Page 108 of Four Steps to the Perfect Fake Date

“This island,” Daphne said, shaking her head.

Calvin laughed. His hand slid over Daphne’s thigh, thumb stroking along her leg as his eyes softened. “You want to go home?”

Daphne’s heart thumped. She could get used to Calvin Flint looking at her like that, asking her that exact question. “Yes,” she told him.

He didn’t move from his position, his thumb caressing her thigh once more. “You want to move in with me?”

There was only one way to answer that question. As a bright smile bloomed over Daphne’s lips, she reached over to curl her hand around the nape of his neck. “Yes,” she said. “I definitely do.”

“Good,” Calvin said, and he kissed her so thoroughly she knew that when they got home, there wouldn’t be any sleep happening for a long, long while.

Epilogue

Nine years later . . .

Daphne’s hands were sore from clapping as she watched Ceecee cross the stage for her high school graduation. Beside her, Calvin let out a sharp whistle to add to the ruckus. He grinned when Ceecee glanced over at them, her cheeks red and her eyes shining. She threw them a little wave, then accepted her diploma.

“I’m so proud I could burst,” Eileen said, leaning her head on her husband’s shoulder.

Daphne slid her hand in Calvin’s elbow as they took their seats again to watch the last few graduates accept their diplomas. When the ceremony finally ended, the audience filed out into the June sunshine outside, clumping in small groups to wait for the graduates and staff to emerge once they’d returned their gowns.

Calvin did his usual routine of shaking hands and acting like the competent, respected sheriff he was. Daphne watched him as she waited for Ceecee to appear, her love for him still managing to grow every day. Sunlight gilded his dark hair, now dotted with more silver, and his eyes crinkled at the edges when he smiled. Last year, he’d won his third election and continued to serve as sheriff of Fernley County. He’d grown into the position over the years, dutiful and fair, and it was hard to imagine anyone else leading them the way Calvin did.

Daphne had built a small but loyal client base for her own accounting business. She hadn’t sat in a cubicle—gray or any other color—in over a decade. She’d embraced the relative instability of running her own company, and had been rewarded with a flexible schedule and a steady, growing income. The chaos that happened after her arrival on Fernley Island taught her that chasing stability could include some risks—as long as she stayed honest with herself and the people she loved. She hadn’t lied to Calvin about anything since the pot.

Archie Jr. had been convicted and spent nearly two years in prison. He moved away from Fernley, and contact between him and his father had dwindled over the years. Ceecee once told Daphne that she’d lost one brother but gained a better one in the process. Their family had ragged edges and complicated relationships, just like any other. Daphne figured she fit in just fine.

Jenna Deacon had cut a deal with the state and gotten away without any prison time. When Romano’s folded shortly after the unraveling of Archie’s schemes, she’d left the island too.

“Will the kids be joining us for the barbecue?” Eileen asked, drawing Daphne’s gaze. The kids had arrived not long after Daphne and Calvin had tied the knot.

“Of course,” Daphne replied with a smile. “I’ll text my parents to let them know we’re heading to your place soon.”

Calvin shook one last hand and crossed toward them. He slid his hand across Daphne’s shoulders and tucked her against his chest, lips pressing a soft kiss to her temple. Daphne leaned against him, soaking in the quiet peace his arms provided.

“How are you feeling about Ceecee taking off for college in the fall, Mom?” Calvin asked as Ceecee emerged.

“I’m so proud of her,” Eileen said.

“She’s heartbroken,” Archie Sr. corrected.

When Daphne and Calvin laughed, Eileen clicked her tongue. “Just you wait until your youngest takes off,” she chided.

Ceecee barreled into them, throwing her arms around her parents before moving to hug Daphne and Calvin. “Thank you for coming!”

“Wouldn’t miss it for the world, kid,” Calvin said, squeezing her shoulders. “I’m proud of you.”

Ceecee beamed at him. She was a gorgeous girl with long brown hair who had never lost the limitless energy that drove her. She was an accomplished dancer and the valedictorian of her graduating class. She’d had her pick of colleges, and chose to stay relatively close to home by committing to the University of Washington. She had a bright future ahead of her. Daphne had watched her relationship with Calvin deepen over the years, and it had made the decision to have children with him that much easier.

The kind, loving competence with which he approached his job was amplified at home. Even now, when he threaded his fingers through Daphne’s and tugged her toward the car, she knew he was looking forward to being reunited with their two little ones.

They piled into their cars and drove to the beautiful A-frame house where Archie Sr., Eileen, and Ceecee still lived. The gardens had grown over the years, and in the summer, they looked like a woodland dream. Her parents were already waiting outside the house. Helen was inspecting flowers with Caroline, their four-year-old, and Claude had Benji, their six-year-old, thrown over his shoulder.

“Got a potato delivery,” Claude announced as Daphne and Calvin approached. “Where should I drop them?”

Benji squealed. “I’m not potatoes!”

“Hmm. How fresh are they?” Calvin asked, squeezing Benji’s arms and sides until the little boy squealed and squirmed his way out of his grandfather’s arms.

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