Epilogue

Luci

The sun sets along a horizon painted in swirls of lavender and orange. I huddle closer to Landon as he pulls me tighter. Even from this distance, I can hear the band Becca hired blasting away.

It’s New Year’s Eve. I can’t believe it. And what a year it’s been.

For my birthday at the end of May, Landon gave me an envelope with a check and an opportunity to start a foundation. I hesitated for only a day or so, like he knew I would. Then together, we started a foundation that caters to the homeless scattered along the streets of Charlotte.

It’s still in the bare bones planning phase, and there’s a great deal left to do. But if we receive the permits and licenses we need, a mobile unit staffed with drug counselors will start its first route late summer.

I look down the long stretch of beach. “Is that the same band she hired last year?” I ask.

Landon shrugs. “Sounds it.”

I grin as we walk along the sand, shoving him toward the shore when he tries to lead my feet into the water. “Behave,” I tell him.

“I am,” he says. “You still have your clothes on, don’t you?”

My cheeks warm despite the cold. We’ve had our share of sex on the beach, and if Landon has his way, we’ll have a little more before the night ends. I won’t complain. I welcome his touch as easily as I welcome waking up to him in the morning.

“You sure you want to go to this thing?” he says, motioning ahead when what sounds like Shape of You begins to play.

“It was nice of her to invite us. I don’t want to be rude.”

“I guess,” he mumbles. “I’d just rather spend it with you.”

I feel the same way, but it’s nice to relive the night we met, and how that chance meeting completely changed my life. With Landon, life doesn’t simply pass me by, it pauses, allowing me to live and love it in return.

“One drink,” I say, thinking back to how those few words change my world. “Just one and we can leave if you’d like.”

“Fine,” he says, snatching me into his arms.

“Landon,” I say, laughing when he palms my butt. “Be good.”

“E.T. and Elliot good. Or naughty good?” He gives me a squeeze. “I’m going to go with naughty good.”

“You’re impossible,” I say, my voice trailing when he frowns. “What’s wrong?”

“What the hell is that?”

I follow behind him, slowing my steps when I see where he’s headed. Between a thick row of trees, a long white blanket has been placed on the sand, white votive candles encasing the perimeter in and arc.

“You coming?” he asks when I stop. “Looks like there’s free booze.”

I walk carefully toward him, cupping my mouth when he points to the champagne bottle sticking out of the sand and the two flutes placed on a silver platter beside it.

“Landon,” I gush. “You’re so romantic.”

“You think this is romantic?” he asks.

I clutch my heart. “Of course I do.”

“Humph.” He crosses his arms. “More romantic than our trip to Scotland?”

I scan the beautiful display and how the candles dance in the breeze. “Yes,” I agree, barely managing the word.

He quiets, his warm brown eyes glistening as he takes me in. “Well, in that case . . .”

I gasp when he takes my hand and falls to one knee. From the break in the trees a small group of people with acoustic guitars appear. My tears start to fall as the first cords of Love on the Brain begin to play.

“By the way,” he says. “This here are the Three Amigos. All five of them,” he adds with a wink.

My jaw falls open. “It’s the first song we danced to,” he reminds me. “But it wasn’t the last. For that, and everything you’ve given me, I’m thankful.”

He bows his head, taking a deep breath and letting it out slowly. When he lifts his chin, all traces of humor are gone, his warm gaze cementing where I stand.

“I think I have a hero complex,” he begins. “But I’ve never wanted to be a hero more than the moment I met you. I love you, Luci . . . Will you marry me?”

Just like the first night we met, and he asked me to go home with him, there’s no hesitation. There never will be when it comes to Landon.

“Yes,” I whisper.

I watch him slide the ring across my finger, squealing when he lifts me in the air for a kiss. He lowers me, holding me close as we dance to the rest of the song.

I catch sight of Becca as the music fades, leading the musicians down the beach, her eyes glistening with what I hope are happy tears.

Landon and I continue to hold each other as she turns in the direction of her house. I want to thank her, and maybe Landon does, too, but then she abruptly stops.

I don’t know why until I see Hale step forward, a bottle of champagne clutched tight in his hand.

I smile, wiping my eyes. I’m getting my chance at forever. But I also believe, Becca is getting hers . . .