Epilogue
RILEY
One Year Later
The girls and I walk out of the bridal shop after picking up Ellie’s dress. The big day is two months away, and we're checking everything off the list that needs to be done.
Rowan and Ellie had a long list of guests they invited, and ninety-five percent of them RSVP'd yes. Family from out of town, friends from high school who moved out of Dove Point who are coming back home to visit. There were officially one hundred and thirty guests on that list.
They want to take advantage of people being in town, so of course, Ellie planned a list of things to do. Mostly for the combined bachelor and bachelorette party, anyone who wants to join can.
Summer is here, and the weather is beautiful. People pass on their bicycles on the street, teenagers are taking advantage of the waves the beach offers, and kids are making wishes at the fountain in the middle of the town square, throwing in pennies.
August and I are still together and happier than ever. We've decided to take things slow and not rush into anything like living together, even though I'm at his house six days a week. I still teach classes at the studio and handle all the boring—fun to me—things at Honey Cakes.
A few months after the fundraiser last year, Mr. Thompson had his surgery, and everything went as great as it could have gone. August and Ellie stayed in their old bedrooms at their parents’ house for about a month. They would have stayed longer, but their mom practically kicked them out.
They interviewed multiple candidates for the caretaker role and settled on Diane, a fifty-something-year-old who’s extremely energized and talks about her wife so much that I know her big three zodiac signs.
Dads in a new relationship and seems happy. Her name is Ann, and she's a lot better than Mom so far. Speaking of Mom, she’s still herself, absorbed in her own little world. I stopped by after New Year’s, when she decided to tell me she’s moving out of Dove Point.
If I hadn't been seeing my therapist, I’d probably think it was all my fault that she’s moving. But that isn’t the case. I’m in a different headspace, working on my self-confidence and learning to love myself.
And I still take it day by day. I still have a lot to work on.
"Ellie, I'm absolutely in love with your dress. It's so perfect for you," Addie says, her hands holding her chest. "It's just so romantic."
Ellie wore a beautiful A-line lace wedding dress with thin straps and off-the-shoulder draped sleeves.
"Yeah, even I think it's gorgeous, and that says a lot," Hailey says, jokingly. "If they had it in black, that'd be even better."
"Well, maybe you can do that for your wedding.”
Hailey cackles. "Yeah, that's never happening."
"I don't know Hailey,” I say. “If I can be in a relationship, I think there's hope for you."
"Who says I want to be in a relationship? I have no desire to be in one. Plus, I'm really focused on work."
"Yeah, you're married to your job," Addie says.
"Yeah, and I get to go to sleep at night knowing I don't need to worry about what someone else is up to."
"Stop being so cynical."
"I'm not cynical. I'm realistic." Hailey grabs her long, dark and platinum blonde hair, twisting it over her shoulder. "Oh shit."
"What?" I ask.
"Ellie, did you invite Zack?"
We all stop where we are, looking at Hailey. Then I follow her gaze.
Oh shit.
"Yeah, you said I could invite him when I asked,” Ellie says in a worried tone. “He still talks to Rowan. You said it wasn’t a big deal, remember?"
"I did. Didn't I?" Hailey’s still looking at Zack.
Her ex.
Zack is the only guy Hailey has dated. She thought he was the end all be all. After high school, they attended the same college to stay together, but two years after graduation, Zack broke up with her.
She's been turned off by relationships ever since, and hasn’t seen him in four years.
"Hailey?" Zack says, walking toward us.
His dirty blond hair moves when he walks, blowing in the wind like some model. His once tall, lanky body is now bulky and chiseled.
Zack rubs his hand on his jaw, over his stubble. I look at Hailey, who's not moving a muscle. She's just staring at him as he comes closer to us.
Addie shakes her arm and whispers, "Hailey, snap out of it."
Hailey pushes a strand of her icy blonde hair behind her ear. Her tattoos look pristine like always. Her cheekbones shimmer under the sunlight. I'm surprised Zack recognized her considering she looks nothing like she did in high school.
She was very... preppy.
"Zack," Hailey says, surprised.
Zack smiles, his too white teeth showing off. He splays his arms out in greeting. "How've you been?"
Hailey keeps her facial expression neutral and bland. No excitement. No disgust. Nothing. It's like she’s disassociating.
"I can't believe I'm running into you,” Zack says, looming over us. “I just got into town last night."
"O-oh?" Hailey says.
The girls and I look at her. Hailey never stutters. She never gets tripped up. I look at her and then Zack, not knowing what to do. Addie and Ellie do the same. We stand there while the two of them face off.
"You look"—he gestures his hand up and down at her—"you look incredible, Hails."
Oof, the nickname he used to call her. My sister just stares. Her glossy lip’s part, and her full lashes flutter.
Zack crosses his arms, his biceps flexing in his white T-Shirt. "Would you want to grab a drink later? Catch up?"
I raise my brows at the question, curious what Hailey is going to say.
"Uh," Hailey utters.
He waits for her to say something. We wait for her to say something. Anything.
"Uh," she says again.
I watch her closely and see her looking over Zack's shoulder.
The guys are walking toward us. Rowan, August, James, and Beau. They're laughing and joking around. Rowan is carrying his tux in a black bag. Hailey looks between Zack and the guys.
"Beau," Hailey shouts in a bubbly tone. "Baby, are you finally done getting fitted for your tux?"
My eyebrows shoot up to my hairline.
What did she just say?
The guys stop in their tracks, the girls gape. I look at Beau, whose brows are raised, a smirk pulling at his lips.
Hailey walks past Zack and goes straight to Beau, grabbing his face and planting a big, fat kiss on his lips.
Beau seems to be just as surprised as everyone else. His arms are slightly splayed out at his sides, his eyes open. He closes his eyes, his body relaxing as he pulls her into him. His hands slowly move to her waist as the kiss goes on. A little too long.
Someone in the group clears their throat.
Hailey pulls away, wrapping an arm around his waist. His muscular, tattooed arm drapes over her shoulder. Typical Beau, going along with whatever this whole thing is.
"Zack," Hailey says with a smile, "this is my boyfriend, Beau."
Everyone looks at each other and then at Beau and Hailey.
What. The. Fuck.