Page 112 of The Road Less Traveled By

“Okay, I have to go first because I know I’d never be able to follow whatever you’re going to say, but I’m gonna try my best,” Tristan says as he grabs some paper from Theo and unfolds it.

He clears his throat before he starts. “I’ve never been more thankful for a single cup of coffee in my entire life, Liv.” Everyone laughs as they remember how they met. “If I knew that day that my life would change this much, I would have slowed down to really take it all in. If I had known that day that I would meet the girl who would change my life, I would’ve at least stopped to buy you flowers first. Liv, my entire life, all I’ve wanted to do is run. Run from things I was afraid of, run from this town, run from my feelings about anything and everything. But you…you were the first thing I ever wanted to run toward. You were like a magnet drawing me in that I didn't want to let go of, that I couldn't let go of, no matter how hard I tried to convince myself I should.”

Liv sniffles, and I hand her a tissue from the pocket of mydress.

Tristan continues. “Olivia Hart, I know I’ve made some mistakes, and I’ll probably make a thousand more, but I know you’ll be by my side regardless. Through thick and thin, you’ve been there for me. You’ve held me through storms and some of the worst feelings I’ve ever had. You are the love of my life. You’re my sunset, pretty girl, and there are not enough words to describe the feeling of waking up every single day to your beautiful face. I might not have words, but I’ll spend every day proving to you that I love you a little more than the day before. My girl. My sunset. My Livvy. I love you so fucking much.”

My tears are falling, and I notice everyone else’s are, too. I think every single person here can agree that these two deserve lifetimes of happiness, and seeing them get their happy ending is way too emotional for me.

“Oh, God, I don't know how I’m going to be able to speak after that, but I’m going to try my best,” Liv says with a slight laugh.

“For my entire life, I never thought anybody noticed me. But one day, this guy ran into me, spilled coffee all over me, and decided to help by giving up his hoodie. I thought growing up that I was meant to be a girl who ghosted through life with nothing to tie her down, and one day, I’d just float off into space, never to be heard from again.” Liv looks up from her cards and stares at her future husband. “Until you, Tristan West.”

I smile again, my cheeks already hurting, and I lock eyes with Vince in his seat again. He’s smiling with his whole face, and I even see some tears on Nico’s.

Vince can tell my eyes are on him, and he shifts his gaze to me, my body heating at his stare.

Maybe one day, I’ll be standing across from him like that. Maybe one day, we’ll get the happy ending my sister sees for me.

Maybe it has always been him and I.

Maybe.

I’m tired of that word. I want this with Vince. I want to be happy forever, and I want to go to sleep every night with him by my side, andI’ll do whatever it takes to get there with him. Nothing can stand in my way—not the media, my stalker, nothing.

“Tristan West, you are better than any fictional man I could create. I recently realized that every single male love interest I create has a piece of you in it because you make me want to live in real time, not hide away in the worlds I create. You make me feel like my voice matters, that I matter as a person and a writer. Even if I go broke, even if the world falls apart tomorrow, I’ll be thankful I got to experience a fraction of the love you’ve given me. Never again will I feel like that lost girl begging for someone to hear her, to see her, because you fill my days with love, light, and laughter.” Liv pauses to cry a bit, and Tristan reaches over to wipe tears from her face. “For however long we live, I’ll always feel like I belong somewhere as long as I’m with you. I love you so much more than any love story I could create. Forever, Tristan West.”

“Forever, Olivia Hart.”

“Come on, angel. Youowe me a dance,” Vince says as he pulls me onto the makeshift dance floor. Tristan curated a playlist for tonight, and one of my favorite songs is playing as Vince and I sway to the slow beat.

Liv has barely left the dance floor, along with all of her friends, they’ve been dancing all night long. Nico and Teags are sitting at a table together, talking about who knows what, and I notice Tristan and Dom watching them.

Teags is still with Gregory, but she hasn't mentioned moving to Arizona since she brought it up the first time, and I have no idea what’s happening with that. Is Teags leaving? Is she staying?

“Come back to me, Bree. I know you’re worried about Teags, but stay in this moment with me,” Vince says as his hand brushes up and downmy back. He looks absolutely stunning in a light gray suit—the one Nico bought for him—with a matching tie to my pale pink dress.

“I’m sorry. I’m here, I promise.” I smile at him, and his mouth lifts up at the corners. Vince presses a kiss to my temple as we continue dancing, the song almost over at this point.

When it ends, Theo steps up to the microphone. “All right, everyone gather around. I’ve got a few things to say.”

Theo taps the microphone a few times before beginning. “Since the moment I saw Tristan and Liv, I knew my brother was going to make this girl his forever. For one, it was the first time he had brought a girl home to meet the chaos that was our family, but it was also the first time someone fully embraced the chaos that comes with being a member of the West family. We’re loud, rambunctious, and not easy to deal with, but Olivia here matched our energy, even though she looked terrified the moment she walked in the door.”

Theo stops on account of all of us laughing, and I smile, remembering how Liv said the same thing about their family.

Our house was always quiet, since our parents often worked rather than being with us, and when Liv was describing what it was like that Thanksgiving, I’ll admit, I was a little jealous.

Now, we’re here celebrating their love loudly and openly, and I understand how Liv felt that night. The West family is magic, and I’m so glad our two families have merged to create one loud, crazy family.

Theo turns to where Tristan and Liv stand. “It’s been an insane year for all of us, and I’m glad you two have found your way back to one another amidst the craziness.” He takes a deep breath before his eyes shift to the dark sky. “And I know we’re missing a few people today, but I know Dad and Tobias are up there somewhere, smiling down on you guys and wishing you all the happiness in the world. I know they would be so proud of who you’ve become, Tristan.” Theo’s eyes shift to my sister. “And I know that Tobias loved you like a sister, Liv. My dad wouldbe proud that Tristan managed to love someone like you. To Tristan and Liv. May your days be filled with love, light, and sunsets for the rest of time.”

Cheers cry out around the party, and Tristan barrels his brother in a hug, holding him tight. Liv wipes a few tears from her eyes as she looks over at me, her eyebrow raised as I detach from Vince’s hold and head to the microphone.

“I don't know how I’m supposed to follow that, but I’ll make this short and sweet so we can all stop crying. I love you guys, but holy shit, it’s been a long time since I’ve cried this much over something so joyous.”

A few laughs echo around the party, and I focus my attention on my sister and herhusband. God, that feels insane to say, but I couldn't be happier for them.

“Liv, I am so proud of the woman you’ve become, and I’m so thankful the two of us are here, surrounded by people who love us, celebrating this special occasion. We aren't used to this—the laughter, the love—and I’m grateful we can experience that now. You two are the definition of love, and Liv, I know you're the author here, but I don't think evenyoucould write a book that captures the love you two share. We all love you so much, and I am so proud of who you’ve become. And Tristan, you’re now officially my favorite brother.”

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