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Epilogue

JT

“DON’T FORGET TOact surprised,” I remind her as we drive to my parents’ for the big “meet and greet” party.

“Got it,” she leans over and kisses my cheek. “Thank you again.”

“Anything for you.”

Absolute truth. Iwoulddo anything for Bellamy Morgan, the love of my life, the gorgeous embodiment of everything I never knew I was missing, until I found it.

Every day spent with her just gets better and better, the last few weeks a frenzied blur. She got the job at the boutique and loves everything about it—her boss, the better hours and pay, and the upgrades to her wardrobe here and there.

I sorda taught her how to drive—stillvery mucha work in progress, but we’ve practiced the route from home to work so many times, I feel okay about her driving it. No veering off course though; that’s our agreement.Especiallyno impromptu left-hand turns…just the thought throws me into full panic mode.

Turns out I’m an excellent study partner and she’s already finished the “private setting” section of her Sociology paper.

In other breaking news, turns out a club owner three states away, that my Uncle Sawyer happened to know and ran into,on the phone when he dialed it, needed a house band, so Fahrenheit got their break….no longer anywhere near my girl…as luck would have it.

I haven’t slept at my own apartment in so long, Sutton may have moved someone new in, not that I’d care.

And now…the party, where my whole, crazy family gets to meet, and most likely scare the shit out of Bellamy’s parents and her best friend from back home, Emma.Hopefully, they’ll all blend well together and keep each other occupied, because if they do, I’ve got certain aspirations of my own for the evening.

“Okay, lemme see your surprised face,” I say when we’re parked in the driveway.

“No,” she laughs. “You can’trehearsesurprise. That defeats the whole purpose. Come on,” she reaches for her door handle.

“Woman,” I growl.

“Sorry, sorry,” she gushes. “I forgot; I’m excited.”

I head around to open the door and help her out, keeping my hold on her hand. “Just promise me, if your father hates me,you’llstill love me.”

“He won’t hate you,” she smiles, eyes sparkling. “I won’t let him.”

“Not sure that plan will work, but okay, here goes.” I take a deep pull of her luscious mouth then lead us into the backyard. “Mom?” I call out thesuper tricky and covertpre-set signal as we turn the corner.

“Surprise!” The whole lot of crazies pop up from behind table, chairs, and trees to scream. Except Sawyer. He remains seated, giving a half-ass blow to one of those ribbon horn things. And my dad. He more just turns his head and grins. And Uncle Evan, who raises his beer bottle in the air with a “chin-up” of acknowledgement. And Uncle Zach…who must be in the bathroom.

So basically, all the women in the yard pop up and scream. Close enough.

“Oh, my gosh!” my girl squeals, playing it off perfectly. “What’s going on? Mom? Dad?Emma?”

Thatone actually was a surprise and when my beauty glances my way, I wink and whisper, “Surprise.” She’s beaming, bouncing in place and about to combust. “Go on, baby. I’ll find ya,” I laugh and set her free.

Off she darts, across the yard to hug her family and friend, while I head toward my mom and her circle of cohorts. “My baby boy,” she wraps me in a hug.

“Thank you, Mom. This is wonderful. You’re too good to me.”

“Ahem,” about four, if I’m guessing, throats clear and I pull against my mom’s unrelenting embrace with a chuckle to address the rest of the gaggle.

I know who probably did most of the planning—Whitley—but I thank the group equally. “You’re the greatest, all of you. Bellamy’s beyond happy, and that means the world to me, sothank you, very much.”

They each take turns pulling me in for their own hug and kiss, except Aunt Bennett, who high-fives me and hands me a beer. “Um,” I pause, “maybe I shouldn’t drink in front of her dad.”

“Aren’t you precious, all pussy-whipped and shit. Youarewhipping the pussy by now, right?” Presley,shocking, asks.

“I. Give. Up.” Aunt Emmett throws her hands in the air. “It’s somebody else’s turn to try.I’mgoing to drink. A lot. And we all know my husband’s already drunk, so we’re sleeping here. Good luck with my heathen daughter!”

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