Page 27 of Dare to Fall
“And we can still travel.”
“We can?”
“Of course we can. But I want to be upfront with you. I have no interest in jobs that take me away from Cinnamon Creek for weeks or months at a time. So if that’s going to be a deal breaker?—”
“It’s not,” I say, a smile stretching my cheeks as I crawl onto his laps, straddling his thighs.
“You’re sure?”
“I’m sure, Tucker.” I press my body into his as I capture his lips. “I have one more confession.”
“Oh?”
“Yeah.” I kiss him again, almost forgetting what I’m about to say when he slides a hand up the back of my shirt, unhooking my bra.
“You were saying?” he says.
“I love you. In case that part wasn’t clear.”
“It wasn’t.” He moves a hand beneath my loose bra, cupping a breast. “Maybe you should say it again.”
“I love you, Tucker Black.”
“That’s nice.”
“That’snice?”
“It’s very nice,” he clarifies. “It’s just not as much as I’ve always loved you.”
Epilogue
About a year later…
Gabby
“I cannotget over this view,” Erin says for the fifth or sixth time since she arrived this morning to help me with my hair and makeup.
Tucker and I only just finished the construction on the cabin a couple of weeks ago, and there hasn’t been time to host a housewarming party. We figured a wedding was as good an opportunity as any. Until the reception later, however, my living room’s been turned into a bridal suite.
“You’re hosting book club from here on out,” Devin declares, sipping on a mimosa. Our friendship has only grown this past year in Cinnamon Creek.
Erin was right. My family—myrealfamily—is all here. Now that I’ve experienced what true belonging feels like, I can’t imagine ever leaving for more than a short vacation. Cinnamon Creek is my forever home.
“I second that,” Alanna says, plopping down on a chair nearby, a drink in her hand. I didn’t see the two of us becoming good friends, but once she got good and laid—and married—Alanna’s been a lot more fun to be around.
“I’m so happy for you,” Stormi says as Erin pins my freshly curled hair into place. “I always knew you and Tucker would end up together.”
“You did not.”
“Oh come on. Weallknew that,” Erin says, clapping her hands together. “Okay, look in the mirror and tell me what you think.”
I stand in front of the full-length mirror Alanna drug into the living room and stare at myself in disbelief. My hair is pinned halfway up, the other half cascades down my back in loose curls, and my makeup is sheer seductress perfection. I’m rarely in a dress, much less one that fits like a beaded, sparkly glove. I can’t wait for Tucker to see me. A thrill races through me, settling right in my core as I imagine the heated look in his eyes.
“You did good,” I tell Erin.
“There’s something missing,” Devin says, as though in contemplation.
“What?”
