Page 86 of Texting My Valentine

“Remember the rule, Uncle Alex. You can only text if it’s Tori.”

I chuckle. “Seems I’m in luck, then.”

Tori:Do you think you could come to the bar?

My instincts turn to fierce protection right away.

Alex:Is something wrong?

Tori:No, but something has happened. I know it seems silly because it’s us, but I don’t want to tell you over text.

Alex:Is it good news or bad news?

Tori:I think you’ll need to decide that for yourself.

Alex:Okay, Miss Cryptic. But do YOU think it’s good or bad news?

Tory:My opinion sort of depends on your response.

I smirk, rolling my eyes. “Elliot, want to go for a ride?”

I drive to the bar, memories surging through me when I walk through the door. Julian still can’t believe that his ploy worked. He loves jokingly taking credit for us.

Tori rushes over to us, taking a moment to bump knuckles with Elliot. “Hey, champ.”

“Sup, Tori.”

“What is it?” I ask, taking Tori’s hand.

“I’m pregnant,” she says cautiously, clearly worried about my response, just like she said.

I let out a cheer so loud several people turn to look at us. Tori giggles when I pull her into my arms. “Pregnant? This is amazing news.”

“Are you sure?” she asks. “You don’t think we’re moving too fast?”

“Tori, my perfect poet, I knew I loved you the moment I saw you before we even exchanged our first text. Nothing is too fast for me… unless it is for you.”

She blinks, her eyes welling, making her look even more emotional and beautiful. “Whenever I tried to take it slow, I was kidding myself,” she says. “I wanted a happily ever after with you the night we met.”

“I love you,” I say, pulling her into my arms.

She wraps one arm around me and pulls Elliot in with the other. “I love you too. What do you think, Elliot? You’re going to have a little cousin.”

Elliot beams up at us. “I think I’ve got the best family ever.”

Considering where we started, the betrayal of my brother, his dad, and his mom this touches me deeply, and I feel a tear well in my eye.

EPILOGUE

TORI

One Year Later

“She is just the cutest,” Lily says as she rocks Cadence back and forth. “Look at the little Cupid. Aren’t you just the cutest little Cupid?”

“Did she have a say in her sickeningly romantic attire?” Cleo says sarcastically, pouring herself a glass of wine.

I giggle. We’re sitting on the back porch of my and Alex’s beach house, the sun setting, the waves lapping softly. Cadence is dressed up as Cupid since it’s Valentine’s Day.

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