Chapter 48
Fact or Fiction?
Emma Woodhouse finds her Mr. Knightley.
Everly
My stomach swirls with anxiety as my plane begins its initial decent into Dublin. Christmas and my winter break went by way
too fast and now it’s back to the reality of my own life instead of my family’s, which kind of sucks because my family is
a wonderful distraction.
But Luke’s words have been on repeat in my mind since the moment he said them before the wedding.
You’ve never even been in love. You know nothing. You’re just a kid.
We had a long talk after the wedding on the lookout bench and Luke told me he didn’t mean what he said, he was just hurting,
but you know those jokes that people make that are just a little too close to home?
That was in Luke’s words.
There was a sliver of truth to them. I have never been in love. I had a boyfriend for two years in high school and was still
never able to say the words. Which is just wild because my love cup runneth over in every other part of my life. My moms,
my dad, Cozy, my uncles, my brother, my niece. My grandma. My God, I am the most loved, most blessed young adult that ever
existed.
The only hardship in my life thus far was losing my grandpa.
Which was absolutely brutal. And it seems like ever since then, I can’t seem to shake this feeling of needing to do right by him.
Needing to make sure everyone is good for him.
I want to take care of everyone all the time.
Anything to avoid looking at my own life and my own experiences, because if I really looked at my life in Ireland . . .
It’s kind of pathetic.
Sure I go to parties, but it’s almost like I’m just checking a box, not genuinely letting myself go.
And even my classes are a struggle. I’m barely scraping by and the coursework is only getting harder. I’m studying, but it’s
not sticking. I don’t know what’s wrong with me. I just . . . want to be present in my own damn life.
My phone pings with a text and I swipe the screen to see a message from Luke.
Luke: Don’t forget about what I said.
Everly: What did you say again? Refresh my memory please because it’s been a long flight.
Luke: I said you need to LIVE a little, kid. It’s your turn to experience life for yourself and not worry about anyone else. Be
selfish. We’re all good back here. Your masterminding worked and we’re happy and in love. Now you need to go find your own
great love story. Even if it’s not the love of your life. It’s time you experience something just for you . . . and not for
all of us. And if you don’t report back with something interesting, your uncles will fly their asses over there and force
you into it. Got it?
My lips curl up into a smile as I picture my three uncles in Dublin. Somehow, I think they’d find a way to fit right in.
Everly: Got it.
Luke: Love ya, Evie-bear. Keep me posted, okay?
Everly: Will do. Give a big hug to Addison for me. And go enjoy your honeymoon! Love you both.
I close my phone and sit back in my seat to glance out my window. Ireland is about to get a taste of the real Everly Fletcher.