Page 119 of Lucky Strike

If there’s one thing I’ve done right lately, it’s help Bria return to school. She’ll be at Boston University next fall, working toward her masters in psychology. “Bring it on, babe. I can’t wait for you to analyze me.”

She aims a gentle kick at my leg. “Anyway, I’m just saying that every emotion is valid and I’m good with that,” she says. “Areyouhappy?”

“Getting there.” I set my glass down and take her hands. For a minute we just look at each other. It feels like we’ve already lived a few lifetimes together. “You make me happy.”

“Really?” She tilts her head, her warm eyes searching mine.

“Really.” I bring her hands to mine, kissing them. “I know I've been all over the place, but I'm trying.”

“I know you are. I can see it.” She looks at our hands, clasped between us. “I wish you’d let me help you. It might be hard for me to do certain things these days, but loving you is one thing I’ve always been good at.”

Her words are a hug around my heart, so tight I can barely breathe. It doesn’t matter what version of the future I envision, where I am or what I’m doing—this woman is the one constant. I’m tired of denying what I’ve known on a cellular level since I was seventeen. “I love you with so much of my heart that none is left to protest.”

She sucks in a sharp breath, her eyes twinkling. “Are you quoting Shakespeare to me, Romeo?”

“I am.” I give a slow nod. “Hero.”

“That shouldn’t work as well as it does,” she admits, a subtle blush darkening her cheeks. “But you’ve always been a charmer.”

Moving closer, I take her carefully into my arms so that she’s leaningback against me. “I hope it always works on you.” I press a kiss to her neck. “Whatever it takes.”

“Whatever what takes?” she asks, peering up at me with a content, little smile.

“Whatever it takes to keep you by my side.” Not too long ago, Bria was the one trying to hold on to me. Now I’m the one who won’t let go, who can’t imagine a me without her. “Liam’s not the only one who’d be kind of lost without you.”

“I’m not going anywhere,” she promises, the twinkle in her eyes taking on a deeper shine as she blinks back tears.

“Good, because I don’t want to do this without you. Any of it.” I shift my weight, retrieving a small, velvet bag from the pocket of my jeans. “You’ve always had my back. I’ll always have yours. I hope you know that.”

“Lucky?” she whispers, her eyes widening as I place the bag in her hand. With a deep breath, she empties the ring onto her palm. Her hands are shaking, so I help her slide it on. It’s a perfect fit, thanks to Maeve’s sneaky reconnaissance over the past month.

We stare down at our hands, entwined, the ring winking up at us like a fallen star. “Marry me, Bria?”

35.Bria

Six Months Later

Late afternoon sunlight streams through the window, making my engagement ring’s pink sapphire sparkle. It’s rose gold, with vintage filigree, and probably the most beautiful thing anyone has ever given me.

“It issomuch nicer here than it is back home right now.” Taya stands at the same window, the breeze ruffling her hair. “June can be brutal in the Bronx. I just got off the phone with my friend, and she said it hit ninety yesterday.”

“Yeah, the summers are pretty mild here,” Maeve says. A grin spreads over her face as she steps back, her eyes trailing over my dress. “You look like a dream.”

“Thanks,” I whisper, a slightly dazed reflection staring back at me from the full-length mirror. I run my hands delicately over the layers of lace, as in love with this dress as I was the day I found it. “Am I really getting married today? For real?”

Maeve rests her chin on my shoulder as we gaze into the mirror. “It took you long enough.”

“We had a pretty short engagement, Maeve.”

“Yeah, but this has always been inevitable,” she says, darting acrossthe room to help Taya fasten a button. “I can’t wait to see my brother’s face.”

We’re at the Kellys’ country estate, getting ready in the guest house. Being in this room is especially surreal. It’s been redone over the years, but I see past its current décor to how it was when Lucky and I spent nights here wrapped in each other, whispering in the dark. One thing remains the same, though, and that’s the peonies. They’re everywhere. He made sure of that.

Ma wanders over, her eyes filling with tears at the sight of me.

“Oh no, don't start crying again!” I laugh despite the lump in my throat, dabbing gently under her eyes with a tissue. "You'll ruin your makeup before we even get out there.”

“I know. But you’re beautiful, honey.” She lets out a watery chuckle, taking the tissue. “Anyway, I better get back out there, make sure Grammy’s okay. I left her with Grace, Lucky’s grandmother.”

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