“I love you, Liam,” she says in a whisper. “Thanks for…” she dies off there and shakes her head absently, her gaze shifting to the view. When she sets her eyes back on me, the words come out with new certainty. “For being someone that I can trust. And for being someone who trusts me. I’m finally learning to do that, too.”
“I’m glad,” I say, my mind drifting to the list she’s been wanting to tackle. She must read my thoughts because she speaks up once more.
“I’m ready to look at places, I think,” she says.
I lift a brow. “You think?”
She giggles and nods. “I know. The kids are behind it. I worried they’d be upset about changing schools, but they’re glad since they’ll be in the same district as the Wheaton boys.”
I grin. “Lucy wants to be where the Wheaton boys are too?”
“She likes spending time with them,” Ashley replies.
“And they like spending time with her and Martin too.” I cup my hands around her waist and give her the lightest tug. “I know you’re on a whole doing-stuff-yourself-thing,” I say, “which I support, but if you wanted a little help telling Ross you’re not going to work for him anymore, I know a guy.”
Ashley laughs. “Good to know. I’ll keep that in mind.”
“You could at least record it, couldn’t you?” I laugh because I know I’m being petty. I just want to see that guy’s face when he finally finds out he’s not going to be able to control Ashley anymore. Not because I want any control over her myself. She’s right—I trust that she can do a fine job of that herself.
And I’ll be in charge of me. Starting with another tug of encouragement to get Ashley’s mouth back on mine.
It works, and soon, we’re locked in a celebratory kiss I could bask in forever.
We haven’t hit our happily ever after just yet, but something tells me we’re well on our way.
EPILOGUE
Ashley
Kirstin and Beau's wedding is nothing short of a dream.
As I watch Beau take Kirsten's hand and recite vows to honor, love, and cherish her forever, I’m filled with happiness and hope.
They make references to the unique way the two of them came together, which invokes laughter from the small crowd, consisting mainly of their family and children.
Since they didn't have a formal wedding lineup of groomsmen and bridesmaids, Liam—who looks incredible in his tux—sits right next to me, holding my hand and rubbing my knuckles with his thumb. We look at each other when the pastor says the groom can kiss his bride, and Liam gives my hand a thrill-inducing squeeze.
Yes, I reply with a squeeze of my own. I hope this is us one day, too.
I set a deadline for myself to take care of the things on my list before Braxton and Maggie's wedding. It's best for the kids to get settled into their new place before school starts anyway.
In the weeks following the wedding, the kids and I go looking for places to rent in town with Liam and Cam, who thought it would be fun to come along.
I have the kids put in their two cents, ask Liam for his strictly professional opinion, and then make the final decision—as an adult woman/divorced mother of two—on my own. And it feels scary, but it also feels right.
It doesn’t mean I won’t make mistakes or regret some of my decisions, but if a choice ends up being disastrous, then I trust I’ll be able to deal with it.
I apply for two dental hygienist positions in town, and, as I head to the back-to-back interviews, I call Loretta Sharon to let her know I’ll be moving soon and that Martin would like to start piano lessons. And I know someone else who’d like to take lessons too——me.
Loretta chuckles and says she’ll be delighted to have both of us. Then she adds, “You’d never have guessed it, but we’re headed to Dr Brynn’s as we speak for an emergency crown. Patrick chipped a tooth.”
"Ooh,” I say through the car speaker as I drive, “I did that not long ago. Ross will do a great job repairing it. And hey,” I add, “don’t mention that I told you we’re moving. He knows we’re hoping to move before school starts, but I haven't given my official notice yet. I’m actually doing that when I go in this afternoon.”
“It sounds like we may miss each other at the office then,” Loretta gathers.
“Yes,” I confirm, “but I’ll see you soon enough for those piano lessons.” I smile at the thought. As a child, I didn’t take to piano lessons very well, but it’s something I regret. I look forward to giving it another try, especially since our new, furnished place has a baby grand piano.
I head to my interviews, one after the next, and take the second job offered to me because I love the cheery environment, the bright, generous windows, and most of all, the dentist, who happens to be female. It'll be nice to have a different dynamic in the workplace, I decide.
