"No," he whispers, "thank you for taking a chance on me."
I run a hand through his soft hair and stop at his neck, brushing his skin with my thumb. "Thank you for not giving up on me."
"I'll never give up on you, Riley Lewis."
EPILOGUE
RILEY
One Year Later
The girls and I walk out of the bridal shop after picking up Ellie’s dress. The big day is two months away, and we're checking everything off the list that needs to be done.
Rowan and Ellie had a long list of guests they invited, and ninety-five percent of them RSVP'd yes. Family from out of town, friends from high school who moved out of Dove Point who are coming back home to visit. There were officially one hundred and thirty guests on that list.
They want to take advantage of people being in town, so of course, Ellie planned a list of things to do. Mostly for the combined bachelor and bachelorette party, anyone who wants to join can.
Summer is here, and the weather is beautiful. People pass on their bicycles on the street, teenagers are taking advantage of the waves the beach offers, and kids are making wishes at the fountain in the middle of the town square, throwing in pennies.
August and I are still together and happier than ever. We've decided to take things slow and not rush intoanything like living together, even though I'm at his house six days a week. I still teach classes at the studio and handle all the boring—fun to me—things at Honey Cakes.
A few months after the fundraiser last year, Mr. Thompson had his surgery, and everything went as great as it could have gone. August and Ellie stayed in their old bedrooms at their parents’ house for about a month. They would have stayed longer, but their mom practically kicked them out.
They interviewed multiple candidates for the caretaker role and settled on Diane, a fifty-something-year-old who’s extremely energized and talks about her wife so much that I know her big three zodiac signs.
Dads in a new relationship and seems happy. Her name is Ann, and she's a lot better than Mom so far. Speaking of Mom, she’s still herself, absorbed in her own little world. I stopped by after New Year’s, when she decided to tell me she’s moving out of Dove Point.
If I hadn't been seeing my therapist, I’d probably think it was all my fault that she’s moving. But that isn’t the case. I’m in a different headspace, working on my self-confidence and learning to love myself.
And I still take it day by day. I still have a lot to work on.
"Ellie, I'm absolutely in love with your dress. It's so perfect for you," Addie says, her hands holding her chest. "It's just so romantic."
Ellie wore a beautiful A-line lace wedding dress with thin straps and off-the-shoulder draped sleeves.
"Yeah, even I think it's gorgeous, and that says a lot," Hailey says, jokingly. "If they had it in black, that'd be even better."
"Well, maybe you can do that for your wedding.”
Hailey cackles. "Yeah, that's never happening."
"I don't know Hailey,” I say. “If I can be in a relationship, I think there's hope for you."
"Who says I want to be in a relationship? I have no desire to be in one. Plus, I'm really focused on work."
"Yeah, you're married to your job," Addie says.
"Yeah, and I get to go to sleep at night knowing I don't need to worry about what someone else is up to."
"Stop being so cynical."
"I'm not cynical. I'm realistic." Hailey grabs her long, dark and platinum blonde hair, twisting it over her shoulder. "Oh shit."
"What?" I ask.
"Ellie, did you invite Zack?"
We all stop where we are, looking at Hailey. Then I follow her gaze.
