Page 143 of Second Pairing
“Same for me,” Seraphina said.
We closed the door, grinning at each other.
“You’re going to have to hold me back from meddling,” I said. “Esme and Grady. Delphine and Dorian. Seraphina and Hunter. I don’t even know where to start first.”
Vance laughed, pulling me close. “I thought the kids were the only meddlers, but apparently not.”
I kissed him. “Let’s get the girls to bed.”
“Lead the way.”
Mia and Margot had fallen asleep on the couch, tangled together under a throw blanket. Vance scooped up Margot while I gently woke Mia.
“Time for bed, sweetheart,” I said. “Everyone’s gone.”
“But I’m not tired,” Mia mumbled, already half-asleep again.
We got them both upstairs and tucked in, then stood in the hallway, looking at each other.
“What a sweet night,” I said.
He took my hand and led me into our bedroom. As we undressed and prepared for bed, I thought about how much had changed since I’d had the courage to go on that first date with Vance. Mia was right—it was all because of her. But I’d been brave too. Maybe my desire for love had finally outweighed my self-doubt and fear of rejection.
I slipped under the cold sheets, reaching for Vance. Turning on my side, I cupped one of his finely boned cheeks in my hand. “Vance Prescott, thanks for changing my life.”
“Right back at you.” He covered my hand with his. “I never thought I’d find you. I’d stopped believing you were out there—or that Margot would come back to me.”
“I’m glad you were wrong.”
“Me too, Lila Morgan.”
We rolled onto our backs, holding hands in the dark, the sound of waves crashing below lulling me toward sleep. We chatted about the wedding plans, Thanksgiving, and all the other days we had to look forward to as a family.
“And maybe, finally, I’ll get to go to Paris,” I said dreamily.
“Let me take you there for our honeymoon,” Vance said, playing with my hair.
“You don’t have to ask twice.”
He chuckled. “Good.”
I closed my eyes, thinking about how many times I could have said no—to the dating app, to that first drink, to letting him into my life when I was so afraid to be hurt again. How clear it had been that he was the only choice. Not the show, or fame, or even money. This man, by my side, was the ticket to a joyful life. And I planned to enjoy every minute of it.
I thought about all my careful plans—the business I’d built, the life I’d structured, the control I’d tried so hard to maintain—and how the best thing that ever happened to me came from Mia’s reckless decision to meddle. Fourteen years old and convinced she knew what I needed better than I did. To think how furious we’d all been when we learned what the kids had done. But they’d been right. At least in my case. About all of it.
Alex and Gillian falling in love and making a new kind of family had inspired me to try again—to seek love, even though itfrightened me. And tonight, had Vance and I opened the minds of our other friends too?
Perhaps the people who love us see what we can’t see ourselves—that we’re worthy of love, just as we are. That opening your heart is the only way to find true love. And that second chances only work if you’re brave enough to take them.
“What are you thinking about?” Vance asked.
“That I’m grateful,” I said. “For all of it. Even the parts that scared me.”
“Me too.”
I squeezed his hand, feeling the weight of the ring on my finger. In two months, I’d be his wife. We’d be a family—officially, legally, forever.
And I couldn’t wait.
