Page 170 of In Spades

“Welcome to the club,” Bridget said with a smile as she pointed to the stunning, pear-shaped diamond ring on my finger. “How does it feel?”

“Surreal,” I said as I slid onto a barstool. “I can’t believe it, and I feel like I have so much to do!” I laughed. “It’s only been like five minutes, and I’m already thinking about dresses, cakes, and flowers. How did you decide what to tackle first?”

Bridget shrugged. “I’m taking it slow. We don’t even have a date yet.”

I raised my eyebrows as I took a sip of champagne. “Really?”

She nodded. “I’m just so busy right now. The only thing I’ve gotten is my dress. Kyle and I have talked about other stuff, but nothing’s set in stone.”

Well, that was some news. Before Maddie married Luca, we piled into bridal salons to help as she tried on gown after gown. I imagined that when Hannah Jane and Isaac finally got engaged, we would do the same.

“Oh, wow. That’s, uh… Exciting.”

Bridget nodded, but the smile on her face was as fake as a three-dollar bill. “Yeah, Kyle’s mom wanted to go with me, so we did it with just the two of us. It was… nice.”

“Well, I’m happy for you,” I said. “I bet it’s going to be beautiful.”

“Oh my God!” Maddie squealed as she bolted across the bar, still in her chef whites from her shift at Revanche. “I’m so happy for you! Okay! We need to talk about catering and cake. I’m picturing five tiers. You seem like a textured buttercream kind of girl, so what do you think of brushed buttercream lace and fresh flowers for your cake? It works in pretty much any season, and I can make the piped lace look like your dress if your dress has lace on it. Hannah Jane! we need to book dress appointments!”

“On it!” Hannah Jane shouted from the other side of the bar. She and Kylie were poring over her big-ass wedding binder.

“Lord have mercy,” Mel said with a laugh. “Are you ready for Abbott and Costello to be back in wedding planning mode? We almost didn’t survive Mad’s wedding, and now we’ve got Bee’s, yours, and Erica’s baby shower coming up.” She oohed and ahhed over my ring for a moment.

“When’s it gonna be your big day?” I asked. “Anyone caught your eye?”

Mel laughed. “Nah, I just keep getting shitty Tinder matches. Nothing even remotely worthy of a second date.”

“You’ll find yours,” I reassured her. “I wasn’t even looking for love, but it fell in my lap and knocked me on my ass anyway.”

I used to believe that I was secondhand smoke—something vile and ugly. The things my parents did weren’t my fault, and I knew that. Still, it didn’t change the fact that I was the byproduct of something deplorable.

But I didn’t think that way anymore.

I was done putting my head down and simply getting through each day. Nothing had changed about my circumstance, except for the amount of love I allowed myself to receive. I was worthy of the love they had to give.

Will came up behind me and wrapped his arms around my waist. “Hey, Sunshine.”

I leaned the back of my head against his chest and surveyed the bar.

Hannah Jane was deep in conversation with Kylie, as were Steve and Logan.

Maddie had pulled Hunter out onto the dance floor. Sure, she was a solid foot and a half taller than him, but his enthusiasm made up for it as they swung around to Johnny Cash.

Chase had his Zoey Bear balanced on the toes of his boots. He carefully waddled in circles, dancing with her feet on top of his.

Will kissed the top of my head. “What are you thinking about?”

“Just thinking about how wonderful life is,” I said with a blissful sigh. “How wonderful it’s always been, even when I didn’t see it.”

“We’ve got a lot to be thankful for,” he murmured.

I nodded. “Blessings in spades.”

EPILOGUE

WILLIAM

“Kids, get a move on!” I shouted. “We’ve gotta go!”

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