“Yeah. Our story reminds me of hers a little.”

“Does it?” My throat constricted over the words, as thoughts of what that could mean washed over me.

Her eyes flicked up, catching mine. “Mmhmm. We got a few things wrong—like the first kiss shouldn’t have happened so soon.”

“I’m pretty sure Anne and Gilbert got that one wrong, not us.”

Her lips quirked. “But I misunderstood you when we were in school. You were a tease… but you weren’t mean.”

“I didn’t mean to be, at least.”

“And life kept us apart for a while.”

I nodded.

“And I got a few things wrong about love along the way,” she added.

I searched her eyes, not wanting to get my hopes up.

I didn’t expect the hard way her next words came out. “I know Anne needed to think Gil was dying in the books… But dang it, Finn, you didn’t need to fall off a roof to get me to realize I was in love with you.”

I tugged on her hand to pull her closer. “I’m sorry, would you repeat that?”

She immediately turned a delightful shade of red, but her brown eyes met mine. “I was wrong about real life versus fiction. I love you, Finn. And it's better than any book.”

My smile grew so wide it started to hurt my face. “I love you, too. More than any two-dimensional character could ever love someone.”

“Oh, I know. You already told me,” she teased.

“And look at you, you didn’t even need to be under the influence to get the courage.” I swept the pad of my thumb across her lower lip, then up her jaw. Gooseflesh erupted on her neck, and I smiled to see it.

“I remember something else you said under the influence,” she added, in a not-so-innocent tone.

“Was it the part about kissing?” I asked. “Please let it be the part about kissing.” I was already guiding her head towards mine and contemplating how bad it might hurt if she were to end up on my lap.

Probably pretty bad. But what was a little pain?

“No, actually, something about flying a—”

I cut her off with my lips on hers, feeling her laugh against me in the most incredible of ways.

And for a moment, the wheelchair, broken leg, and long recovery didn’t even matter. Because I’d found something—someone—in which I could put my trust and hang my future on. This might have been the beginning, but I was already thinking about the end. About two people growing old together. About a life that was more than just the moment, but that also included plans for the future.

And Lucy was it for me.

Chapter 33

Epilogue

Lucy

Finnwassquintingdownat the envelope, one eye shut and the other barely open, as we sat on my couch in Utah.

“Go on!” I said, bouncing in my seat. “What does it say?”

He still didn’t open it, instead looking over at me.

I settled my excitement a little when I saw the apprehension in his face.