Page 59 of Combat Ready Love

"They deserve it," James replied. "After everything they went through."

"We all do," Walker said quietly. His gaze drifted to where Sabrina had settled back into her seat with their son on her lap, the toddler drowsing against her shoulder after all theexcitement. "Sometimes the second chance is the one that sticks."

James and Terrel exchanged a look that Walker pretended not to notice.

"You two should think about that," Walker added, taking a sip of his champagne. "Just saying."

Then he was gone, crossing the room to join his wife and son, leaving James and Terrel alone with their thoughts and their secrets and the complicated pasts that were apparently catching up to both of them.

James's phone buzzed again.

Across the room, Cassidy Monroe set down her champagne glass and quietly slipped out the back door.

And on the dance floor, Reed Star pressed a kiss to his wife's forehead and thanked God for second chances.

He'd learned the hard way that they didn't come around often. When they did, you held on tight and never let go.

"I love you," he murmured against Elena's hair.

"I love you too." She tilted her head up to look at him, her dark eyes shining with joy and peace and the absolute certainty of a woman who had finally found her home. "Forever."

"Forever," Reed agreed.

And for the first time in a very long time, the word didn't feel like a promise too big to keep.

It felt like the truth.

THE END