Page 72 of The Final Draft

“Who was the lucky girl?”

“Paige Fulton. Sixth grade. We were in Freedom Park. Her brother threw a pinecone and hit my ear, cutting our make-out session short. It lasted about ten seconds.” That was a lifetime ago.

“I wonder where Paige is now.”

“Married to an IT guy with two kids and living in Wilimington.”

She sits up and throws me another one of those surprised looks. “Seriously? You keep up with your first kiss?” Her insecurity is showing a little. I think she’s still skeptical about my declaration of love. From her perspective, my public dating history doesn’t bode well, and I’m aware of that. I’m determined to show her I’m not the man she reads about on the internet.

“First of all, she was my first heartbreak too. She broke up with me the next day. Shredded me for a solid week. But yeah. Her twin brother is Maddox Fulton, a pitcher for the LA Stars. That pinecone was extremely accurate and painful. Maddox and I stayed friends throughout school, and he signed with the Decker Agency a few years ago.”

“Of course,” she laughs. “Six degrees of Julian Decker strikes again.” She gets up and makes her way to the bathroom. “I’m open to anything. I want you to enjoy this weekend with your family. Thanks for sharing it with me.”

Her thoughtfulness, putting my family first this weekend, makes me love her even more.

I’ve been a blubbering mess all day. I’m an emotional disaster, and once the floodgates opened, the tears haven’t stopped. My day has been a roller coaster of highs and more highs. My tears first appeared while watching my brother coach his son’s little league game. The way Xander loves on his wife and son is the most wholesome thing I’ve ever seen. He’s still a hard ass most of the time, except around them. And now my sister is standing in front of us, pledging her love to Cole, and it’s fucking poetry.

“Here,” Harper says under her breath as she hands me a tissue. I stopped apologizing for my crying after losing it when I saw Ashleigh in her wedding dress. Tears of pure, unrestrained happiness cascade down my face, a joyous overflow that I can’t contain. Harper hasn’t laughed or run away, so bonus points there.

I probably should have warned her I’m a crier. Most men get choked up one time or another. We’re raised to hold it down, keep the tears at bay. And I do most of the time. But a super-sentimental movie or commercial gets me every time. And my siblings living their best lives with their soulmates is the most sentimental thing I can imagine. Having Harper here is the icing on the cake. Because all I can see is our future. Our wedding. Our kids.

“Thanks.” I dab at my eyes.

She leans across me, hands a tissue to Chance, and I chuckle. At least I’m not alone. Harper takes my hand and squeezes. I’m so grateful she’s here to support me and share this moment with my family.

After the wedding, we take more pictures than necessary, and then we head to the reception for a gourmet dinner. With dinner and toasts concluded, Cole rises, takes the microphone, and presents Ashleigh with an unforgettable grand gesture that belongs in a romance novel. Ashleigh is stunned when Cole welcomes her favorite band, Pineapple Sunset, to the party. While the hottest boy band on the planet is used to performing in large stadiums, they jumped at the chance to play this small, personal event for Cole. They became friends after he wrote a few songs for them.

They congratulate the happy couple and open their set with a brand new song. As a wedding gift for Ashleigh, Cole wrote this love song, and Pineapple Sunset will release it as their nextsingle. Since everyone at the wedding is close family or friends, there’s little chance this performance will go viral online.

Harper and the girls are on the dance floor, taking turns dancing with Tyler, the only child in attendance. I’m hanging in the back of the room at the bar. I can’t resist snapping a picture to capture the moment, watching Harper’s joyful and carefree expression light up the room.

My dad orders a whiskey and takes in the scene with me. “I don’t think I’ve ever seen you like this.”

“Like what?”

“Content. You’re always moving, searching. Work. Family. You keep reaching for more, like it’s never enough.” I’m sure that’s what it looks like from the outside.

I turn and look at my father. My same blue eyes look back at me. His usually stern face is less harsh now. The lines around his eyes are softer. It’s been an emotional day for him, for all of us. He didn’t hide his tears when he danced with Ashleigh, no doubt missing my mother. We always miss mom, but this momentous occasion hits harder, probably for my dad more than anyone. He’s never dated since Mom died fourteen years ago. I wonder if he ever will. They had the love story I write books about. That one true love. The happily ever after.

His comment hits me to the core. I’ve accomplished more than most in my thirty-one years. I’ve worked hard to build my highly lucrative business. I’m blessed with loving friends and family, more money and notoriety than I need. I’m living the good life. I’m happy.

“I’m not sure I know what you mean, Dad. I’m grateful for my life and all that I have. I don’t take it for granted.” Sure, I stay busy. But I’m aware of how fortunate I am. I work hard and play hard.

“I know. You have your mother’s humility.” His face is full of pride when he glances at me before turning his attentionback to the dance floor. “Son, it’s wonderful to see you finally at peace, like you’ve realized you have all you need. I hope you’ll slow down and enjoy it all, especially your happily ever after. While you have it.” He smiles, a forlorn expression softening his features further, as he watches the women dancing.

“You’re right. She’s my missing piece.”

Harper’s laugh carries back to me, and I can’t look away. She’s captured my attention and I’m singularly focused.

“What about you, Dad? What’s it going to take for you to be content? Are you open to love again?” I’ve always admired his devotion to my mom, but today, it makes me sad for him. Wouldn’t it be amazing if he found love and joy again?

“I’m open, but unless she shows up at my door, I doubt I’ll go down that road again. I don’t want to be with a woman who merely wants me for my money.” This I understand completely. Being a billionaire can make it hard to find a woman not looking for a sugar daddy.

“Well, you never know,” I tease. “Call me if you need Team True Love to run a background check or something.”

His chuckle is music to my ears. I don’t hear that from him enough.

“Love looks good on you, Jules.” He cups my cheek, gives me a rare smile, takes his drink, and joins his friend Devin Millbanks. The two old friends sit back and watch the party from the sidelines.

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