Epilogue
RACHEL
THANKSGIVING DAY
“Can I really go swimming?” Dottie’s eyes are wide as saucers as she stares up at Tate Ramsey.
He’s smiling down at her, amusement dancing in his eyes, and I realize Dottie has fallen under his spell like the rest of us have.
Tate is just that charismatic, I swear. Paige’s eyes have followed him around since the moment she met him, and while she’s not acting out of pocket toward him because she respects the fact that he’s in a loving relationship with my other best friend, I do see the stars in her eyes.
He’s a celebrity. Even more famous now than when he was in the boy band. I get it. There’s something special about him that can’t be described.
“You can definitely go swimming. We turned up the heat in the pool last night, so you should be good to go,” Tate tells Dottie before glancing over at where Wyatt and I are standing. “You’re all right with that, Dad?”
Wyatt nods, slinging his arm around my shoulders and tucking me close to him.
He’s been doing that since we got back together, like he’s afraid I’m going to run away again.
There’s no chance in hell that’s happening.
“I am. Dottie, thank him for letting you go in the pool when it’s fifty degrees out. ”
It’s cold in Los Angeles, but it is late November. The sky is cloudy, and rain is forecast to fall by this evening.
“Thank you!” Dottie squeals, following after Tate as he opens the French door that leads out to the backyard. They both head outside, and Wyatt drops a kiss on my forehead before he lets me go and follows after them, though he pauses at the door.
“Join me in a few minutes, okay?” Wyatt’s searing gaze meets mine, and I nod, struck mute by how handsome he is. He’s still got the beard, and it’s fuller now. I had no idea I’d be drawn to a man with a beard, but here I am, ready to get whisker burn on the tender skin between my thighs yet again.
It’s worth it. Trust me.
The second the door shuts, Scarlett starts talking.
“That man is so hung up on you.” She shakes her head, grinning. “You can cut the tension between you two with a knife.”
It’s not like we’re keeping our hands off each other.
We’ve been essentially attacking each other nonstop since he came to get me in New York.
The breakfast with my parents went as well as I had expected it to go—not horrible, though they weren’t overly enthusiastic either.
But they let me go without any complaints.
Wouldn’t have mattered if they had complained. I would’ve followed Wyatt anyway.
“Are we that obvious?” I blink, leaning into the “gee, I’m so innocent” vibe that we all know is total bullshit.
Paige actually snorts, then covers her mouth like she can’t believe she made that sound. “Girl, please. Every time I look at the two of you, all I can think is, These two are doing it constantly. I’m so jealous.”
I smile at her but say nothing. I filled Scarlett in on the saga that continues between Paige and Nate, and she doesn’t say anything either. Just continues smiling at us, a glass of wine clutched in her hand.
“Dinner will be ready soon.” She takes a sip from her glass before she glances toward the kitchen, where a staff of three is currently putting the finishing touches on our Thanksgiving meal. “And I’m starving, so I can’t wait.”
I’m not that hungry. “I ate too many of those delicious appetizers.” It’s still a chronic problem, but I figure ’tis the season.
“They were so good,” Paige agrees, casting a nervous glance Scarlett’s way.
“Am I making an ass of myself in front of your fiancé? Be honest. I am probably acting like a lovestruck teenager. I should be embarrassed, huh? It’s still so hard for me to believe I’m having Thanksgiving dinner with Tate Ramsey.
No one back home will believe me. Thank God we’re taking lots of photos to document this holiday. ”
“Noooo.” Scarlett drags the word out, shaking her head. “You’re not making an ass of yourself! It’s fine. You’re fine. Trust me, I get it. I had a poster of him on my wall too, back in the day.”
“He’s disgustingly attractive.” Paige covers her mouth again, all three of us laughing. “Seriously. I wouldn’t be able to function if I had him around all the time.”
“You get used to it. Trust me.” Scarlett and I share a look, and Paige jumps to her feet, heading for the door.
“I’m going to join the guys,” she tells us, opening and shutting the door quickly.
I watch as she makes her way over to Wyatt, settling on the lounger beside him as they watch Dottie splash around in the pool.
Tate takes off his shirt, and I realize he’s wearing swim trunks just as he jumps into the water, making Dottie squeal with delight.
“He’s going to be a good father someday,” I tell Scarlett.
“I know. He loves kids.” A dreamy sigh leaves my bestie, and I glance over at her. “Wyatt is a great father. He adores Dottie. And you.”
My entire body goes warm. “I’m lucky.”
“You deserve it,” she stresses. “After all the dumb men you’ve been with in the past, you finally found a good one.”
“I did, didn’t I?” A laugh escapes me, and I shake my head. “Did you see that Lady Cocksbury dumped Edmund for a fifty-year-old real estate mogul from Ireland?”
“What? No. You’re kidding.” Scarlett grabs her phone and starts searching, finding an article immediately. “Oh dear. The headline on this story says, ‘Davies Duped and Dumped.’ Wow. I suppose this is his karma for what he did to you.”
“That’s what I thought.”
Scarlett looks pleased. “Your karma took care of you quite nicely.”
“Hey, I always keep my side of the street clean.” Taylor’s song resonates with me more than ever, thanks to the utter failure that is Edmund’s relationship. Though, knowing their history, they’ll probably be back together in six months. Not that I care.
I have the man of my dreams, who is currently watching me from where he’s sitting outside. Our gazes lock, and he mouths, Come out here.
“Where are you going?” Scarlett asks as I rise to my feet without a word and make my way over to the door.
“I’m going to go sit with the love of my life before we eat,” I tell her, opening the door.
She sets her glass on the table and stands. “I think I’ll join you.”
“Perfect.” I smile at Wyatt, who pats the empty spot beside him, Paige sitting on his other side, Tate and Dottie splashing around in the pool.
Perfect.