Page 123 of One Last Shot

“Well, she was always against getting married too, yet she’s been married longer than any of us,” Jackson smiles. “I knew you’d come around.”

“I’m glad someone did,” Nate says, and I shoot him a look in response. “Hey, I’ve known you since you were what, eighteen? You were always a rebel. You always wanted to blaze your own trail—”

“Sheisblazing her own trail,” Sasha interrupts, and though his tone is supportive, there’s a note of warning there for anyone who’d disagree.

I take his hand and squeeze. “I’m just not doing it alone.”

“Tell us more about this baby,” Sierra says. “How far along are you?”

“Just passed the eighteen week mark. We’re having a girl!”

“What are the chances?” Lauren murmurs. “All of us with little girls. My girls will be so excited to havethreelittle girl cousins.” She beams at the love of her life, and I have this moment of gratitude that after the horrendous year she’s had, things are better for her now than they’ve ever been.

“And now that you’re in Boston,” Jackson says to her, “we’re all finally at least in the same region again.”

The waitress arrives then with our drinks and sets several baskets of chips, along with salsa and guacamole, on our table.

I hold my glass up. “To new beginnings and growing families, and to all being together-ish again!”

There’s a chorus of “yeah” and “hear, hear” and “finally” as we all raise our glasses in a toast. When Jackson says, “This should be an annual trip, next time with kids,” my agreement could not come any quicker or be more adamant. I settle into Sasha’s side, his arm wrapped around my shoulders as I gaze at the happy, slightly sunburned faces of my family—the one I built for myself—and feel nothing but utter contentment.

If the last couple years have taught me anything, it’s that there will be ups and downs for all of us. But we’ll get through it like we always have: together.

THE END

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