Forever.
Epilogue
Audrey Tripp
I push open the doorto the gym and smile as happy memories wash over me.I hope this place never changes.
The bell over the door rings.Mr.Carter steps halfway out of his office, grunts in hello, then disappears back into the room.
I knock on his doorframe.He looks up.
“‘Bout time you came back,” he grumbles.
“It really is.I missed you, the girls, and this place.You know I always come here when I need to feel safe, yeah?”
A rare smile lifts his lips.
“It seems like you found another safe place.How’s that boy treating you?”
“Amazing.On that topic, I have something to give you,” I say.
After unzipping my gym duffel, I pull out the stack of envelopes, find the one with his name on it, and pass it to him.
“Please come to our wedding,” I say.
He grunts and nods.
“This ain’t the first invite I’ve gotten recently.Go see Brook.She’s worried.”
Alarm thrums through me.I rush down the hall and drop my duffel on the floor beside the wall and hurry to the group of women in the back corner.
Hilary Winthrop, a beautiful brunette with enviably long legs, notices me over Penelope’s head—our shortest attendee—and exclaims, “Audrey’s back!”
As they all drop their arms and turn to greet me, I tuck the envelopes behind my back and say hello.
“I’m so glad you’re okay.Where’ve you been?What happened?”Brook asks.
I shift and remind myself not to crumple the fancy invitations in my fist.
“What are you hiding behind your back?”she demands.
I sigh and move the stack of envelopes in front of me.
“I’m getting married, and I’d like you all as my bridesmaids.”
After a tense moment, the group exclaims in excitement and rushes to accept.
Brook nudges me with her elbow.
“You haven’t responded to anything I sent you for weeks, and this is how you say hi?I tried to send out a search party, but Liam stopped me,” she grumbles.
“You didn’t ask him why I was unavailable?”I say, totally tongue in cheek.
Shetsksand rolls her eyes as she speaks.
“As if that tight-lipped man would let anything slip.Which reminds me… he kept a secret for me, too.”
Uncertainty roars through me.I can’t tell by her expression what it might be.
