Page 86 of Lucky in Love
“Oh, my gosh. I forgot to ask about your mom. How is she?”
“Better every day,” Brody said. “I hired a nurse to do all the hard stuff. I’ve just been keeping her company, cooking, and running errands. I’ll have to split my time between here andthere for a while, but she was adamant that I come fix things with you as soon as I could.”
“I’m glad she’s feeling better. Hey, you wanna see something funny?” she whispered.
“I think I know where this is going.” He chuckled as she tiptoed to the door, throwing it open suddenly and watching her friends tumble into the room.
“Hah. That’s what you get for keeping secrets from me,” Alex said.
They ignored her complaint and engulfed her in hugs. Faith went to the kitchen and came back with two bottles of champagne and glasses.
“To Holly’s bun in the oven,” Tess said, raising her glass. “And to Alex’s lucky streak now extending to love.”
They celebrated long into the night, and afterward, Alex took Brody home for their own celebration. Christmas had come early, bringing her the man of her dreams, and she wasn’t about to return this gift.
EPILOGUE—Four months later
Alex couldn’t believe it was April already. Four months since getting together with Brody, and they were still going strong. Being in love was a lot easier than she thought it would be.
In January, Brody purchased a house on five wooded acres. He spent his days working there and his nights wherever Alex was. His vlogs gained in popularity every day, and advertisers lined up to pour money into his channel. He’d started traveling again, but with a much lighter schedule—one week, sometimes less, of each month. His first book would be released in December.
After Brody’s commercial and follow-up vlog, the waiting list for Whispering Pines was over a year long. Alex had been able to raise the rents to cover the losses from the previous fall and the costs associated with upgrading all the cabins. To get ready for the summer, she purchased bicycles, paddle boards, and more canoes, laid the foundation for half a basketball court, and made plans for a second rec cabin.
She gave Lauren a raise and left her in charge whenever she traveled with Brody. Which was often. They’d already been to wine country in Italy, stayed at a beautiful beach resort in Fiji, and taken an Alaskan cruise.
Pops told her that Blossom had been green with envy to learn Alex was seeing the world, but Alex took no joy in one-upping her mom. In fact, she’d reached out to try and smooth over their relationship, but Blossom hadn’t been receptive. Yet.
Violet came to visit often. She and Pops had become fast friends, and she was even talking about moving to Green Valley Falls.
Daisy survived the winter and seemed overjoyed when her flock migrated back.
Holly was due in May, and as a last hurrah before the baby came, they planned a trip to Boston. Maddie even flew in for the weekend, completing their sextuplet.
Nick, Brody, and Cole did their own thing while Alex and her girls shopped and got pedicures. They met the men for dinner and then headed to TD Garden for one of the last regular-season Celtics games.
Their crew took up an entire row. Brody had been weirdly adamant that he and Alex sit by the aisle. She acquiesced without giving it much thought, figuring he just wanted easy access to get in and out.
At halftime, Ken—the same announcer who’d run the three-point contest several months prior—took to the microphone.
“We got a little somethin’ different to kick off tonight’s halftime entertainment,” he said. “One lucky fan will be chosen at random from the audience for the chance to win a special prize.”
“I don’t know, Alex,” Tess said. “Getting picked twice seems unlikely, even for you.”
“Fine with me,” Alex said. “I’d rather go out on top anyway.”
“All right, we’re looking for section twelve…” Ken said.
“So far, so good,” Faith said.
“…Row ten…”
“That’s us too,” Maddie said.
“…Seat number…two!” Ken finished dramatically.
Alex was intently focused on the tray of nachos in her lap and only half listening.
“Alex!” Juliet said. “What seat are you in? I think it’s you again.”
