Page 193 of Forever

I laughed even though I was biting back tears myself.

“And Rob is probably going to kill me, but I think we all need to take a second to thank Tanner for getting the two of you back together. Because I’ve never met two such stubborn people in my life. And without Tanner’s meddling, I don’t know if we’d be sitting here today, exactly 16 years after one of the worst days of our lives.”

Rob groaned.

I nodded at Tanner. “Thank you, man.”

He smiled. “It was easy. All in a day’s work.”

I knew that wasn’t true. Mason was right. Brooklyn and I were both stubborn and we’d both held on to so much anger. Tanner had given us the push we needed to keep running into each other and sorting our shit out. We were here today because of him.

Mason cleared his throat. “I would also like to add that as your best friend and best man…”

Rob groaned again.

“Sorry, I have nothing to say about that really. Just wanted to rub it in Rob’s face.”

“This is such bullshit,” Rob said.

Mason ignored him. “So, sis.” He lifted his glass. “To the OG girl in the Untouchables.”

Brooklyn sniffed again.

“The world crumbles without you in it. So please stick around because my brother is worthless without you.”

I wouldn’t necessarily say I wasworthless, but…he had a really good point. My life was certainly worthless without Brooklyn in it.

“I love you both. And I wish you a lifetime of happiness. To the new Mr. and Mrs. Caldwell. Welcome to the club.” He put his hand on Bee’s shoulder.

I pulled Brooklyn even closer and looked down at her. “What happened to smiling so hard that your cheeks would get stuck that way?”

She blinked her tears away. “Happiness has a lot of different faces.”

I leaned down and kissed her. I forgot we were in a crowded room until a few people whistled.

Brooklyn laughed and pulled back.

“I don’t know how I’m going to top that,” Kennedy said and slowly stood up. She took the microphone from Mason. “I remember trying to think of what to say 16 years ago for your wedding. Back then everything seemed so much simpler. It was just…my best friend in the whole world getting married. But now?”

Kennedy shook her head. “I’ve made so many mistakes. And I am sososorry that I haven’t always been the best friend I should have been. Back then.Andmore recently.” She cringed.

This was a little awkward…

“For years, I thought I lost my best friend. I felt so stuck in the past. I missed you so damn much, Brooklyn.” Kennedy started blinking fast. “I think the only person that missed you more was Matt. He never stopped missing you. Never stopped loving you. There’s always been a hole in his heart, waiting for you to come back and fill it. And everything finally feels right in the world now that you’re back.”

I turned to look at Brooklyn.

“Thank you,” she mouthed silently at Kennedy.

“It finally feels like we all get to live happily ever after. No more dark clouds. And no more bad luck,” she said firmly to Brooklyn. “Nunca.”

“Nunca,” Brooklyn said and lifted her glass.

Kennedy laughed. “Here’s to the happy couple. I wish you both a lifetime of happiness and laughter and joy. I’ve said it once and I’ll say it again, no one deserves that morethan you, Brooklyn. I love you. And I’m so so freaking happy for you both.”

“I love you too,” Brooklyn said.

Everyone clapped as Kennedy sat back down.

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