minute I dropped you off at your apartment last night, looking so confused and forlorn until now, yes. I wanted today to be perfect for you. For us.”
“I never expected anything like this.” And the fact that he not only proposed, but put so much thought into making this moment one we’ll both remember has me tearing up with joy. “Thank you.”
“You never have to thank me, shortcake. Just love me.”
“Always.” I cup his face, amazed and thrilled that I’ll be spending my life with my very best friend.
“There’s more,” he whispers, pointing to something behind me.
I turn again to see Ella and Eryn bustle into the living room beside their husbands with huge grins on their faces.
With a shriek, I jump up and down, then turn to Hayes again. “You did this?”
“I called them on Wednesday to tell them I intended to propose. They wanted to be here, and I wanted them here for you.”
Hayes could have proposed in Maui, and some people might have thought that would be far more romantic, but he understands how much my sisters mean to me, and his thoughtfulness fills my heart.
I rush to hug my sisters, who squee and hug me back with equal fervor. “You’re here!”
“We are.” Eryn grips my hands. “I just knew there was more than friendship between you two. Congratulations!”
“Thanks.” I try not to cry fat tears of joy, but it’s hopeless.
Best. Day. Ever.
Especially when Ella grabs me in a hug. “You’re going to be a bride. I’m so thrilled for you.”
She’s right. Yikes! “I have a lot of planning to do.” Not my forte. “Will you help me?”
Ella is so much more organized.
She smiles. “I’ll do my best.”
Of course it won’t be easy. “North Carolina is a long way away, and you’re busy with work?—”
“That’s not all.” She slides a hand over her still-flat stomach. “You’re going to be an aunt before Christmas.”
“Seriously?” I hug her close again. “Oh, my god! I’m so excited for you. Both of you.” I step into her husband Carson’s arms for a brotherly hug. “Congratulations! You’ll be the best parents ever.”
Certainly way better than we had as kids. I don’t even ask if my parents know about this event. It doesn’t matter because they proved long ago that they don’t care about anything except work and each other. I’ve come to peace with that. I have my sisters, Hayes, and soon a niece or nephew. I have everything I need.
Eryn and her husband, West, exchange a glance before he clears his throat and flashes my middle sister a secretive grin. “We’re expecting a baby, too. Around New Year’s. We just found out Friday.”
Screw trying to stop the tears. They flow down my face. My sisters’ faces, too, as we dogpile into a hug full of joy, sniffles, laughs, and well wishes.
Hayes sidles behind me again, cupping my shoulders softly. “Someone else wants to congratulate you.”
I look up to find Gramma Liddy balanced between Graham and Xavian. She looks a little older and a little frailer than the last time I saw her, but having her here to celebrate with us is so unexpected and special.
I sprint to hug the tiny older woman who’s smiling from ear to ear. “You came, too? Thank you so much!”
“Hayes insisted. I wouldn’t have missed it for the world since I’ve been telling him for the last half dozen years to marry you. I’m thrilled you said yes.” She studies me with misty blue eyes. “Like you, he didn’t have the best family growing up, but you’ll make a new family together. And I know you’ll make each other so happy.”
“We will,” I promise. Then I turn to Xavian. “I didn’t expect you to fly back from Maui.”
“I had to see two of my favorite people get engaged.” He mock punches Hayes in the chest. “Besides, he wasn’t going to stop threatening to beat the living shit out of me until I promised to stop meddling between him and his woman. And I forgot what you looked like in all the bikinis and lingerie I helped you pick out.”
Collectively, everyone laughs, including Hayes. I’m turning ten shades of red, but I hug Xavian tight. “None of this would have happened without you. Thanks for going out on a limb to help me. I’m forever grateful.”
“It would have happened. Maybe not as fast…” He shrugs like it’s no big deal, but I know better. “Someday you can return the favor.”
“If you ever need advice—or anything—I’m always here for you. I’ll miss having you nearby, but just pick up the phone.”
“Will do. But…I also came because it was my turn to pick today’s movie.” He winks.
Then the festivities start in earnest, kicking off with the strains of Maroon 5’s upbeat romantic ballad “Sugar.” The day is full of fun, food, champagne, good cheer, and utter perfection. Hours later, our friends leave with waves and well wishes. My sisters and their husbands head back to their hotel, promising to have lunch with Hayes and me tomorrow. Liddy disappears to the guest bedroom to nap.
Finally, I’m alone with the man I love. The man who’s been my best friend for most of my life. The man I’m going to marry.
“Happy, shortcake?”
I turn to him with a smile that won’t quit. “Sublimely. Think we have time to sneak into your bedroom so I can show you how much?”
“We’ll always make time for that.” He sets a hand at the small of my back and ushers me into his bedroom, shutting the door behind us. “I knew there was a reason I loved you.”
“You didn’t always.”
“I did. I was just too dumb to see it. Forgive me?”
“I already have.” I press my lips to his. “When should we get married? Ella mentioned planning, and I nearly broke out in hives. It’s so overwhelming…”
“Don’t panic. I thought you might feel that way, so I called Keeley. She’s got an opening to get married on the bed-and-breakfast’s front lawn, facing the ocean, in about three weeks. I know you’ve always wanted to get married barefoot. Being a June bride is pretty traditional for you, but I thought getting married in the place we first fell in love would be great. What do you say?”
The day has already been so full of amazing bliss, it’s hard to believe I can still cry more tears of joy. “It sounds perfect. Just like you, string bean.”
“No one is more perfect than you. I can’t wait to make you Mrs. Echo Elliot. But maybe you want me to nibble on my very favorite shortcake right now?”
“Oh, I do.”
He gives a whoop, then kisses me with his whole heart. We melt together, starting our shimmering, perfect future in each other’s arms.