She sucks in a breath. I look at her, and the tears are falling down her cheeks now. “I’ve been in agony, too. Or more like…numb, I think.”
I nod. “I never want to feel that way again. So no matter what happens, from now on, we face it together.”
“Together,” she repeats.
We lock eyes, and I wipe the tears from her cheeks. I tilt my head to the building where she lives. “So is this your plan? Staying here to finish the program?”
She inhales, and I see the uncertainty fill her eyes. “Don’t worry about me,” I say quickly. “What do you want?”
“I want…” She swallows and then nods. “I want to stay and finish my program.” She rushes to continue. “It’s just that this has been my dream for years, and the teachers here are incredible, and I think this is my chance, and?—”
“And you should stay,” I say. “And I’ll stay with you.”
Her eyes widen.
“Not like that! I’ll just move here. But I’ll get my own place.”
“That simple, huh? You’ll just move to London for me?”
“Lily.” I hook my finger under her chin, tipping her head up to me. “I don’t care what it takes. I may have used my last dollars to get a flight here, but I’d do it ten times over if it meant being with you again.” I pause, making sure she’s hearing every word. “I would go anywhere for you. I would do anything for you. I will be by your side until the end of time, and thenbeyond that.” I give her a half-grin. “You’re never getting rid of me. I hope you’re okay with that.”
“That’s all I’ve wanted,” she whispers, her eyes glistening with happy tears.
“Then that’s what I’ll give you.” I lean down, capturing her mouth with mine, and seal that promise with a kiss.
Kissing Lily is like the first rain after a drought, and I soak in every moment of it. Her lips, her citrus scent, her gentle touch all saturate my soul. Then the rain ignites a fire in my chest, and there’s nothing I want more than to continue kissing her and holding her close.
So we kiss on the street for longer than is probably appropriate, but finally the kisses soften and we pull apart. She rests her head on my chest, and I can feel her relief in the way she relaxes into me. “I don’t want to leave you,” she says.
“I don’t either,” I say. “But I’ll be here first thing in the morning. And every morning after.”
She looks up at me. “You promise?”
I press one soft kiss to her lips. “I promise.”
Epilogue—Lily
JOHANN PACHELBEL—CANON IN D
NINE MONTHS LATER (JUNE)
Isit at the piano, the notes of Pachelbel’s Canon floating from my fingers through the banquet hall filled with five hundred guests. I told Henry and Luna that Pachelbel’s Canon was WAY overused for weddings, but they insisted.
And I’d do anything for them, especially when they waited two years to get married, just so I could be here for them.
I’m technically a bridesmaid too, dressed in my lavender strapless dress. My hair is curled and falls to my mid-back. It’s not the long hair I was used to, but it’s getting there.
And Ryder is here, sitting with the audience but on the edge so he’s as close to me as he possibly could be. He’s wearing a black suit (did I expect anything different?) but his tie is the same lavender as my dress. I can’t wait to spend all evening with him.
Sitting next to Ryder is Oscar Velasquez, the owner of the gymnastics facility in Silver Lake City, and Ryder’s new boss. He’s so excited to start a new parkour program at Oscar’s gym, working with kids and teaching them the skills he learned.
While we were in London, Ryder decided he was officially done with stunt work. So he searched for jobs he could do and found a local parkour gym that needed a new instructor. He trained there, taught kids, and fell in love with his job. Now that we’re back home—because Brookhaven is officially our home now—he’s making it his career.
Back at the wedding, I keep playing the piano, watching my soon-to-be sister-in-law walk down the aisle with her father. I risk sneaking a peek at Henry standing at the end of the aisle, his eyes lighting the whole banquet hall.
The entire town of Brookhaven is here, along with Luna’s family and friends. Her sisters Ivy and Hazel are bridesmaids with me, her teenage sister Katy is a junior bridesmaid, and Madeleine is the maid of honor. There are some celebrities and people I’d love to speak with, like Lucas Carter, who composed the music for Henry and Luna’s video game. His wife Amy is the one whose videos taught me the calligraphy I…well, failed at. Then there’s Thea Taylor, the famous clothing designer, and her husband Ethan.
Aram’s niece, Emma Nazarian, is here, too, with her husband, brother, and sister. I have a feeling I’m going to get a little star struck getting the chance to talk with Exceptional Emma herself.
