Page 102 of The Wish List
“You wish,” Beth told the girl with a laugh. “Speaking of wishes, our family has enjoyed a number of them coming true recently.”
She saw Trinity squeeze their mother’s shoulder, Thomas serenely cradled in his grandma’s loving arms.
“Tonight, we’re here to celebrate one particular piece of good news for my sister, the soon-to-be-published author.”
Freya stood and made an elaborate curtsy, her delicate features alight with so much joy it made Beth’s heart pinch with gratitude.
When Freya had texted Beth, Trinity and May earlier that day to share the news that her debut novel had been acquired by one of the largest and most well-respected New York publishing houses, there had been no question about planning an immediate celebration.
If the incident with Dave Conklin had taught them all one thing, it was that time was both precious and priceless, and they shouldn’t waste it when no one had a guarantee what might happen next. It was a lesson that had started with their mother’s stroke and the changes it brought to their lives—the best of which was their family reuniting after so many years of estrangement.
Beth and her sisters had what now felt like an unbreakable thread stitched across their hearts, tying them to each other as well as their mom. Unbreakable because the holiday season together had shown them the value of reinforcing their connection to make it grow stronger.
“We’re proud of you, Frey,” Beth said, clearing her throat when emotion bubbled up inside her. “You deserve every accolade—”
“And advance dollar,” Freya added with a brief happy dance.
“Every accolade and that big advance,” Beth amended. “I hope this is the first of many opportunities we have to celebrate your new career.”
“Look out, Garrett,” Greer said from where he stood next to the buffet table. He pointed a mozzarella stick in the direction of the famous author. “My Freya will give you a run for your money on the bestseller list.”
“I hope so,” Garrett agreed and held up his glass in salute. “To Freya Carlyle’s impending chart domination.”
Everyone raised a glass to toast Freya, who met Beth’s gaze with a mouthedthank you.
“This was nice,” Declan said as he slipped an arm around Beth’s waist. “You did a good job, sweetheart.”
“I hate public speaking.” Beth turned into his embrace, wondering if the spicy, clean scent of her beloved would ever stop eliciting a tingle along her spine. She hoped not.
“You’re a natural,” he assured her. “Personally, I don’t think there’s anything you can’t accomplish.”
“Definitely nothing we can’t manage together,” she answered and placed a kiss on the underside of his jaw. “Do you need to get back to the bar?”
He sighed. “Probably. I’ll try not to wake you when I come in later.”
“Please do wake me,” she told him. “It’s the one bonus I see to your late nights.”
“You have a test on Monday,” he said but drew her closer. “You need a good night’s rest so you can spend tomorrow cracking the books.”
“That’s why they invented coffee.” She kissed him again. “You’re worth losing sleep over, Mr. Murphy.”
“Then I’ll be sure to make it worth your while.” After another lingering kiss, he released her and headed for the door.
“If I weren’t so happy for the two of you, I’d be equally nauseous and jealous over your adorableness as a couple.”
Beth tried to hide her blissful grin as she turned to Shauna. “You brought us together in a way, so at least you can take credit.”
“Ah, yes.” Shauna popped a stuffed mushroom into her mouth. “I can live vicariously and all that. How’s school going?”
“It’s amazing. I don’t know why I didn’t think about doing the remote program from the start.”
“Because you were trying to run away from home,” Shauna reminded her.
“Right.” Beth wrinkled her nose. “It was a good plan but allowing myself to be happy here is an even better one.”
She might have wished she’d had that epiphany before causing both Declan and herself so much pain but at least she could take comfort in the fact that she’d realized it before it was too late.
It had taken a superficial knife wound to give her instant clarity and the understanding that no dream was worth having if it meant losing the man she loved with her whole heart.
