CHAPTER THIRTY-SEVEN Johanna #2
The table has gone quiet again, the attention drawn from their own gifts to mine. Macy practically snatches it out of my hand, curiosity peaked.
“This is insane,” she says eagerly as she flips through the pages. “I can’t believe I know the two of you.”
Makenna nods, glancing over Macy’s shoulder to see the pictures. She’s more composed, but just as impressed.
“Better get started on your website,” she says. “Like, immediately. The minute this hits the shelf, the orders are going to be rolling in and you’re going to have people looking for you.”
Macy passes the magazine to Rylee. Her expression softens, more than it has all morning.
“It really is a beautiful dress,” she says.
Simple, but coming from her? It means more than anything else she’s said to me today. She hands the magazine back to me, and my gaze drops back to the cover. This is proof—concrete fucking proof—that I’m not the same girl I was six years ago.
“Thank you, Mia,” I say softly.
Mia smiles and leans her head against my shoulder. “Always, sis.”
I clutch the magazine a little tighter in my hands as the girls put their own gifts back in their boxes. For the first time in my life—I have something I built from the ground up. Something that feels like mine.
“Should we get the check?” Mia asks. “I think we’ve had enough emotional conversations to last us at least the rest of the week.”
“Speak for yourself,” Macy says. “I’m already far too invested in at least three storylines that have come up at this table.”
“Exactly the point,” Makenna mutters, summoning our server.
Despite our protests, Mia hands the server her card, claiming she owes us for the weekend and this was always her treat—as if the gifts weren’t more than enough.
Chairs scrape against the floor as we rise from the table.
I tuck the magazine carefully into my purse, clutching it against me as we make our way to the exit.
The sunlight hits differently as we step outside, warming my skin as the noise of the busy restaurant fades behind us.
As I turn to head back to my car, I hear my name.
“Johanna.”
It’s Rebekah’s voice.
She’s stepped away from the rest of the group, too—her gaze soft but steady. She’d been so quiet during the chaos of brunch, I’d almost forgotten she’d been with us.
“Can I walk with you?”
It’s not really a question, more of a quiet invitation. An opening.
“Sure,” I say.
We fall into step together as the others drift ahead of us, their voices blending with the hum of the busy street.
“You’ve grown up,” she says finally. “You’re not the same girl who lived across the street from us anymore.”
I let out a soft laugh. “Some people might argue that.”
“I wouldn’t,” she replies.
My throat tightens as her expression shifts—just slightly.
“I’ve said it to Grayson plenty because I’ve been around him more,” she continues. “But I haven’t been able to find the proper time to tell you how sorry I am about your mother. I always enjoyed Angela’s company.”
My chest burns at the sound of her name. We may have had a complicated relationship, but at the end of the day, I still miss my mom. She’s been gone for nearly six months, and somehow, it still doesn’t feel real. It hasn’t gotten any easier to talk about the fact that she’s not here anymore.
“You remind me so much of her, Johanna.”
The words hit quietly.
“Thank you,” I manage.
I’ve never been described as soft-spoken, but my voice comes out softer than I intend it to.
We reach my car, and she stops me gently, her hand wrapping around my wrist.
“You mean the world to my Mia,” she says, sincerity threading through every word. “I’ll never be able to thank you enough for everything you’ve done for her—especially with this wedding and how you never left her side after her accident.”
She takes a pause, blinking quickly to keep the tears from escaping her eyes.
“I just want to make sure you know,” she continues. “If you ever need anything—motherly advice, a shoulder to cry on, a place to land—you can call me. Anytime.”
I squeeze her hand and close my eyes. Her words mean more to me than she could possibly realize. Even when my mom was here, we never quite talked like this.
“You’re a daughter to me as much as Makenna, Macy, and Mia are,” she adds when I don’t respond right away. “You don’t have to go through things alone, sweet girl. Not anymore.”
The burning sensation in my chest rises into the back of my throat. For a moment, I don’t trust myself to speak. If I do, I might fall apart right here in this parking lot.
“Thank you,” I say again, my voice steadying this time. “I may take you up on that.”
She gives me one last gentle smile before glancing back towards the other girls, congregated around Mia’s car and waiting.
“I hope you do,” she replies lightly. “I’d better get going. I hope I’ll see you soon.”
“I’m sure you will,” I say.
I open my car door and climb inside as Rebekah turns to join the rest of the group. Closing the door behind me, I put my hands on the steering wheel and take a deep breath to steady myself.
Feeling the weight of the magazine resting in my purse, something inside me turns as I realize—this is the beginning of my next chapter. The moment where all the chaos and uncertainty in my life turns into everything I’ve always wanted.
It’s my turn now, and for the first time in maybe my entire life—things might actually be okay.