“Probably.”
He kisses me, soft and sweet, and I can feel him smiling. “I’ll take those odds.”
And honestly? So will I.
Epilogue
Jack
Markey’s is loud, packed with locals trying to forget it’s still February in Merritt Point, all crowded together as the Celtics play on the TVs behind the bar. Izzy’s tucked against my side in the booth, her hand warm in mine, and my brother Nolan showed up without even having to be begged. That alone makes this a good night.
He’s been quiet since he surprised us coming home last month. He heads back to Montana later this week.
“To the Murphys,” Annie announces, raising her glass. “Together again.”
“I’m not drinking to anything that requires a speech,” I warn.
Ethan and Sloane sit across from us, their eyes shifting back and forth before Sloane grins and holds out her left hand.
“No speech, just an announcement. We’re getting married!”
My hearing might never recover from the shrieks Annie and Izzy make. Nolan gruffly adds his congratulations, spinning his empty beer over the tabletop.
“Did you know?” Izzy asks me as she examines Sloane’s oval diamond in a bezel setting.
“Helped pick it.”
Her mouth drops, her dark brows knitting together. “You knew and you?—”
“I’ve had it for years,” Ethan mutters, as if embarrassed.
Sloane melts against his shoulder, her big brown eyes so full of love that it makes me sick.
“Sloaney, you’re doing it again,” I tease.
She grins, then sticks her tongue out at me before Annie jumps up from her chair at the end of the booth.
“My brother’s getting married!”
The bar erupts into cheers, and we all laugh until finally, we settle back down, and it’s Izzy who surprises me next.
“Since we’re all sharing good news, I think a toast is also in order for Jack’s rink project now that Merritt Point and Summit have signed off on it.”
“Wait, when did that happen?” Annie shoots off a text with a frown, then glances back at everyone. Her hair is full-on frizz today and about as chaotic as she is.
“Signed off on everything this morning.”
“Thanks for the tip.” Sloane clinks her glass against Izzy’s. “TheMerritt Point Heraldappreciates it.”
“Wasn’t sure it was going to happen, but I’m damn happy it is.” I can’t keep the satisfaction out of my voice. After some bureaucratic bullshit, the rink project is actually happening.
“You know what this means?” Izzy asks, looking up at me with those blue eyes that still make my chest tight.
“What?”
“You’re officially staying.”
“I was always staying.” I thread my fingers through hers. “I’m retiring.”
