Epilogue
AVA HENDRIX
“It’s a good thing we’re not doing this in public,” Harper says as she puts the finishing touches on my clay mask. “We’d scare the shit out of everyone.”
“A bachelorette party in is so much better,” Darby says, watching over Harper’s shoulder. “That green mask makes your eyes pop, girl.”
I snort. Leave it to Darby to find a way to compliment my mud mask.
“Okay, you let that sit until it’s dry,” Harper says.
We’re all over at Xander and Ivy’s place, and it’s the night before my wedding.
Finally.
It felt like this day would never get here, and I had to fight tooth and nail for it, but it’s happening. And instead of going out to get drunk in Bitterroot Valley, I really just wanted my closest friends and sisters here with me. And Xander’s house is always fun because we can spread out.
“Did you and Chad exchange wedding gifts?” Jules asks me.
“I got him a nice watch,” I reply. “I have no idea if he got me something. I mentioned it at one point, but we haven’t discussed it since.”
I know that my family doesn’t love my fiancé. They’ve not kept their feelings hidden at all, and the fact is, Chad doesn’t care.
He always says that the most important thing is that we care about each other, and no one else’s opinions matter.
And he’s right. I know he is.
But I’m so close to my family, and I wish they liked him too.
Are Chad and I a love match made in heaven?
Fuck no. He’s never given me an orgasm. He only likes to fuck in the dark, missionary position, at bedtime.
Never anywhere else. I once tried to give him a blow job in the car, and you would have thought I’d just told him I wanted to tie him up, make him suck on a ball gag, and peg the man all night.
Needless to say, it didn’t go well.
But there’s more to life than sex.
That’s going to be my mantra for the rest of my damn life.
Or, maybe once he’s elected to office, he’ll chill out a bit and will be open to trying different things.
Yes, I hear myself. I’d also be screaming at my friend to stop thinking she can change a man and get the fuck out now.
But there are good things about Chad, too, and damn it, I want to marry him.
I do.
And I’m nervous.
What if everyone’s right and I’m doing the wrong thing?
“You’re quiet,” Ivy says as she passes me a plate of cheese and crackers. “Talk to us. Are you scared? Nervous? So excited that you might pee your pants?”
“Maybe all of those,” I say and take a bite of cheese.
Cheese makes everything better, even when I shouldn’t be eating it.
“That’s normal,” Darby says. “Of course you’re nervous. Marrying someone is a big deal. It’s a huge decision.”
“You’re not helping.” I reach for more cheese. “I don’t like that you all hate him.”
“I mean, ‘hate’ is a strong word,” Harper says and presses her fingers to my face, checking my mask. “Like, I hate hair in the drain of the shower and when Belle has a diaper explosion.”
“Are you comparing Chad to actual shit?” I ask her, and if my face could move right now, I’d lift an eyebrow.
“No, I’m saying I hate those things. I don’t feel quite that way about Chad.”
“That’s not terribly comforting,” I reply and turn to Indie. “Help me out. He’s nice, right?”
Indie’s my new baby sister. She has to take my side.
But she wrinkles her nose, and I don’t have a good feeling about this.
“I mean, he’s fine.” Indie cringes and then sighs.
“He’s handsome, I’ll give you that. And every Christmas, he comes into the shop and buys gift cards for his staff.
I hope he doesn’t only give them a scoop of ice cream for their gift, but if it’s an add-on to a basket or something, I think that’s nice. And he’s always polite.”
I stare at her and then at everyone else.
“That’s it? That’s all you can say about the man I’m going to marry?”
“Hey, I like him a lot,” Jules reminds me. “He’s a hell of an attorney and helped me out a ton. He’s professional, and he was protective of me and proactive in getting it all figured out.”
“At least someone likes him,” I mutter and then stand to go wash my face off.
“Hey, that needs a few more minutes.”
“I don’t care, I’m done with it. I can’t move my cheeks.”
But when I get back to the bathroom, I pull my phone out of my pocket and dial Chad’s number, video calling him.
I just need to hear his voice, and since we’re not spending tonight together—it’s bad luck—this will have to tide me over.
He answers on the second ring, and I can see that he’s in his office.
As usual.
“Ava? What the hell is on your face?”
“Oh, I forgot.” I pat my muddy cheek. “It’s a face mask.”
“I hope it doesn’t break you out and make you look horrible for tomorrow.” His brows are low over his eyes. He clearly disapproves. “I’m trying to get through some work so I can take tomorrow off.”
Just tomorrow. We’re not going on a honeymoon.
“I know, I just wanted a minute. Chad, why do you love me?”
He sighs and drags his hand down his face. “Are you seriously calling me and asking me this now?”
“Yeah. I am. Because we’re getting married in roughly sixteen hours, and—”
“And you’ve been hanging out with your family today, and they’re filling your head full of nonsense again. It’s ridiculous, Ava. When are you going to cut those people out of your life?”
“Never.” I try to scowl, but the mud’s still there. “They’re my family. Besides, you’re the one who always says that the opinion of others doesn’t matter, as long as we’re happy together, remember?”
“You’re right. So if you’re happy, and I’m happy, why are we having this ludicrous conversation?”
“It’s not ludicrous to ask you why you love me. It’s a simple question, Chad.”
This is so typical. He’s not romantic at all, so I don’t know what I expected with this call. I just need reassurance from him.
“I don’t have time for this, Ava.”
“I need you to make time. Give me one thing that you love about me.”
His eyes soften, and it makes my chest loosen. “I love how supportive you are of my ambitions. You’re a good woman, sweetheart. Now, I really do have to go. I’ll see you tomorrow.”
He ends the call, and I stare at the black screen for what feels like forever before I set the phone aside with shaky hands, turn on the warm water, and as I wash the mud off my face, I wash the tears away too.