After a moment of shock, the guests rise from the chairs and form their own knots of excited chatter. The only people not looking pleased are Jonas and Jeri.

I locate Simone with a bottle of champagne tipped up to her mouth, hair pulled from the coifs nearly as complicated as Liesa’s.

I can’t take my eyes off Kylie and Liesa. How had I not connected the dots? I’d even thought to myself once or twice how similar they were.

Liesa takes Mrs. Knightly’s hand and speaks to Kylie. “When I stole Jonas’s toothbrush for you, I took his hairbrush too. I told you I suspected he and Mother had more than business between them.”

Kylie divides her question between the other two. “So, when it came back positive you went to Mrs. Knightly and—.”

Mrs. Knightly tips her head toward Kylie. “Grandmother.”

Kylie’s mouth slams shut and her throat works. She blinks tears. Finally, she has a family. Someone wants her.

Liesa picks up the thread. “Not right away. I saw how Jonas rejected you and I was afraid that Mrs.… Grandmother might not welcome either of us with open arms.”

Mrs. Knightly scoffs at that. “I was doing a little sleuthing of my own. The resemblance with you two girls is remarkable. Not only looks but your determination. Plus, you both have my eyes. I couldn’t believe you both showing up here and both being involved with Jonas was a coincidence.”

Mrs. Knightly tugs on Liesa’s hand. “It wasn’t until last night, when Liesa came to me and explained the situation for what it is that I decided it was time to get involved.”

Kylie turns the happiest smile on Liesa and then they’re hugging and crying and chattering all over again.

Alicia throws an arm around my shoulder. “Dodged that bullet.”

I slip an arm over hers, like when we were kids. “Come on, you would have loved having Liesa for a sister-in-law.”

She shrugs. “After today, I might have a better opinion of her. But I’d rather have Kylie.”

I watch the two sisters for a second and turn my back, dragging Alicia toward the parking lot. “That’s not going to happen. I screwed that up.”

Alicia glances over her shoulder. “Sure about that?”

I can’t resist one more look at Kylie. One last chance to torment myself with what might have been. I expect to see her wrapped in the embrace of her new-found family. I only want to capture the image of her pure happiness before I drag myself out of her life forever.

That’s not what she’s doing, though. She’s standing a few steps from where Mrs. Knightly and Liesa are laughing and holding hands as if afraid to let the other escape. Kylie’s scanning the crowd wandering away from the arbor. She’s wearing a worried expression.

I can’t move with hope building in my chest, making my heart pump and blood rush to my ears.

Finally, her eyes find me standing on the edge of the parking lot and I know exactly what she’s feeling when her shoulders hitch with a gasp. It’s that feeling I get whenever I catch sight of her. A gut punch that takes my breath away and a warm rush that spreads through my veins.

And I know. I can never leave this girl. Never.

Alicia laughs. “That’s what I thought.”

But her words slip down my back because I’m on my way to Kylie’s side.

She runs toward me and I stop before we collide and catch her as she leaps at me. Laughing and kissing, her body pressed close to me, the silky fabric of her white dress soft under my fingers.

I lift a hand to her hair, pulling it free from its braid so I can watch the ocean breeze carry it away from her face. Slipping a hand around the back of her neck, I tilt her chin with my thumb, angling her mouth toward mine. “I love you.” I say it softly, brushing my lips against hers. “Only you, Kylie. Only you.”

“I love you too,” she says in a husky voice, her eyes bright with tears. “Only you.”

“Do you have plans?” I search her face and she gives me a watery chuckle.

“Plans?” She shakes her head. “Like for tonight?”

“Like for forever.” I lift my other hand to her face, brushing my thumb across her cheekbone to wipe away her tears. “We both got dressed up and the minister’s already been paid.” I grin at her when her eyes widen. “It’d be a shame to waste it. Marry me?”

She looks stunned her gaze darting around before finding mine again. “On one condition,” she says, flinging her arms around my neck.

“Anything.” I mean it. I would do anything for her.

Everything.

“No televisions. No anywhere.” She gives me that mischievous Kylie grin and the blowing breeze brings me her lemony scent. “Like, ever.”

I wrap an arm around her waist and pull her close. “You’ve got yourself a deal.”

Threading her fingers through my hair, she pulls me closer. “Then, Mr. Lowery—you’ve got yourself a wife.”

Thank you so much for letting us share Zach and Kylie’s story with you! We hope you enjoyed reading it as much as Shanen and I enjoyed writing it for you. If you loved it, please consider giving HARD DIVE some love on . It only takes a few minutes and would mean the world to us!

Blake and Liesa’s story is next up in the Paradise Lost series. Look for TIDAL WAVE in September. 2018!