Page 126 of The Secrets We Built Together

"It's... going," I said, not sure how to explain the tornado of creativity that had overtaken me these past few months. After so long struggling to create anything, it was like a dam had broken. "I've finished most of the pieces I need. Just a few more to go."

"She's being modest," Xander said, pride evident in his voice. "Her work is incredible. The gallery owner was blown away when she saw the first few pieces Blake submitted."

I felt my cheeks flush at the praise. "It's different from what I used to do," I admitted. "It's more... personal, I guess. But it feels right."

"I can't wait to see it," Reece said sincerely.

"You're all invited to the opening, obviously," I said. "I'm going to need the moral support."

"We wouldn't miss it," Booker assured me.

As conversations continued around the table, I felt Xander's arm slip around my shoulders, his fingers tracing light patterns on my arm. I leaned into him, Amelia still sleeping peacefully against my chest.

"Happy?" he murmured, his breath warm against my ear.

"Deliriously," I whispered back, tipping my face up to look at him. "Are you?"

"More than I ever thought possible." His eyes searched my face, and the love I saw there made my heart ache in the best way. "You know, when I first came back to Willowbrook, I thought it was just a temporary stop. Somewhere to lick my wounds before figuring out what came next."

"And now?"

His smile was soft, intimate. "Now I know exactly what's next, and it's right here. With you. With Amelia. With all of this."

"You're going to make me cry," I warned, blinking rapidly. "And then everyone will stare, and it'll be embarrassing."

He chuckled, pressing a kiss to my temple. "Can't have that. Save the tears for the wedding."

"Speaking of which," Reece interjected, clearly having been eavesdropping, "we need to talk about dresses. I saw the most gorgeous mermaid silhouette online that would look amazing on you, Blake."

"Here we go," Xander murmured, and I stifled a laugh.

Reece launched into an enthusiastic description of various wedding dress styles, with Delaney and surprisingly Dex chiming in with their own opinions. Trace and Booker began debating the merits of different cake flavors, while Cade tried to convince everyone that a chocolate fountain was an absolute necessity.

Jasper, sitting quietly at the end of the table, caught my eye and smiled—a genuine, warm smile that reached his eyes. I smiled back, feeling a sense of completion. We all had our wounds, our complicated histories, but we were healing. Together.

The ringing of a phone cut through the chatter, and Xander dug into his pocket with a frown. "That's weird," he muttered, looking at the screen. "It's an out-of-state number."

He stood, excusing himself as he answered. "Hello?"

I watched as he moved a few steps away, his back to us as he listened to whoever was on the other end. Something in the stiffness of his shoulders made my stomach tighten.

Gradually, conversations around the table died down as everyone noticed Xander's silence, the tension in his posture. Even Amelia seemed to sense the shift in mood, stirring restlessly in my arms.

"Yes, I understand," Xander said, his voice tight. "I'll be there as soon as I can. Thank you for calling."

He hung up the phone and slowly turned to face us. The look on his face made my blood run cold.

"Xander?" I said, my voice barely above a whisper. "What is it?"

He looked around the table, his eyes finally settling on me, then shifted to Booker, Trace, and Jasper. "Gage has been in an accident."

Epilogue

One Year Later

Xander

Ileaned against the wall of the gallery, content to watch Blake move through the crowd, her pink hair a beacon I could spot from anywhere in the room. She glowed tonight, radiating a confidence I'd always known was there, even when she couldn't see it herself.

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