Epilogue
One Year Later
In my wildest dreams, I wouldn’t have dared imagine this life for myself. Not because I didn’t want it, but out of fear that reality would never measure up. That I would forever wish for a fever dream and forget to live in the moment.
But here I am, at the Dogwood Festival for the second year in a row, with abundantly more than I could ever ask for.
Sunshine Blooms has reached heights I hadn’t thought possible in just a year’s time.
After I had a few videos go viral on social media last summer, business has been booming.
Customers travel from all over the country to the markets I attend just to buy my Taylor Swift era-themed bouquets or craft their own.
I was also booked solid for all the weekends I had available on my website, bringing Daffodil to countless bridal showers, weddings, and other events.
Ever since the festival last year, I’ve been selling Connor’s wood pieces at any market I attend. Everything from his original wooden vases to window planters sell out every time.
I smile over at Connor as he sets another load of wooden vases near my truck.
His lips tilt up in the grin that has become like second nature to him now, at least around me.
My chest swells. I knew what happiness and joy were before I was Connor Porter’s girlfriend—I never get tired of saying that—but my life is immeasurably better with him in it.
Each day I’m filled with a deep, undeniable, ever-present feeling of joy, knowing he’s mine.
I walk over to Connor, and it feels like I’m floating, forever on cloud nine around him. “You really outdid yourself this time, Con.”
He kisses my cheek. “It’s because I had you on my mind.”
“I’m not always on your mind?” I tease.
“Oh, you are.” He smirks. “But I really wanted to make something that I knew you’d love.”
I wrap my arms around his neck and press my lips to his.
He places his free hand on the small of my back, drawing me closer until I don’t know where I end and he begins.
My heart skitters as he deepens the kiss, my pulse erratic as I breathe him in.
I don’t think I’ll ever get used to this. Him. And I don’t think I ever want to.
A lifetime of stolen kisses in crowds sounds like perfection.
When I pull back, he rests his forehead against mine. “You’re going to be my undoing, flower.”
I smile up at him. “Then I’d say my goal of ruining you from ever wanting any other women is a success.”
Connor shakes his head at my antics. “I think we’re way past that.” He lets go and moves back to the truck.
I tilt my chin and soak in the sun’s warm rays beaming on my face. It’s the perfect day. A balmy sixty-five degrees. Clear skies. A festival with my flower truck. Time spent with Connor. I couldn’t ask for anything more.
“Shay?” The tenderness in Connor’s voice catches me off guard. I open my eyes, finding him in front of me, shifting on his feet as he holds one of his vases.
“Why are you so nervous?” I laugh. “Trust me, no one is going to notice if there’s the tiniest imperfection in the wood—only you can see that.”
His face remains neutral at my teasing.
I tilt my head and raise an eyebrow. “What’s wrong?”
“I’d like to buy a bouquet for my fiancée.” Connor takes a step closer and turns the vase around. “That is, if she’ll have me?”
A gasp escapes my lips. Etched into the wood are the words will you marry me?
It’s only four little words, but the meaning they carry is monumental.
“Flower, I’ve known you for over half of my life, and while I didn’t realize it then, I was slowly falling for you all along.
I love how kind and thoughtful you are. That you would do anything for anyone.
You light up any room you walk into, and I love seeing how others are naturally drawn to you.
You’re the best girlfriend, daughter, sister, friend, and honorary aunt.
But, most of all, I love who you are in the small moments.
How you show up to the fire station with donuts as a thank-you to the people who were literally just doing their job saving you. ”
I release a shaky breath as he continues, trying to soak in every moment. Every word.
“How your presence alone makes me feel safe to open up and share my thoughts and feelings without any fear. That you’re the same person when no one’s watching that you are all the time.
You’re truly the most generous, considerate, empathetic, and optimistic person I know, and I’m simply the man that’s lucky enough to be known and loved by you.
While I know I’m not perfect, I promise to spend the rest of my days being the best possible version of myself for you. ”
Connor drops to one knee. He sets the vase down beside him and reaches into his pocket, pulling out a black velvet box.
A single tear falls from his eye as he looks up at me and whispers, “I love you.” He clears his throat before a teasing smirk tilts his lips.
“I think it’s time you officially take the Porter name that you’ve been doodling since the sixth grade. ”
A laugh bursts from my lips. I’m going to kill Mallory for telling him what I recently told her in confidence. After I say yes, that is.
He flips open the box, revealing a round diamond with a sunburst halo of glittering diamonds around it, making it look like a flower, all set on a white gold band. It’s not only beautiful…it’s perfect. I couldn’t have picked a better ring if I’d gone shopping for one myself.
“Shayna Elise Monroe, will you please marry me?”
Happy tears drip onto my cheeks as I nod. “Yes.” I bend down and fling my arms around his neck.
He effortlessly catches me—thanks to his deliciously strong muscles—and presses a kiss to my temple. “I can’t wait to marry you.”
I pull my head back just enough to plant my lips on his. I keep it short and sweet this time, since I hear lots of cheering around us. We’ve had enough kisses in front of an audience. But what can I say? When you love someone as much as I love this man, all fear of PDA goes out the window.
Connor stands, pulling me with him, before carefully slipping the ring onto my finger. It’s a perfect fit, just like he is for me.
I reach down, pick up the vase he made, and hold it to my chest. “I’m keeping this forever.” I can’t even imagine how long it took for him to carefully carve each of the letters.
Friends and family run over to us, and my family pulls us into a hug first.
“Welcome to the family, Connor,” my mom says.
“Yeah, it took you long enough.” Reagan laughs. I smack my sister’s arm. “What? It’s true. You’ve loved him for, like, ever.”
I can’t argue with the truth. The second they let go, we’re engulfed in another hug by Mallory. Unshed tears shine in my friend’s eyes. “We’ve always been sisters, but I can’t wait for it to be legally official.”
“Me either.” I squeeze her tight.
Over her shoulder, I watch as Connor gets rocked violently back and forth by Mama Porter as she exclaims, “I can’t believe my boy is getting married. My prayers have finally been answered.”
He shoots me a wide-eyed look that pleads Save me. I let go of Mallory before going over and hugging their parents. Mama Porter turns her full attention to me. “Oh, Shayna dear. You’re the best daughter-in-love I could’ve asked for.”
Her comment has me tearing up faster than I do when I cut into an onion. “I’m honored to have you as my second mama.”
We’re both in tears, holding each other, until Mallory steps in and pulls me away. “Okay, enough of this little sob fest. You have other people who want to congratulate you.”
I wipe my face with the back of my hand. After I’ve accepted my final hugs from Connor’s parents, I’m swarmed by the Long Live Girlies. I hold out my ring for them to see, and they all give just the reaction I was hoping for.
Alyssa gasps and grabs my hand. “It’s stunning.”
“Literal perfection,” Kelsey agrees.
“Is that a flower?” Tess asks. I nod. She tears up. “That’s the sweetest thing.”
“He’ll probably deny it, but I helped him pick it out.” Mallory smirks. “I had to make sure my future sister got what she deserved.”
I would’ve taken a paper ring, but I can’t deny how stunning it is.
Kelsey places her hands on her hips. “You two can’t forget about us now that you’ll be related.”
“Are you kidding?” I pull them in for a hug. “Y’all are stuck with me for life, whether you like it or not.”
“Forevermore,” they say as we cross our arms, making hand hearts with each other in a little circle. It’s been our version of a pinky promise since middle school.
“Forevermore,” I echo back.
Loud shouts from behind me have me turning around just in time to catch Connor’s crew surrounding him.
“Porter’s getting married!” Fisher yells, and the rest of his crew clap and cheer. He looks around until he spots me, and a devilish spark dances in his eyes. Oh no.
The next thing I know, he’s lifting me into the air.
Once my butt is settled on Fisher’s shoulder, I turn and see two of the other guys from the station lift Connor onto theirs.
His lips lift in a genuine smile. I’m sure his mom is snapping tons of photos for evidence, but he doesn’t seem to care, because his hazel eyes are locked on mine. He gives me a what can you do? shrug.
“To Porter and Shayna,” Lieutenant Malone says.
“To Porter and Shayna,” everyone says before they finally set us back on our feet.
Connor pulls me into his arms. “I’m sorry for all of this. I said I didn’t want to make it a big deal, but everyone insisted.”
I shake my head, smiling at him. “Don’t be. I wouldn’t change a thing.”
He leans down and kisses me, making everyone cheer again. Someone even wolf-whistles. Probably Fisher.
When Connor pulls back, I’m in a love-induced haze. A perfect bubble that can’t be popped. He glances at his phone and turns to address our family and friends. “It’s selling time, so we’ll see you all back at my parents’ house later for our engagement barbecue.”
Everyone offers their final congratulations and clears out, leaving room for customers.
Connor moves to finish arranging his vases and window boxes as I tend to the flowers.
As I adjust a bouquet of daisies, my fingers instinctively ache to pluck the petals, evidence of the daisy game I’ve played for years, trying to let fate decide if Connor loved me or not.
But there’s no need for me to play it anymore, because I already know the answer. I catch his gaze, and the full smile he gives me sends my heart soaring like a butterfly bursting from its cocoon.
He loves me.