Eight months later

I’m standing in a tux beneath a vine-covered arch at the end of a white, linen runway. Above me, the sky is painted a perfect blue. Behind me, the Pacific stretches to infinity.

From where I’m standing, yards away from the cliff’s drop-off, I can’t see the crash of the waves against the base of the cliff. But I can hear the roar of the ocean, and I breathe deep, letting the sounds and the sea air settle my nerves as the iconic music begins and the guests in front of me rise from their white, wooden folding chairs.

I look down the aisle, and it’s not until I see her that my breath comes easy again. She’s walking in time with the music, holding flowers in front of her, looking more beautiful than ever before.

I slide my hand into my pocket and finger the small treasure I’ve put there. A talisman that I hope will settle my nerves.

Closer and closer she comes until she’s standing almost in front of me. She looks straight at me, then steps off to the side, smiling so broadly her eyes crinkle.

Now she’s standing opposite me, and we’re like two bookends on either side of Delilah and Levyl, who are holding hands now, their eyes not on each other, but on the man holding the Bible and reading their vows.

They each say, “I do,” and the guests start to applaud. And as Levyl and Delilah kiss, the director standing off to the left and just out of the range of the camera yells, “Cut!”

Levyl laughs and swings his arm around Delilah’s shoulder as she leans into him. “One of my favorite scenes,” she teases, and he bends to lightly kiss her.

They’re not dating again, but they’ve rekindled a strong friendship, and their fans—and the studio—love the continuing will-they-won’t-they drama. The movie actually came about to capitalize on their renewed friendship, and Del urged both me and Jez to be extras in this movie. Supposedly just for fun, but also so that Jez and I would have a reason to fly to LA for a long weekend.

Over the last few months, we’ve been spending less time in California and more in Texas. At first, Jez was flying back and forth almost weekly so that she could work with Delilah on the basic management of Del’s career. But Del’s been grabbing the reins more, both by making more of her own decisions and by choosing and hiring a team to pick up the slack.

“Do you miss it?” I ask as I take Jez’s hand and lead her away from the crowd. “Hollywood? The ocean? The California traffic? Handling Dez’s stuff?”

“I miss the ocean,” she says. “And I miss Del. But,” she adds, as she slides into my arms, “I’m very happy with my trade-off.”

“You mean the house and the garden,” I say, referring to the central Austin house we bought last month, and into which we’ve been pouring a stream of money, sweat, and elbow grease.

“Absolutely,” she says, then rises on her toes to kiss me. “What else could I possibly mean?”

I grin, then step back, still clutching her hand. “Come with me. I want to show you something.”

I take her back to the archway. Nearby, Del and Levyl and Anissa are chatting with Connor and Cayden and Kerrie, all of whom think they flew out for my movie debut.

That, however, is only part of it.

“What?” Jez says, looking around the decorative set piece. “If you’re showing me the set, I’ve seen it already.”

“But you haven’t seen this,” I say, dropping to one knee and holding up the ring that’s been burning a hole in my pocket.

Jez gasps, her fingers going over her mouth, and I’m not sure if she’s holding back tears or laughter. Or maybe she’s just in shock.

“I don’t think I could ever find a more perfect venue for a proposal,” I say. “And since our friends and sisters are here, I’ll never hear the end of it if you shut me down. But that’s a risk I have to take. Because I love you, Jez. I think I loved you from the first moment I met you. I love your snark and your heat, your warmth and your sense of humor. You’re everything to me. You’re my soulmate.”

She blinks, and though her eyes are watery, her face glows.

“I never thought I would say this again. I never thought I would want to. But Jezebel Stuart, I don’t want to go another minute without knowing that you’ll be my wife. Baby, will you marry me?”

My heart is pounding so hard I don’t even hear her answer. But I do hear the applause and whistles. And when Jez she pulls me to my feet—when she flings her arms around my neck and kisses me hard and deep—that’s when I know her answer for sure.

It’s yes.

And as I kiss her back, surrounded by our friends and family, I can’t believe how lucky I am.

* * *

I hope you enjoyed Jez and Pierce’s story! Be sure to subscribe to my or text JKenner to 21000 so you’ll be among the first to know when Connor’s book is available!

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