Page 164 of The Future Play

“Come on,” Corey says.

Dec scoops up the grounder and sends it to second as we all watch.

When we see the umpire’s call, we all burst from the dugout.

Holy shit. The Metros are moving on to the division series.

The other team leaves the field as we all join together near the mound, celebrating.

Over my teammates’ shoulders, I see Amanda in a crowd of a bunch of other family members waiting at the gate. When security finally lets them through, we all break apart, and I soak it all in as Amanda runs across the field to me and leaps into my arms.

“You did it!”

Her lips land hard on mine before I can respond, the forcefulness of it almost knocking me over.

Laughing, I set her down, cupping her cheek with my hand.

“Were you panicking watching the end of the game?”

She lets out an exasperated breath. “Of course I was. I wanted you to get the win. You deserve this moment.”

I sweep her into my arms, holding her close as joy fills me. Not the high of the moment, but pure unyielding happiness at where I am right now.

Every step I made along the way was a play for my future. Not just standing here tonight, but standing here with Amanda in my arms. This is all part of the life we’re building together, and I can’t wait to see where it leads.

EPILOGUE

TWO YEARS LATER

Amanda

“Last one. Perfect,”Hyla says, pulling the curling iron from my hair and stepping back.

My makeup is done. My hair is done. Now it’s time to put on my wedding dress.

“Who’s going to help me into this?” I ask with a laugh.

It looks tighter than it actually is on me, but getting everything settled just right is a challenge. It’s my fault for choosing a strapless dress, but this one spoke to me.

After planning plenty of weddings, the last thing I wanted to wear was a traditional white dress. When I saw this luscious red velvet one, I knew immediately it had to be mine.

I’m in one of the spare bedrooms in Rae and Aaron’s beautiful farmhouse, and surrounded by our closest friends and family, we’ll be getting married downstairs in their living room.

Another thing I didn’t want—a big wedding. Partly because of the press, but mostly because I want to celebrate the love Jamie and I share. That’s all that matters to me. Quiet and simple is what we both crave when it comes to our relationship, especially during the off-seasonwhen we can slow down.

In a few days, it’ll be five years since we met at a little Christmas party in downtown Ida. Now we’re out in the country, surrounded by beautiful rolling hills. Our dream house is being built just around the corner, and we’ve entered into one of the most peaceful stages in our life.

Jamie is doing well with the Metros, and we’ve settled into a good groove during the season. I split time between New York City and Ida, and only travel for select games where he’ll be pitching—and usually not for the full road trip. Once I finished college, my business exploded. Near our hometowns, I’m typically planning weddings and occasional charity events. Down in the city, I’m often planning fundraisers and galas, though I’ve planned a couple of weddings too.

Jace, who is now not only my best friend, but my sister-in-law, comes over to help me with the dress, along with Mackenzie. The room is filled with the women I love, Rae, Sarah, Chelsea, Dani, and Hyla, plus one more addition to the girl gang—Amelia, Miles’s wife. Our tribe has grown and blossomed since I first met the girls, and there are some tiny new additions either here or on the way.

My heart fills with joy as I glance at Sarah’s round stomach, and then around the room at the women who have loved me to my very core and chosen me over and over again. It was sometimes hard to see the unconditional love in my life, but with them, it has always been vibrant.

As one of the last of the friend group to get married, I’m honored to have them all here with me, and grateful to have them supporting me every day.

“Ready?”my dad asks as we stand in Rae and Aaron’s kitchen, waiting for the music to start.

“So ready.”

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