Before I can press Lila more on her newest love interest, my phone buzzes with an incoming message from Ava.
Ava:Hi, I am running late! There was a deer standing in the middle of the road, and I didn’t know what to do. Luckily, this guy showed up and ushered the deer off the road. It was kind of wild.
Me:Yeah, the wildlife here is definitely not scared of us. Do you know who helped you? And no worries about being late. Eli said he’ll be here around 7pm. I’ll leave the back door open so you can come through the back.
Ava:Perfect! You’re amazing. And I don’t know, I tried to say “Thank you” and get his name, but he just grunted at me and got back in his truck. He was pretty hot, in a grumpy kind of way, but maybe that’s my vagina talking. That bitch is always thirsty over red flag men.
Stifling a laugh, I angle my body away from Aiden so he doesn’t question who I’m talking to. I don’t think he would appreciate talking about his sister’s sexual needs.
Me:LOL, you’re killing me. I’ll introduce you to some locals while you’re in town. Maybe a holiday distraction is what you need to break out of your funk.
Ava:I’ll hold you to it! I’ll see you soon.
I pocket my phone and join my best friends in finishing up the floral arrangement.
Ava and I quickly became friends after bonding over a dark mafia series we’d both been reading. She’s kind, caring, and fiercely loyal to the people she loves—and I’m lucky she considers me one of them. Even if Aiden and I go our separate ways one day, I know Ava and I will always
be friends.
At a quarter till six, all our friends and families start trickling in. First, my grandparents, parents, followed by Eli’s parents, then Dee Dee and Pop, and their son, Everett.
“They’re walking down Main Street.” Aiden’s voice rises over the chatter of excitement.
Walking over to Aiden’s side, I spot Ava hustling through the back hallway before abruptly stopping. I follow her line of sight and land on Everett—interesting.
I turn back to Aiden, sliding my arm around his, excitement bubbling over. I’m grinning ear to ear, still in disbelief that a fake kidnapping led me to him.
Turns out, I didn’t just get tied up that morning.
I got tied up for love.
21
Epilogue: Aiden
I blink awake to sunlight spilling across soft sheets and the faint whiff of cinnamon rolls drifting in from the kitchen. My stomach grumbles to life. Charlie must be up early, testing another new recipe. Of course she is. Six months after opening her bakery in the heart of Main Street, she’s already been featured in more magazines than I can count.
I still can’t believe our little “mishap” led me to her. She’s the piece I didn’t know I was missing—steady, grounding, endlessly understanding about my long shifts and late nights. Always checking in, reminding me to eat, to breathe, and to rest. I make it a point to visit her and Everly Falls as often as I can. I even started looking into clinic openings here for when I finish my program. She’sthriving here, and this town, it’s beginning to feel like home for us.
I glance around her cozy bedroom, sunlight slanting across the picture of Charlie, Jake, and I at her grand opening. She’s smiling ear to ear as she cuts the ribbon. I couldn’t be prouder, and I’m grateful to have this weekend off from my residency to soak up some time with her.
I whistle for my little furball, Jake, but I hear no sign of him in the apartment. Typical. You’d think Charlie was the one who adopted him, considering he only comes to me when he needs something—a potty break, treats, or belly rubs. I’m pretty much the spare human to him. It doesn’t help that Mrs. Bennett spoils him every time he’s in town. She always has a fresh bag of treats or another ridiculous seasonal outfit. Honestly, he’s got a better wardrobe than I do.
The door creaks open and Charlie steps in, cheeks flushed from the morning chill. Jake’s tucked in her arm like a football. “Morning,” she says softly, brushing a few strands of hair from her face. “We took a walk before breakfast.”
I sit up, smiling as I motion her closer. She puts Jake down, and he scurries into the kitchen. Five dollars says she left him a peanut butter-filled Kong toy there. When she settles beside me, I pull her into my arms, right whereshe belongs. I squeeze her tight, inhaling her sweet vanilla scent. “Good morning, princess. How was your walk?”
“It was nice. We ran into Mrs. Whittaker. She said her grandson’s moving back to town.”
“He’s the one that hasn’t been back in a while, right?”
“Yep, almost six years now,” she says with a grin. “He was Jade’s high school sweetheart. They didn’t end on good terms. If you’re okay with sharing me for a few hours, I want to check in with her after breakfast before our weekend festivities.”
I chuckle, nuzzling into her neck. “You know I would never share you willingly but I know how important this is to you. Jake and I will head to the dog park while we wait.”
She hums, tilting her head slightly, letting my lips brush the edge of her jaw. “Someone has been working on his bedside manner.”
I laugh softly. “Only for you.”
