Page 377 of Small Town Firsts

"Really?" The worry that tried to trip me up morphs into excitement.

"Yeah. A girl named Frankie. She's in my art class. Oh, wait. Sterling won't mind a kid staying here, right?"

"She has a kid?"

Stella nods. "Yeah. She's a single mom and is trying to make a life for her and her son."

"He totally won't mind."

"I'll let her know today." She smiles. "Now, go forth and kick ass, babe."

Quick as lightning, I wrap my arms around her and hug her tight. "I'm so glad you're in my life. I'd be lost without you, Stell."

"Back at you, Emmy." She breaks our embrace. "Now, go get a good luck kiss from that man of yours."

"You don't have to tell me twice."

I grab my bag and dart back to Sterling's place, the smell of bacon greeting me.

"Made you some breakfast." He holds a piece of bacon out toward me, and I snatch it from him. "Most important meal of the day, you know?"

"False. That's coffee."

"You're an addict."

"Truth."

"You want me to drive you or..."

"I'll drive myself. Gotta assert my independence over the universe and whatnot."

"Okay, little mouse. I'm proud of you."

"I love you." I wrap my arms around his neck and pull his face down to mine, sealing our lips together in a toe-curling kiss.

"I love you, too."

"Oh, and before I forget," I say as I head for the door, "Stella found a roommate."

"Does that mean what I think it does?"

I nod.

"You're not fucking with me?" He steps closer, his face full of hope. "You're moving in?"

I nod again and he rushes me, wrapping his arms around me and twirling me around.

"Hell yes! This is the best day ever!" he exclaims before crushing his lips to mine.

I can't help but agree. Today is the best day ever.

It's myrealfresh start and the official first day of the rest of my life with Sterling Abbot at my side.

EPILOGUE – EMMY

Standing in front of the full-length mirror, I smooth my hands over the front of my pretty white dress. My makeup is perfect, and there's not a single strand of hair out of place.

Just breathe,I tell myself, trying to settle the swarm of nerves twisting through me.

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