Epilogue
A Serial Killer
September 2025
“Can you believe you’re getting married this week, Paige?” I ask as I plop down on her bed, the four of us girls gathered on her king-sized bed together.
Her face lights up, the happiness radiating off her body in waves at the thought of marrying Oliver. I couldn't be happier for one of my best friends, and it’s insane to think she’s the first one of us to get married.
Hads and Grant would have been, but they’ve taken the long engagement route. I’m sure they’ll set a date at some point, but for now, they’re enjoying the new nicknames they call one another.
Even Ames is here. She finally showed up and managed to get her shit together. I told her when we started all this bachelorette stuff that if she ruined this week for Paige, I’d kill her. To my surprise, she’s on her way to mending the trust she broke, apologizing and proving to the three of us she can show up for us.
Let’s hope she doesn't ghost us like she did last time.
I’d like to believe she won’t, since she’s actually trying, but she still has a long way to go before she gains my trust back. But for Paige’s sake, I’m being as nice as I can.
“It almost feels like a dream,” Paige tells us. “I don’t think I ever want to wake up if it is.”
Hads grabs her hand. “It’s not a dream, babe. I still can’t believe you’re marrying my brother.”
“You guys will be actual sisters now.” Ames smiles. “Poor Grant has to deal with Oliver being his brother, though.”
Hads only rolls her eyes as she throws her arms around P. “Nobody is more excited than me that Paigey is joining my family.”
I get off the bed and grab a few snacks, throwing them in the middle of the small circle we’ve made on Paige’s bed. It reminds me of all the times back in college when we used to sit on the floor of someone’s apartment or dorm in this same way.
God, that feels like forever ago, and I have half a mind to curse out whoever is making time go so fucking fast.
Paige is getting married. Married .
And Leo and I haven't killed one another yet—in fact, we’re still as strong as ever. We still argue and bicker how we used to, but at the end of each night, we end up in bed together. That’s the only difference. Now, we fight with one another, not against each other.
I couldn't be happier.
Ever since I made the jump into my new career, life has been booming for me. I never thought what I do now—work with authors and shout about their books—would be something I could make work.
I never should have doubted myself—because I can do anything I set my mind to—but the fact that I’m actually happy working every single day is the best feeling ever. Leo is still at my old job, in Brody’s position, since he got caught stealing money under the table from clients. Brody was fired, and Leo took over his role and had to clean up the mess he left behind.
And he did it wonderfully. Business is booming again, and the two of us are happy with what we’ve chosen to do with our lives. Leo even has a pansexual pride flag on his desk at work. He bought one because, apparently, he still wants a piece of me in the office.
It’s the cutest thing someone has ever done for me.
Speaking of Leo, he’s currently with the boys celebrating Oliver in…some way. I have no idea what Grant has planned, but I can almost guarantee Oliver is going to hate most of it. The dude just wants to make Paige his wife, and I know he’s suffering through all these activities for her.
He’d do anything for the girl, and that’s how I know the two of them will live a long and beautiful life together.
“So, I know this trip is supposed to be about me, but I think we should make a toast to the book club,” Paige says. “We should have a little drink before dinner.”
“Yeah, that’s a good idea,” I say, walking to the main area of the hotel room, only to find the champagne not on ice. I poke my head back into the room. “How about we drink while we get ready? That should give it time to get cold.”
“Shit, did I forget to grab ice?” Hads asks me.
“It’s fine, babe,” I tell her. “I’ll run and grab some. You three stay put and throw some music on or something. I’ll be right back, and then we’re all getting dressed and looking hot to meet the boys at dinner, okay?”
“It feels like college all over again,” Ames says, her voice low. “Except now, you’re getting married.”
Paige grabs her hand, squeezing it. “It’ll be okay, Ames. We have plenty of time to catch up.”
“We have our entire lives together, you psychos. Stop making me want to cry,” Hads jokes, and I laugh.
“I’ll be two seconds,” I say as I grab the ice bucket from the counter and grab my key to leave.
“Ella!” someone shouts, and I run back to the bedroom.
“What? Are you guys okay?”
Paige eyes me curiously. “Room key?” she questions, and I can’t believe I almost forgot to show it to her before I left. It’s something we always do when we stay places so we don’t get locked out of our room. You can never be too careful.
I lift it up, showing all three of them before she nods at me. “Good.”
“You know we can just open the door for her,” Ames says.
“I know, but it’s better to be safe than sorry. What if there was a serial killer staying on this floor?” Paige asks, entirely serious.
Hads only sighs as she runs a hand down her face. “That would only happen to you of all people, Paige.”
“I’m not an idiot. I would obviously throw a bunch of ice at this person and book it the fuck out of there,” I say as I leave the room and head to the ice machine near the lobby.
I could have gone to the one on our floor, but I want to grab something sweet for all the girls. There’s truly nothing better in life than eating a sweet treat, drinking, and listening to music while you get ready with all your friends.
The elevator dings, and I grab the things I need before I fill the ice bucket for our champagne. Then, I head back to the elevator, finding some guy standing in front of it, though he hasn't pressed the button.
I sigh heavily before I press it, holding all my shit in my hands as I do, and when the candy I bought falls from my arms, the robot next to me finally moves to help.
“Shit, I’m so sorry. I’m kind of in a weird fog—”
A familiar face meets mine, and he has to recognize me, because his entire face drops in surprise.
“Henry?”
He looks exactly the same as he did back in college, just older. He has the same wire-framed glasses and build. His face looks exactly like it did when Amelia left him standing in the airport after breaking his heart.
“Hey, Ella.” He rubs his hands on his shorts, clearly nervous. “I’m sorry I didn't press the button. I feel…weird.”
“What are you doing here?” I ask, curious as to how he ended up where Paige and Oliver’s wedding is taking place.
“Oliver invited me,” he says, the elevator opening, his arm in front of him, as if he’s telling me to go ahead. “Ladies first.”
“Thanks,” I say, confused as to what the fuck he’s doing here. I might have to have a chat with Oliver, because what the fuck was he thinking? He knew Amelia was going to be here, didn't he?
What the actual fuck is going on?
“What floor?” he asks me, the button for ten already pushed.
“Ten.”
He only nods at me. “Oh.”
The ride to our floor is quiet, neither of us wanting to ask the questions on our minds. I’m sure he wants to ask me about Amelia, and I desperately want to ask him what the hell he’s doing here, but neither of us says a word.
If anything, I need to talk to Oliver and Paige first. It’s their wedding, and I would never tell them who to invite, but something else is going on here. This can’t be a coincidence.
When we get off, Henry turns the opposite direction, and I practically book it back to the room, swinging the door open before I shove the champagne in the ice and burst into the bedroom.
They must notice something off on my face, because Hads comes over to me, but the only person I can look at is Amelia.
“Did something happen?” Hads asks me.
“Please tell me someone isn't dead again,” Paige says. “I’d hate for this to be a theme.”
My eyes are still on Ames. “Ella, what’s wrong?” she asks me, and in a minute, I might be asking her the same thing.
“I-I just ran into someone in the lobby.”
“Did the boys finally get here?” Hads asks me.
I nod. “Yes, but that’s not who I’m talking about.”
“Did you see an author or something? Oh my gosh, is Olivia Hart here? Or maybe it’s that one hockey author we love?” Paige squeals as she continues to name our favorite authors.
“Why would any of them be in Virginia Beach, P?” Hads questions.
“I don't know! A girl can dream.” She smiles.
“It was Henry.”
All voices mute as soon as I say that, and I swear, I see Amelia’s face go through eight different emotions before landing on one we’ve all seen before—fear.
“What?” she whispers. “H-Henry is here? Like, h-here, in this hotel?”
“Yes,” I tell her, and before anyone can say anything else, she gets up. Just when I think she’s going to throw up or something, she locks herself in the bathroom.
The three of us stay where we are, frozen in the memory of what happened when they fell apart that day at the airport, the day she ran away and we had no idea what was to come.
But then, we go over to the door. Paige leans against it while Hads and I stand next to her on either side.
“Ames? Are you okay?” Paige asks her.
“Did you know he was going to be here?” I ask her.
Her face turns red before she shakes her head. “No, I didn't.”
“This has Oliver written all over it,” Hads says. “He’s always been a sneaky motherfucker, even as a kid.”
“Amelia, you never did tell us what actually happened with you two,” Paige says through the door.
“Now is as good of a time as any if you have to see him all week,” I coax, trying to get her to talk to us instead of running away. “We’re here for you.”
We can all hear her pacing around the bathroom, but I don’t think she’s crying. This feels more like a freak out than anything else.
“Do you want me to get the prosecco?” Paige asks, and a few seconds later, the door swings back open.
Her face is red, her hair a mess, as if her hands were running through it. She’s not breathing normally either.
“We’re all going to need a drink.”
“Why?” Hads asks.
“Because I’m going to tell you what happened.”
And then she walks by all of us before jumping onto the bed face first and covering herself in a blanket.
This week is only getting started, and we’ve already been thrown for a loop.
Please let this wedding go smoothly, I say to whoever is listening, knowing they probably won’t answer.
Because with Amelia and Henry facing one another again, who knows what could happen? All I know is, I’m going to try my hardest to make this week before Paige’s wedding the best week of her life.
Fingers crossed I can actually make it fucking happen .