Page 70 of The Last Key
“Still more memories to be made doing that.”
“Definitely. I’m so happy you’re here, that you’re staying. I feel like a kid on Christmas who got everything he wanted.”
“Same,” she breathes.
I hold her closer, feeling every sensation—how her weight shifts as she sways to the song, the way her chest touches mine as she breathes in, and how her breath tickles my neck when she breathes out. I take it all in, grateful and still in disbelief that she’s in my arms. I’m going to revel in this feeling for as long as I can, because I never dreamed I’d get this lucky.
EPILOGUE
KENNEDY
Three Months Later
They werea generation promised that they could have it all if they worked hard, but somewhere between that promise being made and their generation coming of age, the world changed. That promise was null and void as they hit adulthood and were left working long hours for little pay with crushing student loan debt piling up.
I lean back in my chair, flexing and stretching my fingers as I reread what I’ve written. I recently pitched an article about careers, housing, finance, and lifestyle through the mid-1900s and early 2000s. It’s been interesting so far, seeing how things have changed, especially the outlook on jobs and careers and what each generation values, and how the meaning of “hard work” has changed.
Millenials, as I wrote in my last paragraph, got the shit end of the stick. At least as Gen Z, we knew it was going to suck for us. Millenials still had hope.
I stand up from my chair and stretch, looking around the office. Before I moved in, it was a collection of boxes, scattered exercise equipment, and a small desk. Now the boxes are gone—what was inside them all sorted and organized in different places throughout the house. The exercise equipment is settled in one corner, and in the other corner, I have Sharon’s old sewing table, which I’ve turned into a desk. I also bought an insanely comfortable chair, because I spend a fair amount of my time working in here.
After trying it out for a few weeks, I ended up loving running events at the inn. It turns out that’s a great fit for me. Devon quickly put together an event coordinator position for me. It’s still only part time because other than weddings and occasional local events, there’s not much else going on. I’m hoping to increase the number of weddings held there over the coming year, so Devon and I have been working together to create a strong social media presence to drive people toward the inn. So far, it’s been working.
I also pushed past the fears I had about pitching ideas to bigger online magazines and websites, and had a few accepted. This is my second big piece, and I’m really excited about it. In addition to those two things, I’ve still been volunteering at the library and helping Claire plan events at Bloom Beauty here and there. None of it is how I saw my career going, but I love it this way. I get to do all the things I enjoy without any of them burning me out, and I’m still making a living. But if my research for the article has taught me anything, it’s that Gen Z likes to buck tradition—and often authority—when it comes to college and careers.
The doorbell rings, and I take that as a sign to take a break. My eyes were starting to feel fuzzy, and I’m already ahead of my word count goal for this week, anyway.
After turning off my computer, I head downstairs and open the door. The mail truck is down the road and there’s a box on the porch. I excitedly drag it inside and take it into the living room before tearing it open.
What I see makes me smile. A bunch of signed books from indie author Jade Jackson. After reading all her books over the course of a couple of weeks, Justin slid into her DMs and they’ve had a whirlwind love story ever since. She and Justin both signed copies of one of her books—which they’re working together to narrate—for the book club. There’s a sticky note on one with my name on it.
I open it and look at the title page.
Kend,
Here’s to falling in love with your best friend. We picked this one just for you.
Love ya,
Justin
Below it is another signature from Jade.
Kennedy,
Can’t wait till I get to meet you in person. Hope your book club loves this one. (And doesn’t hate the cliffhanger! I promise to send the next if they want it.)
See you soon.
XO
Jade
I laugh at that. Justin and Jade will be coming out here for a visit in a couple of weeks when they have a reader event in the area. Though we’ve talked over text and video, I’m excited to finally meet Jade in person, especially since she’s already met everyone else in our friend group. Frannie only lives a couple oftowns over from her, and apparently Jade is a huge bandits fan, so Justin took her to a game.
“Hey, babe?” Devon calls through the back door. He’s been working in the backyard all morning. We’re so domesticated. I love it.
“Yeah?” I call, setting the book down and walking down the hall toward the kitchen.
