Page 88 of Walkoff Wedding

Viv’s nose wrinkles. “That is the most romantic thing I’ve ever heard, Grant. This is why you have to tell her. She deserves to know how you feel about her.”

“Yeah, what my girl said,” Reese quips, staring at her adoringly in a way that used to make me want to hurl myself off a bridge. Not because I’m not happy for my friends—I am, and I always have been. It was just the fact that I was always the third wheel, and now… I get it. I so fucking get it.

I’m pretty sure I stare at Addie the exact same way. I guess it took falling in love to really understand.

“I know you’re right, and I need to tell her. I just also… want the first time I tell her that I love her to be memorable. I want to do it the right way, to plan something that she’ll never forget.”

I expect the guys to give me at least a little bit of shit for wanting to do something sappy, but they genuinely just look like they’re excited for me.

Reese hops up from the couch and claps his hands together enthusiastically, “So let’s do this shit. We’re going to help you plan the best fucking love profession to ever exist.”

Lane chuckles. “Clearly, Reese has been waiting his entire life for this.”

I’m vividly remembering times when I helped both of these idiots who were in love and didn’t even realize it, and now I’m the idiot in love who needs help.

“Tell us about her. What does she like? What’s she into? What’s important to her?” Hallie asks as she tucks a black, springy curl behind her ear.

I drag my hand over my jaw pensively. “She’s an artist and loves to sketch and paint. Baking. Her family owns Ever After, a bakery down by the Quarter, so she’s amazing at it. She’s also into space, constellations.”

“Oh. What if you, like… named a star after her?” Reese says, and I can’t hide the shock that morphs my face.

That’s actually… a really good fucking idea. Brilliant, honestly.

“Babe, that’s literally from A Walk to Remember. With Mandy Moore?” Viv points out with a soft expression.

“Shit. Is that the one you made me watch a few weeks ago?” he asks, scratching his head, suddenly looking a bit red.

Viv nods. “Yep. You got dust in your eye then too.”

My lip tugs into a grin as I raise my fist to my mouth and attempt to hide it.

She is always outing that dude for his sensitive side. Of course Reese fucking Landry would cry watching A Walk to Remember.

“Uh… yeah, okay, well, it was just a suggestion,” Reese replies as he walks over to Boo and picks her up, clutching her in his arms.

I stand from the chair and steal her right from his arms, cuddling her cute-as-shit, furry little body to me. I missed my Boo bear. I’m the worst uncle in the history of the world for not cuddling her the moment she got here, but in my defense, she was all too happy to be hanging out with Auggie.

“It was a great suggestion, man. I appreciate you all trying to help. But I… think I have an idea. Something that will be special to her,” I say as I rub Boo’s head affectionately.

“Whatever you decide, Grant, I know it’ll be perfect,” Hallie offers, and my gaze flits to her, a smile curving my mouth slightly.

“Thanks, Hal. Thank you all for hopping on a plane to come check on me. I’m really fucking glad that you did because I miss you guys.”

“Thank rich guy over he?—”

The sound of the front door opening cuts Lane off, and everyone’s attention turns toward the entryway as Addie appears, her blonde hair piled high on her head and wearing my favorite dress. The one with little flowers all over it. The one I have very fucking fond memories of.

“Oh. Uh… hi,” she mutters timidly as her gaze shifts to mine.

I didn’t have a chance to text her and tell her that everyone was here since they surprised the shit out of me.

“Hey, ba?—”

Hallie and Viv barely even give me a chance to open my mouth to explain and introduce everyone before they’re both barreling toward her, pulling her into a hug as if they’re not meeting her for the very first time. For a second, I see Addie’s eyes widen, a flash of surprise flickering in them, but then she laughs nervously, reaching up to return their embrace.

“Hi, I’m Viv, and this is Hallie, and we’ve heard so much about you. I feel like I already know you? Which basically just means we’re all best friends at this point,” Viv rambles as she pulls back and smiles warmly at Addie.

Hallie laughs, stepping back. “God, Viv, give her a second to breathe.”

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