Page 204 of Banter & Blushes

Reid stands and jogs over, bending to pick it up. He holds it up and grins. “Yeah. Looks like one of those message-in-a-bottle deals. I wonder where it came from.”

He brings it back and pops the cork while I lean closer, curious.

Inside is a simple note, written on sun-bleached paper in neat script:

“Don’t let love slip through your fingers.”

I stare at the words.

Then at Reid.

He’s already looking at me, eyes full of quiet certainty.

“We won’t,” he says, soft and sure.

And then he leans in.

And I kiss my best friend.

No fanfare. No fireworks. Just warm hands and salt-kissed skin and the soft, perfect press of his lips against mine. The kiss is gentle at first, but then it unfurls and deepens—like we’ve both been waiting our whole lives for this moment and didn’t know how much we needed it until now.

When we finally pull back, we’re both a little breathless, but sporting matching smiles.

And for the first time all week, I’m not scared of what comes next.

Because Reid isn’t a maybe anymore.

He’s mine.

EPILOGUE

REID - ONE YEAR LATER

One year ago, I stood on thissame beach with Briella, holding a message in a bottle and a heart full of hope. It was the best day of my life.

Until now.

I stand barefoot in the sand under a driftwood arch wrapped in plumeria and orchids, wearing a linen shirt that’s already wrinkled, waiting for my bride to make her appearance. Bradley, my best man, stands beside me in a navy shirt and khakis, grinning like he knows how close I am to forgetting every word of my vows. “You ready for this?” he murmurs.

“More ready than I’ve been for anything in my life,” I say, without hesitation.

Lacey grins from the other side of the officiant and gives me a thumbs up. She and Knox made all this possible—every last detail. I don’t know how we would have pulled off a destination wedding without their help.

Aurora sits beside Knox, dabbing her eyes while trying to keep Matti—Knox and Lacey’s adopted son—from running straight into the surf. My mom, ever the hero, pulls a mint from her purse and hands it to the restless boy with a smile.

Briella’s mom is sitting near Aurora, hands clasped together, already tearing up. And then I see them, Briella and her father stand at the end of the aisle. And suddenly, I’m watching the woman I love walk toward me and our forever.

She’s breathtaking in a dress I’m pretty sure she called mermaid-style. Fitting, for an intimate wedding by the sea. Her hair is swept up in a soft twist, plumeria tucked into the folds like they grew there just for her. But it’s her smile that knocks the breath from my lungs. It’s joy and wonder, and a warm softness that feels like home.

The soft strum of a ukulele floats on the breeze as Briella and her father walk across the flower-strewn path, the sun painting them in gold. And even though I’ve seen Briella a thousand different ways, nothing—nothing—compares to this.

When her father slips her hand into mine, the buzzing in my chest settles all at once. The whole world narrows to just her.

We face each other, hearts full and eyes misty.

“I can’t believe we’re back here,” she whispers, just for me. “Can you believe we’re getting married?”

“It was always going to be you,” I say, my voice rough with emotion.

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