Page 172 of Role Play
“The end,” he whispers.
epilogue
Sora
Kitchen sink cookies. Papa Beans. The same table where my life fell apart and somehow began to rebuild itself all at once.
Five months after the mediation, and almost a year since that fateful meeting with Dane Spellman, I find myself back in the cozy coffeehouse, two kitchen sink cookies balanced precariously on a small plate as I weave through the crowded tables.
“I can’t believe our luck,” I announce, setting the plate down in front of Forrest. “Last two cookies in the case. And not a crying kiddo in sight.”
Forrest’s smile—the one that still makes my heart skip a beat despite seeing it every day—spreads across his face. “Does this mean we’re having a lucky day?”
“I think so.” I slide into the chair across from him, the same one where Dane Spellman delivered his brutal rejection. “Last time I snagged the final kitchen sink cookie here, I met you.”
“Best day of my life,” Forrest says with such sincerity, I can’t help but blush.
“Really? Because I think I called you an asshole,” I muse.
“It might’ve been deserved,” he says, laughing, breaking a piece off our dessert and popping it in his mouth. “Mm, yours are better.”
So much feels familiar. The same barista, April, still works behind the counter, still chews gum too loudly, still pretended not to see me at the counter, and I had to remind her twice I was waiting on my cookies. It’s the same murmur of conversation filling the space, punctuated by the hiss of the espresso machine.
But I am not the same Sora who walked in here late last summer, desperate for validation, clinging to a meeting with an agent who couldn’t be bothered to show up on time. That Sora feels like a distant relative—someone I know well but haven’t seen in years.
“You’re thinking deep thoughts,” Forrest observes, reaching across the table to brush a stray hair from my face. “Care to share?”
“Just reflecting on everything that’s happened since I first walked in here.” I capture his hand, pressing a kiss to his palm. “It’s kind of funny to be back here, once again meeting with an agent.”
“An agent?” Forrest asks, mock-offended. “I preferboyfriend,orlove of your life, or I’ll even settle forSora’s sexy cowboy. ‘Agent’ feels like a demotion.”
I flutter my eyelashes at him, before taking a giant bite of cookie.He’s right.Mine are better. Maybe my days of chasing kitchen sink cookies for luck is over, especially when I have all the luck I need right in front of me. “Okay, my sexy cowboy.”
“Thank you. That’s all I ask.” He pushes our plate aside. “Are you all packed for Wyoming?” he asks, the teasing glint in his eye softening to something more tender.
“Almost. I just have a few more things to go through.” I take a sip of my latte—caramel with extra whipped cream, exactly howI like it. No more trying to impress anyone with sophisticated coffee orders.
Forrest lifts his brows. “Translation? You haven’t even started yet, have you?”
“Nope,” I admit, flashing him a toothy grin. “Don’t worry, I’ll be all set by tomorrow, promise.”
The decision to spend summer in Wyoming was simple. Even Hannah’s blessing, which we thought we’d have to wrestle out of her like an unruly alligator, came easily. She’s traveling this summer, with a new boyfriend, even richer than Henry apparently, because some things don’t change. But at least the new guy loves kids. He and Forrest get along well enough.
“Dad’s excited. He bought Dakota a pink fishing pole. Let’s see how that goes,” Forrest says with a scoff.
“What do you mean?”
“Picture Dakota’s face with a slimy, wet fish flopping around in her hands. She’s been to the ranchonce.My baby girl is still a little prissy.”
“Well, we have a summer to fix that, don’t we?”
“Should we get you a pole? Are you going to fish?” Forrest asks.
“Ew, gross. Picturemyface with a wet, slimy fish flopping around in my hands.No, thanks.”
Forrest barks out a laugh. “Okay, city girl. One summer to fix you, too.”
“Spare me the trout, but I’ll be your dutiful helper with the barn house. I bought some thick work gloves so I will be splinter-free all summer.”
