Page 36 of Summer Showdown
"When Vanessa left," I said slowly, "I thought I wasn't enough for her. Now I know I was enough—just not for her."
Lark nodded, understanding in her eyes. "Fear drove both of us, didn't it? Me hiding behind the false goal of perfection, you behind the assumption you weren't worthy."
"Bailey suggested I could stay in Wintervale," she continued, "and attend the board meeting tomorrow remotely—with her by my side. She thinks with the evidence she's gathered, we can clear my name and expose Andrew and Sloane."
Hope surged through me, but I kept my expression neutral. "You should fight for your job," I said firmly. "You've worked too hard to let them take it from you. I hope the partners will take the new evidence seriously and do the right thing."
I took a deep breath, deciding to lay everything on the line. "I'm here for you, Lark. I genuinely care about you—scratch that—the truth is I'm falling head over heels for you, but I don'twant to pressure you. Just know I'm here, and I always will be... however you want me."
Her eyes widened at my confession, fresh tears spilling over. For a terrible moment, I thought I'd said too much, too soon. Then she squeezed my hand.
"That means more to me than you'll ever know," she whispered. "I feel the same about you—I love everything about you, Wade—your values, the way you live your life, your heart."
The admission hung between us, honest and raw. No more pretending. No more holding back.
"So….does this mean you’ll stay in Wintervale—at least for the time being? I need a date for the Mayor and Edna's wedding, you know," I said with a smile, reaching to tuck a lock of hair behind her ear. "It starts in about two hours. We still have enough time to get ready if you’re game."
A smile broke through her tears. "Yes," she said simply.
I pulled her gently into my arms, feeling her body relax against mine. As I held her, I knew we still had challenges ahead. Her career in Chicago, my life in Wintervale—these weren't small obstacles. But for the first time, I believed we might find a way through them together.
We didn't know what the future held, but what we felt for each other was undeniable. This wasn't pretend anymore—this was something real, something worth fighting for. Whatever challenges lay ahead, we would face them together, because some connections are too precious to let slip away.
Epilogue
Lark
Six months later
The snow fell gently outside my window at Wilder & Wilder Law, blanketing Wintervale in pristine white. From my desk, I could see children building snowmen in the town square, their laughter floating up even through the closed windows. Six months ago, I couldn't have imagined this view, this life, becoming mine.
The day after the regatta disaster, Bailey and I had attended the board meeting virtually. With the evidence she'd uncovered—digital trails linking Sloane and Andrew to both the information leak and an affair they'd been hiding—my name had been cleared almost immediately. The firm not only fired them both but reported them to the bar association for ethics violations.
James Keller had called personally to offer me the partnership I'd once wanted more than anything.
"You're making a mistake," he'd said when I declined. "Chicago is where the real opportunities are."
"The firm offered me partnership to stay," I'd explained to Wade later that night, "but I negotiated something better—freedom."
And freedom it was. Bailey and Jacob's practice had exploded with new clients, more than they could handle alone. Their offer had come at the perfect moment—a chance to practice law with integrity, in a place that already felt like home.
A knock at my door pulled me from my thoughts. Wade stood there, snow dusting his dark hair, blue eyes bright with excitement.
"It's official," he announced, crossing to my desk and lifting me into a spinning hug. "The indoor swim facility is fully funded! Construction starts in spring."
I laughed as he set me down, his joy infectious. "The Summer Splash Festival publicity worked its magic?"
"That, and a certain blogger's series about how our 'fake relationship' became the real deal," he said, nodding toward the framed Wintervale Whispers article on my wall. Zoe's headline—From Publicity Stunt to True Love: Wade and Lark's Wintervale Romance—had become something of a local legend.
Even Vanessa, who'd moved to the D.C. area last month for a marketing director position, had sent a surprisingly sincere congratulations card. "You two make more sense than we ever did," she'd written. "Be happy."
"Don't forget our reservation," Wade reminded me, kissing my forehead. "Seven o'clock at Bellini's."
"Valentine's Day at the fancy Italian place? How could I forget?" I smiled. "I've been looking forward to it all week."
***
Hours later, dressed in a deep red dress that complemented the sapphire of my grandmother's ring, I sat across from Wade ata corner table overlooking the frozen lake. Candlelight danced across his features as he reached for my hand.
