Page 151 of Reconciling With the Rival

I smile as I hug the two of them, a little champagne spilling from my flute. “We absolutely would have found one another if that didn't happen.”

“I second that,” Grant says with a smile.

“Me too,” Oliver says.

“Because what would life be like without the book club?” Leo smirks as he wraps his arms around me, the ten-second countdown beginning.

As the clock strikes midnight and we cheer in the new year, Leo’s lips against mine, I say a silent prayer to whoever is listening to let this moment last forever.

I’ll never tell him, but Leo’s right. Whatwouldlife be like without the book club?

I sure as hell never want to find out.

Epilogue

A Serial Killer

September 2025

“Can you believe you’regetting married this week, Paige?” I ask as I plop down on her bed, the four of us girls gathered on her king-sized bed together.

Her face lights up, the happiness radiating off her body in waves at the thought of marrying Oliver. I couldn't be happier for one of my best friends, and it’s insane to think she’s the first one of us to get married.

Hads and Grant would have been, but they’ve taken the long engagement route. I’m sure they’ll set a date at some point, but for now, they’re enjoying the new nicknames they call one another.

Even Ames is here. She finally showed up and managed to get her shit together. I told her when we started all this bachelorette stuff that if she ruined this week for Paige, I’d kill her. To my surprise, she’s on her way to mending the trust she broke, apologizing and proving to the three of us she can show up for us.

Let’s hope she doesn't ghost us like she did last time.

I’d like to believe she won’t, since she’s actually trying, but she still has a long way to go before she gains my trust back. But for Paige’s sake, I’m being as nice as I can.

“It almost feels like a dream,” Paige tells us. “I don’t think I ever want to wake up if it is.”

Hads grabs her hand. “It’s not a dream, babe. I still can’t believe you’re marrying my brother.”

“You guys will beactualsisters now.” Ames smiles. “Poor Grant has to deal with Oliver being his brother, though.”

Hads only rolls her eyes as she throws her arms around P. “Nobody is more excited than me that Paigey is joining my family.”

I get off the bed and grab a few snacks, throwing them in the middle of the small circle we’ve made on Paige’s bed. It reminds me of all the times back in college when we used to sit on the floor of someone’s apartment or dorm in this same way.

God, that feels like forever ago, and I have half a mind to curse out whoever is making time go so fucking fast.

Paige is getting married.Married.

And Leo and I haven't killed one another yet—in fact, we’re still as strong as ever. We still argue and bicker how we used to, but at the end of each night, we end up in bed together. That’s the only difference. Now, we fightwithone another, not against each other.

I couldn't be happier.

Ever since I made the jump into my new career, life has been booming for me. I never thought what I do now—work with authors and shout about their books—would be something I could make work.

I never should have doubted myself—because I can do anything I set my mind to—but the fact that I’m actually happy working every single day is thebestfeeling ever. Leo is still at my old job, in Brody’s position, since he got caught stealing money under the table from clients. Brody was fired, and Leo took over his role and had to clean up the mess he left behind.

And he did it wonderfully. Business is booming again, and the two of us are happy with what we’ve chosen to do with our lives. Leo even has a pansexual pride flag on his desk at work. He bought one because, apparently, he still wants a piece of me in the office.

It’s the cutest thing someone has ever done for me.

Speaking of Leo, he’s currently with the boys celebrating Oliver in…some way. I have no idea what Grant has planned, but I can almost guarantee Oliver is going to hate most of it. The dude just wants to make Paige his wife, and I know he’s suffering through all these activities for her.

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