Page 113 of Right in Front of You

“Oh, you mean when she scraped her knees.”

“Well, we both know that’s not the only reason she came in. Thank you for bringing her to me, for being a good friend, and for taking care of her all these years. There’s nothing I can do or say to show my immense gratitude.”

“It was my pleasure. So, I know I haven’t done this the right way. I mean, I don’t do much the right way, but I wanted to officially ask you for Molly’s hand.”

If Carter didn’t think he was doing things the right way, then he was mistaken.

“Of course. You both have our blessing.”

My father kissed me on the top of my head and shook Carter’s hand before joining my mother.

“I’m so proud of you,” I said to Carter.

“Really?”

“You don’t see it, do you?”

“What?”

“How much you’ve changed.”

It had been a while since I’d seen Carter blush. It was sexy.

“Do you think Nick will mind the bandages?” Carter pointed to his cheek. His newly formed skin had been irritated and punctured when he was set on fire. The wounds though were healing nicely.

“I don’t think Nick will notice anyone other than Jo today.”

“You know what, I think you’re right, because I’m pretty sure I’ll be looking at you all day. Come here.” He patted his thighs in the wheelchair. I sat down on his lap and wrapped my arms around his neck.

“I never thought I could be this happy,” I said.

“And I always believed you would be. That we would be.” Carter pressed his mouth to mine, sealing a promise of a long future together with his lips.

We walked to Pebble Beach as a family, where Nick was supposed to bring Jo and Mac to skip stones. Jo had no idea she’d be getting married today, and I couldn’t wait to see my best friend tie the knot with the love of her life. I glanced to the side where Carter was sitting, and I was more than certain that I was lucky enough to have the love of my life as well.

When we passed a table full of calendars, I stopped. “What’s this?”

“Oh, the guys at the firehouse took some pictures. We’re selling them for ten bucks apiece. It’s for Sarah at the hospital. All proceeds go to help pay for Sarah’s procedures and to help the family with hospital bills.”

“You did this?”

“Sort of.” He shrugged. “I really want her to get well. I think Daisy would have liked that.”

“I know she would have. Are you in there?”

I flipped through the pages until I landed on Mr. July where Carter’s only clothing was a fire hose wrapped around his body. He was holding the nose right at his crotch to cover himself, and I’d never seen anything hotter.

“Yeah.”

“I can’t believe you did this, Carter. Thank you. And just so you know, I’m getting five of these. Actually, make that a hundred. And everyone who comes to the clinic for a checkup over the next month will get one for free.”

“Thanks, Molly.”

“It’s for a very good cause.”

“They’re here.” Jo’s father came rushing toward us and we took our spots by the water, Carter on Nick’s side and me on Jo’s. In the center, a few feet away from the water, was a floral arch with flowing fabric at the sides. Chairs were lined up, creating a pathway through the middle. Our families – in fact, the entire town – stood up, waiting. The beach fell quiet as we watched their heads slowly appear from beyond the small hill separating the beach and the parking lot.

Jo stopped, surprised. I watched as Nick got down on one knee and Jo accepted his proposal before the family of three walked down the aisle toward us. Fate got it so right with those two. Maybe good had a way of winning over evil after all. For the first time in my life, as I looked to what was right in front of me, my family and friends, as well as my bestest friend in the world, Carter, I believed that life would work out, even if it threw a few curve balls in between.

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