My lips tremble, and I nod. “Yeah. Yeah, of course. I already thought I was.”
“I know, I wanted to ask in the way you deserve to be asked.”
JJ gives my hand a squeeze and kisses me one last time, then we’re running towards the sea like crazed teenagers, and I can’t stop smiling.
Every second of being with JJ was worth it.
Because I’ve finally found myself again after being lost for so long.
EPILOGUE ONE - JJ WOODFORD
THREE AND A HALF YEARS LATER
When there is a knock at the door, I quickly walk across the flat to open it. Finn stands on the other side with a wide grin on his face, his blonde hair now longer and flopping over his forehead in beach-like waves.
“Hey, man,” he says before pulling me into a hug. “You good?”
I slap his back. “Yeah, I’m good. How are you?”
As he steps inside, I close the door behind him and make my way back over to the kitchen where I’m preparing dinner.
“Yeah.” He shrugs off his coat. “I’m good. Work is killing me, but I’m pushing through.”
“But you like coaching?”
Finn blows out a breath. “I have to admit, some of those kids test me.”
“You chose the job, bud.” I snort.
“Skye is hard work enough,” he murmurs. “God, I love her, but I can’t wait until she’s out of her toddler tantrum phase.”
I grin. “Does Maya agree?”
Finn’s eyes widen. “Oh, she agrees.”
A chuckle falls from my lips. “How are you all?”
“Yeah, we’re good. We’re really good.”
“I like to hear it.”
“You know, I didn’t realise this month will be three years of being completely sober,” he states as if he’s reading a boring article in the newspaper. “It’s weird to think about.”
“Finn,” I exhale. “That’s fucking incredible. I’m so proud of you.” I pull him into a hug and smile into his shoulder.
“Thanks, brother. I appreciate it. Feels like a lifetime ago I was that low, honestly, sometimes can’t believe that was the way I was living life.”
“You’re living better now,” I say sincerely.
“Those girls saved my life,” Finn’s eyes glitter. “I can’t say it enough.”
“Because you became the man they deserved.”
Finn smiles because he knows it too. “Where’s Ivy?”
I pick up a spoon and stir the pasta. “Still at work.”
“Swear that girl doesn’t know when to call it a day.”
