Epilogue
“And then I just left the room. He hasn’t texted me since.” Ben let out a roar of laughter, cracking himself up at his own story.
Felicia shook her head, a hint of a smile playing at her lips. Naomi and Tim laughed, looking a little unsure what to make of Ben, but enamored like everyone who met him.
It was their first Fire Pit Friday with the whole group together.
Usually, it was Ben and/or Felicia or Naomi and Tim.
Not intentionally separating the groups of friends, just how things worked out.
Renee had instituted an open invitation for fire pit evenings shortly after she decided to stay put in Oakview.
She’d long since run through Mrs. Jade’s wood, and they took a few weeks off when the temperatures were a little too low to stand being outside, even with the fire.
But now it was late-March, and the weather was perfect for these events.
Jessica laughed beside her, with Chase lying contentedly at her feet, that magical sound still feeling like a delicious treat.
Renee couldn’t get enough of that laugh, and she was grateful for the opportunity to hear it regularly.
Jessica and Chase had officially moved into the house a couple of months before, which made it feel even more like her home now.
The house.
Her house.
Not just her aunt’s house anymore. Renee had put her own brush on it, painting some rooms and adding some of her own furniture and decorative touches.
And Jessica had helped. Jessica, who was learning to trust herself and her own tastes and interests again.
Renee was glad to be a part of that process for her.
And it wasn’t only the house. Oakview was becoming hers as well. She was getting to know her neighbors. Getting familiar with the nearest grocery store and gas station. She even found a new gym. Everything was falling into place for her.
There was just one piece left to make her life feel complete.
Renee stood from her folding chair. “Who needs a refill?”
“I’ll get it,” Felicia said, moving to stand.
“No, no, Jessica and I can get them,” she hurriedly added.
“Sure can,” Jessica said, standing alongside her. “Naomi? Tim?”
“We’re good for now,” Naomi said. “Thanks.”
“Ben?” Renee asked.
“I’ll take another,” he said, handing over his wine glass.
Renee took his while Jessica took Felicia’s. Renee’s hand trembled slightly, just enough that she was afraid she might drop it right there in the grass. She could blame her wooziness on the smoke from the crackling fire, but she knew better.
Get it together, Renee.
She followed Jessica inside, the scent of sandalwood penetrating the smoky air. Once in the kitchen, they set the glasses on the island, each on opposite sides.
“Want to grab the Pinot Grigio from the fridge?”
“On it,” Jessica said, turning away to retrieve the bottle.
While her back was turned, Renee pulled the small box from her pocket and placed it on the counter beside one of the empty wine glasses, her hand shaking even more now.
Jessica turned around, and her eyes widened at the sight of the little gray velvet box.
She placed the wine bottle down, looked up and met Renee’s gaze. “What is this?”
“Open it,” Renee said, her voice shaking now.
Jessica carefully flipped open the box lid, and her eyes grew even wider. She glanced up at Renee, then looked back down at the contents of the box.
“I’ve been trying to find the perfect time to do this, but every moment with you has felt perfect, so I figured, might as well do it now.
” She waited until Jessica looked up at her again, those gorgeous hazel eyes glowing at her.
“The past six months with you have meant more to me than any other period in my life. You took a miserable situation and brought light in. But you didn’t try to change anything.
You let me sit with my grief when I needed to.
You’ve been beside me ever since, and I am so, so grateful for that.
Having you in my life… I just can’t imagine it without you in it.
So, if you’re in, I’d like to spend the rest of my days with you by my side. ”
Tears welled in Jessica’s eyes, adding more glimmer to those bright orbs. “I want that, too.”
Renee fought back her own tears and steadied her voice to ask, “So we’re doing this? We’re getting married?”
“Yes,” Jessica said, rushing around the island with the box in one hand. She flung her arms over Renee’s shoulders. “A million times, yes!”
Then she kissed Renee with a force that mirrored everything Renee was feeling. Her warm lips pressed against Jessica’s as tears fell from her eyes.
When they moved apart, Renee pulled Jessica’s hand from around her neck and pulled the ring from the box. She slid it onto Jessica’s finger and kissed her again, her heart flooded with the warm sensation of knowing she would get to kiss this amazing woman for years to come.
“It’s beautiful,” Jessica said, admiring the ring. Then she looked back up at Renee, “Just like the woman who gave it to me.”
They smiled and kissed once more.
“We should probably go back out there,” Renee said. “Tell the others?”
“Yes. Definitely.” Jessica nodded at the glasses and the abandoned bottle of wine. “Better not go empty-handed, though.”
“No, I guess not,” Renee said with a smile that was so wide it hurt.
They poured the wine, put away the bottle, then carried the glasses outside to share the good news.
To read a free prequel featuring Kim and Melanie’s second-chance love story visit:
Kim and Melanie thought their marriage was over. But when a local book club brings them back together, old sparks light up again. As they turn the pages of a new story—and their shared past—they’ll have to decide if love deserves a second draft.