Page 58 of Starlight Bay

“That we’re going home.” I wrapped my arm around her waist, pulling her close to me, and we walked off the beach, hand in hand.

BONUS EPILOGUE: LANA

ONE YEAR LATER:

“Are you ready? You sure you want to do this?” Bethany asked me in a hushed whisper, her eyes narrowed behind her glasses. “There’s still time to bail.”

“And what would I do with this dress?” I asked, gesturing down at my white silk off-the-shoulder column dress.

“We could make it into a tablecloth or something. Don’t do this on account of the dress.”

I shook my head, staring down the satin runner serving as the aisle, the ocean a dark blue backdrop. At the end of the aisle stood Grant, shifting nervously from foot to foot, his hands clasped behind his back. Right beside him was Hudson in a matching navy-blue suit and tie, sunlight gleaming off his blonde hair.

“Nope. Not bailing.” I smiled at her, fizzy excitement bubbling up in my chest.

“Okay. Here’s your bouquet then.” She handed me the large bunch of blue-and-white hydrangeas. “For your something blue.”

“Thanks. You look great in that dress, by the way.” I motioned at her cornflower blue silk sundress. “You too, Willow.”

“Why thank you,” Willow said, twirling in a quick circle.

“We better get going, ladies, the sunset is in a few minutes,” the photographer said, pointing at the slowly sinking sun.

On cue, the music began and first Willow, then Bethany walked down the aisle. Heads swiveled as they passed by; most of Starlight Bay turned out for our small beach wedding. Notably not in attendance was Violet. She was leading some yoga retreat in Phuket, so regretfully declined. Which was one hundred percent fine by me. She’d sent my grandmother’s diamond earrings for my Something Old, so I took that as a positive sign and moved on with my life.

The music switched to the Wedding March and it was finally time. I took a deep breath, the salty air calming me. Clutching my bouquet, I moved down the aisle, passing familiar smiling faces. Then I was at the altar, Grant by my side.

“Wow,” he murmured, his blue eyes locking on mine. “You look amazing.”

“Thanks, you look pretty great yourself.” My eyes flitted from his square jaw down to his broad shoulders, his perfect-V waist. Even after all our time together, I still couldn’t decide if I liked him better in a suit or casual clothes—he was gorgeous no matter what he wore.

“Dearly beloved, we are gathered here today,” the minister began. Grant smiled at me, lacing his fingers with mine as the sun sank lower in the sky, pink stripes coloring the horizon. My breath caught, but only from excitement, not nerves. I knewI was making the right decision—for me, for Grant, and for Hudson.

Hudson.

I glanced down at him, catching his eye, and he shot me an adorable grin. My heart swelled in my chest, happiness filling every cell in my body. I couldn’t wait to mother Huddy. I knew I wouldn’t ever replace his bio mom, but I would be there for that little boy every step of the way.

“Do you, Lana, take Grant to be your lawfully wedded husband, in good times and bad, in sickness and in health, till death do you part?”

I nodded, meeting Grant’s solemn gaze. “I do.”

“Do you, Grant, take Lana to be your lawfully wedded wife, in good times and bad, in sickness and in health, till death do you part?”

He smiled his perfect smile. “I do.”

“Now for the exchange of rings.” The minister looked to Bethany, who produced the rings, handing them to us.

“Grant, this ring is a symbol of my unending love.” I slid the platinum circle onto his strong finger.

“Lana, this ring is a symbol of my unending love.” He took my hand, placing a diamond-encrusted ring onto my finger.

“Well, then, you may kiss the bride.”

Grant stepped forward, taking my face in his warm hands and dropping the sweetest, sexiest kiss on my lips in front of all our family and friends. The waves lapped the shore, music played, people clapped, but all of that faded away into the background. The only thing that mattered to me right then, on this beach, was this wonderful, handsome man.

My husband.

Tingles shot down my body as I thought about spending the rest of my life with Grant and his adorable son. We were together, a little family, and I’d never been happier.

“I love you,” I whispered into his lips, smiling.

“I love you, too.” He broke away, grinning, and we turned to walk down the aisle, Hudson between us, clutching both of our hands. I waved my bouquet in the air happily, smiling harder than I’d smiled in a long, long time. Maybe ever.

Today was the beginning of my new life—our life—together.

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