Page 108 of Knot the Last Chapter

Seven months ago, I was running from the storm—both literal and emotional. Now, I’m surrounded by warmth and community and… family.

And I’m about to speak.

My palms are sweating, my stomach turning, and it’s not just the baby kicking low against my ribs. It’s nerves. Real, soul-deep nerves. The kind that make me want to crawl behind one of the mystery shelves and hide.

“Hey.” Tyler’s hand brushes mine, grounding me. He leans in close, warm breath at my ear. “You’ve got this. You’ve written harder chapters than this one.”

I smile up at him despite the jitters.

Rhys appears at my other side, holding a tiny thermos. “Ginger tea. It’ll help with the nausea. And nerves.”

Behind him, Corwyn is already mingling with the guests, passing out signed bookmarks and nudging people gently toward the snack table. He catches my eye and mouths,Breathe.

I inhale slowly.

“I don’t want to mess up,” I murmur. “It’s my first real reading.”

Rhys kisses the top of my head. “It’s your story. No one can tell it better.”

Tyler adds, “Besides, if anyone doesn’t love it, we’ll toss them out.”

Corwyn returns just in time to say, “Politely. With tea and scones.”

They’re ridiculous. And they’re perfect.

The lights dim slightly as the event organizer waves for me to take the little platform at the front of the shop. I walk forward on shaky legs, one hand at the small of my back, the other holding my marked-up copy.

The moment I start to read, the nerves settle.

It’s not that I forget they’re there—it’s that the story takes over. My voice finds its rhythm, and the world of Lark Vale unfurls around me like mist rolling through the trees. The crowd listens. They laugh in the right places. I even see a few eyes welling up near the end.

When I close the book, they erupt in applause.

I catch Tyler’s eyes first. He’s beaming. Rhys whistles low and proud, and Corwyn gives a subtle bow from behind the signing table, where he’s already organizing my signing pens.

But before I can step down—

My stomach tightens.

Hard.

Then again.

Oh no.

I freeze for half a heartbeat, then carefully hand the book to the organizer.

“Excuse me,” I say softly, but Tyler is already moving. He’s at my side before I can blink.

“Everything okay?”

“I think…” I wince, gripping his arm. “I think the baby liked the reading too much.”

Rhys and Corwyn are beside me in an instant, like a unit snapping into place. Their hands are gentle, their voices low and steady, but there’s an undeniable edge of now in their movements.

“Hospital bag’s in the car,” Rhys says.

“I’ll get it,” Corwyn replies, already jogging toward the exit.

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