For a second, there’s silence. Then the room explodes.
Maggie gasps and presses a hand to her chest. “Oh, my heart.”
Violet claps. “That’s perfect.”
Cami lunges over and hugs me. “I love that so much. Because yeah...fuck that Kendrick name.”
Maggie smiles softly. “That’s really beautiful. I love that we have Wilders around again.”
I swallow around the lump in my throat. “It feels like a fresh start. Like we get to choose what comes next.”
Mack looks up. “Wilder is a way cooler name than Murphy or Kendrick.”
“Exactly,” I agree.
“Congratulations.” Sutton smiles.
We pivot to the book like we always do, because the book club never stays serious for long.
“Did everyone read the new one?” Violet asks. “Just Another Summer Escape?”
Maggie fans herself. “All those cocktails and beach vibes. I need a vacation immediately.”
“It made me want sand, sunshine, and a drink with an umbrella,” Sutton says. “I love all the books by that author. The Wisteria Cove series was my favorite. I want to live there and go to the bookstore and apothecary shop.”
Violet grins. “Funny, you say that. Walker and I are going to Coconut Beach for our baby moon. Our music manager, Will Maren, has a sister who owns a cottage there. We’re stealing it for a week.”
Sutton sighs. “That sounds so romantic.”
“A week of waves and sunshine,” Violet says dreamily. “And my hot husband all to myself. We might never even leave the cottage.”
Mack makes a dramatic gagging noise. “Yuck. And I’m staying here with Cami and Jack.”
Cami laughs. “Yeah, but we’re going to have fun, aren’t we?”
“Heck yeah,” Mack says. “I’ll take that over your baby moon vibes.”
Cami tilts her head at Mack. “Are you excited to have a baby sister or brother?”
Mack smiles, softer this time. “I am. I love babysitting. Also, if you ever need one, Sutton, give me a call. Crew is adorable.”
Sutton’s eyes light up. “I may just take you up on that. I’d love a night out sometime if you ladies ever get together. My social life has been on life support.”
“Do you have a significant other, sugar?” Maggie asks.
“Nah, I prefer my men fictional these days. I’m good.” Sutton shakes her head with a laugh.
We all laugh because Maggie is the town meddler and lovesto play matchmaker. And knowing her, she probably already has someone in mind for poor Sutton.
Crew lets out a happy squeal and bangs his hands together like he’s applauding us.
I lean back in my chair, the sound of laughter and pages turning and babies babbling around me and think about names and legacies and how none of this looks like the life I planned. But it looks exactly like the life I needed.
Cami clears her throat, and the energy shifts. Not heavy, exactly, but real.
“So,” she says, picking at the edge of her book. “My mom listed her house. Looks like she’s moving out of town.”
Everyone stills. I never asked Cami what happened at the hospital that day with Theresa. I know that she sent Ollie a long letter, and she hasn’t tried to reach out since. And he hasn’t had a lot to say. He doesn’t seem sad, just finished like I am. And that’s sad but necessary. She caused a lot of unnecessary chaos in all our lives.
