Page 36 of The Last Love Story
“You’re writing your own love story,” Kennedy says. “And youdeserve that. Also, you should totally write an actual story based on this one day.”
I laugh to myself. “We’ll see how this plays out first.”
Kennedy meets my eyes. “It’s going to be perfect.”
“What time is this happening?” Devon asks.
“Uh, just under two hours. Why?”
“I want to be sure we have time to call Gladys and my parents so we can all be on a video call to watch.”
Emotion swells in my chest, and for a second, it’s hard to talk. Dev’s parents have always treated me like a second son, and Gladys, who has run Devon’s family’s inn for most of his life, has always been a mix of mom and aunt to me.
“Thank you.”
“I wish I was there to hug you,” Kennedy says.
“Well, you’ll have to come out and visit. Did I mention she lives twenty minutes from Frannie?”
“Almost like it was meant to be,” Devon says knowingly.
“Hey, you remember what you told me when you were here visiting? That I was happier here in Brighton than you’d ever seen me?” Kennedy asks. I nod, and she smiles. “You’re happier than I’ve ever seen you.”
“Thanks, Kend.”
There’s a knock on the door, and I glance over at it. Standing up, I bring my tablet with me. Hopefully it’s not Jade changing her mind or Zoey or Trish coming to tell me she ran off.
Breathe.
I swing the door open and find a man who looks familiar, but I can’t place why.
“Hi. Can I help you?”
“You’re Justin Ayers?”
And something about the sound of his voice and the look in his eyes tells me exactly who it is.
I look back down at the tablet to see Kennedy and Devon staring back at me questioningly. “Guys, I’ve gotta go.”
I’m standingin the hallway, waiting anxiously for Jade. The little chapel is set up perfectly, and I really hope she’s going to love it. Zoey and Trish are already inside, along with the minister.
Devon, Kennedy, Gladys, and Devon’s parents are all at the inn, ready to watch this on the large TV in the ballroom. Their support means more to me than anything my parents could ever give me.
I already know my folks are going to be pissed and they’ll guilt trip me six ways from Sunday, but I don’t need their approval. I paid my landlord an extra month’s rent for him to relabel all my boxes and be there when the shipping company comes to pick them up, so I don’t have to bother going home.
Not home. Not anymore.
I’m almost afraid to hope that Woods Junction will feel like home, but I’m optimistic. I’m always optimistic. It’s what gets me through life. But acknowledging how badly I want this is risking my heart getting crushed.
I never thought I could be sure of something so quickly, but I’m sure about Jade, and I know this is the path I’m meant to be on.
The sound of footsteps makes me look up, and when I do, my breath sticks in my lungs. There, walking down the hallway, is Jade looking utterly breathtaking in a short tank top dress with a flared tulle bottom. Her hair is swept back into a low bun with side braids, wispy strands framing her face, and she’s smiling. It’s a soft, comfortable smile that makes my heart race.
“Hi, almost-hubby.”
“Hi. You are… stunning. Captivating. Mesmerizing. I need more synonyms because those don’t do you justice.”
She laughs a little. “Thank you. You look very handsome.”
