Page 45 of Matched with the Playboy Next Door

Mia’s grin falters for a split second, a rare flicker of hesitation crossing her face before she recovers. “Wouldn’t you like to know?”

I smirk, glancing between her and Dotty. “You’re being awfully cryptic. You sure it’s not you who needs a little matchmaking magic, Mia?”

Riley’s laugh bubbles out before she can stop it, and Mia glares at me, her cheeks tinting pink.

“You’re hilarious,” she says dryly. “But for the record, I don’t need any help. My love life is perfectly fine.”

Dotty hums thoughtfully. “Interesting choice of words, Mia. ‘Perfectly fine’ doesn’t exactly scream true love.”

Mia glares at her now. “Don’t start, Dotty.”

Dotty just winks, and Riley snickers beside me, her mood lighter than I’ve seen in days.

“All right, all right,” Mia says, throwing up her hands. “Enough about me. Tonight’s about you two.”

“We appreciate that,” Riley says, her tone teasing. “But if Aunt Dotty and I ever decide to return the favor, don’t say we didn’t warn you.”

Mia groans, rubbing her temples. “I hate both of you.”

“You love us,” Riley and Dotty say in unison, and we all laugh, the sound carrying into the night.

We walk back through the square, Dotty and Mia trailing ahead of us, still bickering playfully. The night feels lighter, like all the tension and doubts of the past few weeks have finally started to dissolve.

And as I glance at Riley—her eyes bright, her smile soft—I see the walls she’s carried for so long starting to fall, and it makes me believe in every bit of this.

It feels like I’m not only exactly where I’m supposed to be—I’m with who I’m supposed to be.

EPILOGUE

RILEY

FIVE MONTHS LATER

“You really need to stop breezing in here like you own the place,” I say without glancing at the store entrance as soon as the doorbell chimes with a guest. “Or at least bring snacks if you’re going to disrupt my day this much.”

I know it could only be Mia. She’s been to the hardware store five times this week. Ever since she bought her new place, I haven’t had a moment of rest. She comes to the store to ask for anything and everything.

“Should I be hurt or worried that Mia’s in here more than me? She’s not stealing my spot as your favorite, is she?”

I lift my head the second I hear his voice. “Ethan!” I squeal, practically jumping away from the counter andrushing into his arms. He engulfs me in a super tight bear hug as I smile.

“I think I should go on more out-of-town trips if this is the welcome back I get.” I giggle as he pulls away from me, kissing my forehead. “I missed you, babe.”

“I missed you more.” I stand on my tippy toes, planting a kiss on his lips that he returns with equal fervency. By the time we both pull away from the kiss, our foreheads are resting on each other.

“Quick question,” Ethan says.

“Shoot.”

“Marry me.” I pull my face away from him just to be sure he's smiling because I feel it’s a joke.

I blink, searching his face for any sign of teasing. When I find none, my heart starts to pound. “Wait—you’re serious? You don’t even have a ring, Ethan…”

He grins, reaching into his pocket. “Oh, don’t I?”

He completely pulls away from me, and I watch in pure shock as he pulls out a burgundy velvet box from his suit pocket. He opens it, revealing a diamond heart-cut ring. I gasp, my fingers covering my mouth.

“Ethan…” I say, the tears threatening to spill.

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