Epilogue
HUDSON
A fter talking to Sienna, I found a used drum kit online, set it up at the community center, and secured lessons for Shane through a local music store. The drum kit was loud and took up a lot of space that Sienna didn’t have at the moment. So this was the best solution.
Elena had been fielding messages and comments from news outlets across the country commending her for standing up for journalistic integrity. She’d gotten several offers to work with various magazines and online news sources, but she hadn’t made an official decision yet.
She wanted to do her research before she decided what her life would look like going forward, and I’d support her every step of the way.
The important thing was that we were able to be together most of the time. We were open to the possibility of her needing to travel occasionally, depending on which position she took.
I wanted to wait until the worst of the buzz from the article died down before I took the next step with Elena. Soon everyone would know she was mine. I’d be off the market for good.
Shep was reveling in the attention he’d received. The buzz about whether he was a bad boy or not had spurred a lot of speculation online. He enjoyed it, but I was ready to move on.
Thankfully, there didn’t seem to be much of an issue for the business's reputation. Every once in a while, a client would mention it, but it was more of a joke.
I was grateful the situation was behind us, and we could move on from it.
Tonight was bingo night at the senior center, and one of the prizes was a free interior design plan from Luna and a discount on renovation services from Kingston Construction.
Dad wanted all of us to be present at the event. He was still worried about our reputation after the article.
I didn’t mind because it meant a night with Elena and Grams. I helped Grams and her friends secure a table.
They set up their markers and good luck charms in the middle of the table as the room quickly filled to capacity.
“I can’t believe the turnout tonight,” Grams grumbled.
“I don’t know if I like everyone showing up to our bingo night,” Mabel added.
“I’m sure the excitement will die down after the prizes are announced and everything will go back to normal, Grandma,” Hazel said.
Brady hovered nearby, seemingly unsure what to do with himself, while Shepard and Cooper made their rounds in the room, laughing and joking with everyone.
As irritated as I got with Shep, he knew how to charm people. He might be just the person to improve our company’s reputation.
Right before the event was about to start, Hazel said, “Oh,” and ducked under the table. When she stood, she held up her hand with a sparkling diamond ring on her finger, and everyone gasped.
“Are you engaged?” Mabel asked. Then before Hazel could answer, she continued, “It was my dying wish that you get engaged and married before I go.”
“Since when are you dying?” Grams asked her.
Mabel waved a dismissive hand in her direction. “I knew you and Brady would get together one day. I just didn’t think it would be this soon. You’ve made me so happy.”
Hazel’s eyes were wide, her hand still suspended in midair as Mabel stood and hugged her and Brady. “I can’t wait to plan a wedding. This is going to be amazing.”
Brady appeared to be just as stunned as Hazel. They exchanged a look, then Brady shrugged, putting his arm around Hazel. “We couldn’t deny the attraction anymore.”
If they were dating, no one else knew about it. Had they kept their relationship a secret until they knew for sure it was the real deal?
“And you thought you’d ruin your friendship,” Mabel chortled.
“I mean it’s a valid concern—” Hazel began, and Brady squeezed her shoulder, and said, “But we should have known that we were headed for this.”
Now that the shock had passed, everyone took turns congratulating them, and they sat next to us.
“You have some explaining to do,” Elena said to her.
Hazel’s mouth opened, then closed.
Mabel leaned forward and said, “We’ll have to plan an engagement party to celebrate. I don’t have much to look forward to anymore, but this will keep me entertained.
Brady leaned over and whispered something in Hazel’s ear.
“I had no idea anything was going on. It seems quick,” Elena said to me so no one could overhear.
“When you know, you know,” I whispered in her ear.
Elena smiled at me, evidently unable to argue against my point. I couldn’t wait for the evening to be over so we could be alone together. Each day was better than the last.
I got up to talk about Kingston Construction’s offering for the night, and Luna spoke about her interior design package. Then the MC started yelling out numbers. Everyone focused on the cards in front of them, talking occasionally about who won which prize and what they were hoping to snag for themselves.
Afterward, my family hung around to help clean up the hall. Grams took the shuttle home. Then finally, we were in my truck and headed home.
We spent more time at my house. But we ate dinner at Grams several times a week, and I was building shelves in a few rooms of Grams’s house.
Elena wanted to give Grams space but be nearby if she needed her. Grams had an active social life, and we didn’t want to cramp her style.
“What do you think about Hazel and Brady getting engaged? Did you have any idea it was coming?” Elena asked me.
I glanced over at her before refocusing my attention on the road. “I had no idea they were dating, much less close to getting engaged.”
“You think they wanted to make sure it was the real deal until they announced it?”
“I have no idea what’s going on, but I want to talk to him about it. He’s been giving me a lot of relationship advice lately, and I feel bad that I missed what was going on in his life.”
“I wouldn’t feel bad. I think they wanted to keep it a secret until they were sure about each other. I know both of them value their friendship.”
I reached over and interlaced my fingers with hers. “I want Brady to be happy. To have what we do.”
“Moving home was the best decision I ever made. I’m happier here than I ever was in Boston.”
When we pulled up to the house, I asked, “Do you want to go for a walk?”
Elena smiled. “You know I love walks on the beach at night.”
I grabbed the flashlight from my glove compartment, and then we wandered around the house to the narrow path to the beach.
On the beach, there was a distant rumble of thunder, and the air was heavy with humidity. “Are we going to get caught in the rain again?”
I grinned. “I hope so. It’s kind of our thing at this point.”
I guided her to the spot where we’d made love. There was a blanket, a bucket filled with ice and a bottle of wine, and red rose petals scattered over the sand.
Nerves fluttered in my gut.
“What’s all this?” Elena asked.
“I asked Kinsley to help me set this up earlier. I wanted to surprise you.” I sat on the blanket, pulling Elena down to sit between my legs.
“This is perfect. Thank you,” Elena settled against my body.
I was content to hold her in my arms, watching the clouds roll past the moon. But I had a plan for the evening. “You’ve made me so happy.”
Elena shifted slightly so she could see my face. “You’ve done the same for me.”
“I can’t comprehend how I didn’t see you when we were younger, but I have to believe there was some divine timing involved. Because this feels right.” I shook my head, chuckling. “I should tell you that I’d already planned this before Brady and Hazel announced their engagement. I can’t wait any longer to make you mine.”
"What are you talking about?” Elena fully turned so that she was sitting on her knees in front of me.
I took a deep breath and recited the speech I’d practiced. “Elena Perkins, will you go on a walk with me every night on the beach? Will you get caught in the rain with me? Will you do me the honor of being my wife?”
Her eyes filled with tears. “Yes.”
I cupped her cheek, kissing her. I pulled back to slide the ring on her finger.
It was a round princess cut solitaire surrounded by a circle of smaller diamonds.
Elena admired the ring. “It’s gorgeous.”
“I want you to know that I’ll follow you wherever you go. I just want to be with you.” It was important that she knew that.
“I wouldn’t want you to leave your family’s business. I know how important it is to you, and I want to be with you.” Elena sighed. “What started out as a fling, turned into so much more. I took a chance on moving here, on love, and it worked out better than I ever could have imagined.”
My heart filled with love for her as she spoke, because it was everything I ever wanted to hear.
I couldn’t wait to tell our children the story of how we met. How the timing was just right. And even though I resisted her for as long as I could, it was a battle I was destined to lose, and I was happier for it.
I hope you loved Elena and Hudson’s story! To read more about their happily ever after read their bonus epilogue .
Brady and Hazel’s romance is next in Summer Kisses .
When I placed the engagement ring on my finger, my grandmother assumed it's real, and that my new fiancé is my best friend, Brady. We've been friends since we were kids, but I've refused to entertain the possibility of anything else happening between us. Now things are quickly spiraling out of control.
My grandmother is moving forward with plans for an engagement party, a bridal shower, and a wedding. But there's a bigger problem—I'm falling in love with my fake fiancé.