“Hey. How was—” Haley paused when she lifted her head, her eyes widening when she saw Morgan. Then her gaze dropped to our hands, and her eyes snapped back to mine with a massive grin. “No way…”
“What is it, sweet—” My mom paused when she turned, her eyes shifting between me and Morgan as a slow smile crept across her lips.
“You both know Morgan,” I said casually, fighting back a grin.
“Yeah!” Haley squealed, earning a chuckle from us both.
My mom was trying to tamp down her excitement as she approached the two of us. “Of course. It’s lovely to see you again.”
“You too,” Morgan replied. “I hope I’m not imposing.”
“Not at all,” she answered immediately before gesturing to the open stool at the counter. “Please, come and sit.”
Haley enthusiastically patted the top of the stool before grabbing the bottle of wine, and Morgan laughed, moving to sit beside her as my sister poured her a glass.
I met my mom’s gaze, and I couldn’t help but smile at the elated sparkle in her eyes as she grinned at me.
Because she knew exactly what me bringing Morgan tonight meant.
Epilogue
“This is so damn peaceful.”
Callie chuckled from the Adirondack chair beside me. “My favorite part is how serene it is.”
We were sitting on the back patio of her and Lucas’s newly finished modern farmhouse––I told her it was a farmhousemansion, considering it was nearly eight thousand square feet. It sat on a hilltop in an empty field and overlooked the abandoned beach by the old lighthouse, giving a picturesque view at sunset. The backyard was complete with an outdoor kitchengrill and bar in the entertainment area, a pulldown screen for movie nights, and an inground saltwater pool, just to name a few amenities.
Lucas, Blake, Gabe, and Wes were across the yard, standing around the custom-built fire pit near the hilltop's edge, talking over drinks.
“You realize this is going to be the new hangout spot, right? They’re never gonna wanna leave.”
Callie smiled. “That’s fine with us. We like having you all here.”
“Is everything ready for the rehearsal dinner tomorrow?”
“Yeah,” Callie answered with a grin. “Honestly, I’m ready for it to all be over after Saturday. Luke, too.”
“You just wanna be on your honeymoon.”
Callie giggled. “It’ll be nice to have him all to myself for three whole weeks.” She glanced over at me as she took a sip of her drink. “How are things with Wes?”
I couldn’t hide my smile if I wanted to, and when my eyes found him across the yard, that familiar flutter filled my chest. “Good. More than good.”
“It’s strange—in the best way possible—seeing you so…soft.”
“I am notsoft.”
Callie laughed. “Girl, you’re so soft for him, it’s not even funny. Just the mention of his name makes you smile. One look from him, and you’re practically levitating.”
“Shut up,” I huffed through a laugh.
“It’s not a bad thing,” she said, and I looked at her, hearing the smile in her voice. “Love looks good on you, Mo.”
I glanced back at Wes, watching as he talked with the others. As if sensing my gaze, he looked over, his lips curling into hissignature smirk as he shot me a wink. And there was that damn flutter again, the gesture bringing an instant smile to my face.
We’d only been “official” a month, but it felt much longer than that. Considering our history, I wasn’t surprised. I was still getting used to being so goddamn happy all of the time, however, and to the permanent smile that seemed to be etched on my face whenever I was in his presence.
We were still very much the Wes and Morgan we’d always been—we bantered and still got under one another’s skin, but now, it was in all of the ways that were good and counted.
