Epilogue

Six Months Later

“We’re going to be late for our reservations.”

Reed pulled me into the grocery store. We looked too nice to be shopping—me in my little black number and him in his black suit and tie. He looked divine. That new CrossFit regimen he and Cody were doing together this summer was really paying off. I was reaping the rewards.

“I promise we won’t be late.”

“The dinner cruise leaves at 7:00,” I reminded him.

Reed looked at his watch. “We have plenty of time. I’ll drive fast.”

We hustled in out of the warm summer evening.

“This humidity is going to ruin my hair.”

He stopped to tug on one of my curls. “You look gorgeous.”

“You always say that.”

“I mean it every time.” He pulled on my hand. “We need to hurry.”

“Okay.”

His behavior was puzzling. He’d been acting nervous ever since he picked me up and had some secret conversation with Cody while I finished getting ready. I thought maybe he was giving Cody the talk about what it means to be a responsible man before Cody’s date with Tia—we had moved on from Rory—but Reed’s leg bounced the whole drive over. And he changed the radio station ten times in the five-minute drive, making me think it might be something else. I prayed it wasn’t the kind of news that was going to ruin my night, like surprise, honey, you’re going to be a grandma. Reed would have told me that already, right?

“Did Cody say anything to you?” Now I was nervous.

He grinned. “He’s not having sex, if that’s what you’re worried about.” He knew me so well.

I kissed him. “Oh, thank goodness.”

He went back to pulling me along.

“What did you say you needed again?”

“I didn’t.” He smiled back at me.

“You don’t need to get snacks. They have appetizers and drinks available when we board.” He and Cody were obsessed with snacks.

“I’m not getting snacks.” He laughed, picking up his pace once we entered the store.

“These heels aren’t made for running.”

He slowed his pace. Barely. “Sorry.”

When we hit the produce section I stopped. “Do you hear that?”

He came to a halt. “Hear what?”

“The music. Do they normally play music?” I didn’t remember that being a thing.

A devilish grin appeared on his angelic kiss-me face. “I’ve never noticed.”

I listened harder. “Is that “(Everything I Do) I Do It For You?” It was my favorite Bryan Adams’ song ever from one of my favorite movies, Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves.

Reed looked up to the ceiling like that would help him hear better. “What are the odds that they’re playing your favorite song?”

That was odd. “We need to watch the movie again.”

He rolled his eyes. “I’ve seen that movie more than I ever wanted to and discussed Kevin Costner’s butt more than any man should.”

“We don’t know if that was his butt.” That was the great debate back in the nineties. Did Kevin Costner use a body double, or was it him?

“We could google it,” Reed suggested.

“No.”

He laughed at me. “I know, it would ruin the movie for you if you found out he used a double.”

“It really would.”

“Can we move on now, honey, or talk about my butt instead? Or better yet, yours?” He gave my backside a glance. “It looks good tonight, by the way.”

I smacked his arm. “Let’s go get whatever it is that’s so important to you to make us miss our dinner cruise.”

“This is important to you, too.” He practically pulled my arm off, dragging me across the store.

“If you say so.”

“I do.”

Before I knew it, we were standing in front of the card aisle. “Did I miss someone’s birthday? I thought you said your mom’s was next month.”

“You didn’t miss anyone’s birthday.” His eyes were dancing.

“Sooo . . . what are we doing?”

“You forgot something.”

I tilted my head. “I did?”

“Right there.” He pointed to a hot pink envelope with my name on it, smack dab in the middle of the card section.

“What are you up to you?” I yanked on his tie, pulling him in for a kiss.

“Hopefully more of that. Go get your card.”

He didn’t need to tell me twice. This time I pulled him along. I only let go of his hand to pluck my card out. I carefully opened it and pulled out the sparkly card.

The outside read, If I Haven’t Told You Lately . . . I opened it up, smiling to myself. The inside was also filled with sparkly gold letters that read, I Love You. As much as I loved when he said those three huge words—and loved saying them in return, because I loved him with a love that I didn’t know was possible—I was anxious to see what he had to say. In Reed fashion, there was his numbered list of ten.

1. Everything

2. I

3. Do

4. I

5. Do

6. It

7. For

8. You

9. I love you.

10. Look down.

I dropped the card and looked down to see Reed on one knee, ring box in hand. My hand covered my mouth. Happy tears popped up in my eyes.

“Samantha Decker, I love you and Cody. I want to be wherever you both are, whether it’s on the sidelines or on the field. You just tell me, and I’ll follow you wherever you want to go.” He opened the small black velvet box to reveal a stunning, round-cut diamond solitaire ring. “Marry me?”

Happiness filled me to the point I couldn’t speak. I nodded and nodded some more. “Yes! Yes! Yes!”

He slid the ring on my finger before standing and wrapping me up in his arms. “You just made me the happiest man in this grocery store.”

I laughed into his chest. “I love you.”

He pressed a kiss to the side of my head. “I love you more.”

I believed him.

~*~

I know you’ve been eagerly awaiting my list of “must haves” for my next husband. Well, I finally know exactly what I want. Here’s my list in no particular order:

1. Spine-tingling kisses. (Okay, this is pretty top of the list for me.)

2. Knows how to put the toilet seat down and does. Every time.

3. Younger than me.

4. He must love my son like his own. No exceptions.

5. He absolutely must love Autumn Moone books and be willing to read them to me out loud.

6. Sense of humor is a necessity. He’ll need it to survive my family.

7. An outdoor enthusiast is a plus, especially if he loves long bike rides.

8. His thighs must be bigger than mine. I can’t handle that kind of pressure.

9. He must sign all my legal documentation, see much earlier post about NDAs.

10. Last, but certainly not least, he must love me. And not just any kind of love. But the kind of love that needs no words. The kind that comes from acting.

I should probably mention I’ve been lucky to find a man that meets all the requirements and more. You might be asking yourself, “Is she getting back into the game?” The answer is, no. I found a man that loves the sidelines. So I’ll still be the Sidelined Wife, but I’ll be more than a wife. I’ll be a partner. If you have the chance to find one, hold on tight. Life is better on the sidelines with someone who’s willing to walk beside you every step of the way.

Yours Truly,

The Sidelined Wife in Chief

P.S. Look for my new cookbook, Glorified Cookie Recipes and More, in a store near you or online.