Page 83 of The Kissing Part
Cooper joins us and claps Owen on the shoulder. “Congratulations, you two. Shayla, he was a mess when you broke up. Practically draped himself across the bar in despair.”
Owen jabs him in the ribs, and Cooper laughs.
“It was definitely a whisky night, but I got him back on track,” Cooper says. “Told him I’d never let a woman like you go. He took my advice, and it all worked out.”
“Is that so?” I ask Owen.
“He had nothing to do with it,” Owen grumbles. “Go bug someone else with your woman advice.”
Finn comes over to congratulate us. “Is Olivia here?”
Aww, he’s still got a monster crush on her. “No, she couldn’t make it, but she’ll be at the wedding.”
Finn shoves his hands in his trouser pockets. “Cool. Maybe I’ll see her then.”
“I’ll tell her you were asking about her,” I say.
“Nah. That’s okay. I get that she’s busy.” He backs away. “Incoming.”
“Yay!” Harper exclaims, rushing us both for a hug. “Welcome to the family, Shay.”
Mackenzie gives me a big hug and Owen too. “We knew you two would end up together from the first moment we saw you madly in love as teens. It was just a matter of timing.”
“Wish someone would’ve told me,” Owen says.
“We didn’t know,” Harper says. “We hoped.”
“Me too.” I turn and give Owen a kiss. “I always hoped.”
“Aww,” Mackenzie and Harper say in unison.
Mackenzie loops her arm through mine. “Did you eat? I told Dad to be sure to have lots of vegetables for you. I know how you like to eat healthy.”
“I wouldn’t mind a little cake tonight,” I say.
“Good. Because we’ve got that too,” she says.
Owen and I fill our plates at the hot buffet, and people come up to congratulate us. Most of them claim they always knew we’d get back together. I’m floating in a happy bubble of love and family when Owen’s aunt Hailey bursts in through the front door, out of breath.
“Oh good, I didn’t miss it.” She fans herself and heads toward us.
I glance at Cooper. “Did your mom run over here in those heels?”
“She’s had years of practice.”
Hailey joins us, wearing a formfitting navy A-line dress and matching high heels. “Things are a little chaotic across the street, but I managed to sneak away to say congratulations. Shayla, I’m so happy Owen has you. I was really getting concerned about the lack of love in his life. You know he’s never gotten serious about anyone since you.”
“Thanks, Aunt Hailey,” Owen says. “Spill all my dirty secrets.”
She pats his bicep. “That is not a dirty secret, it’s sweet.”
“I’m not sweet,” he grumbles.
She shakes her head. “Trust me, he’s as sweet as his uncle Josh. He just has a different way of showing it, but under that gruff exterior—”
“Is a good heart,” I finish for her.
She smiles. “Yes. Exactly. Sorry to congratulate and run, but I have a wedding across the street in an hour, and I really should get back.” She turns toward the door. “Oh no.”
