Page 134 of Thirst For Me
“Maybe, for now, we leave well enough alone? They just started mending the fence. And we just got our agreement from June, in writing.”
I sigh. “Sensible.” I peer up at my man. “But it would be so fun, though. I just want everyone to be as happy as we are.”
Mason’s eyes sparkle and a beautiful warmth overtakes his face. “I know, babe. For now, let’s be happy for ourselves. We’re getting married in two days. We’ve got the rest of our lives to deal with family drama.”
“You know what?” I gush. “I kind of can’t wait.”
He laughs.
Then he presses me up against the desk. He hooks a finger under my chin and gazes at me like I’m the most beautiful thing he’s ever seen.
He kisses me, deep and slow, and when I moan in response, he starts sliding his hands up my skirt.
“You know what, Sierra?” he murmurs in my ear. “I can’t wait, either.”
Epilogue
Haven
The wedding is in my family’s orchard. It’s beautiful and intimate, just family and friends. The whole town is invited to the party afterwards, but I’m glad there aren’t too many people here to see this, because as I walk up the aisle between the apple trees with my brother, Layne, I can’t stop crying.
Seeing Mason getting married kind of unglues me, mostly because I know how much Mom and Dad would’ve wanted to be here for this. I was only eleven when it happened, but I remember my brother’s first wedding, the one where his bride ran out.
Mason was so distraught that day, Mom and Dad cried; it was the only time I ever remember my dad crying in front of me.
Today, they would’ve been so happy. To see how happy Mason is as he and Sierra say their vows, exchange rings, and become husband and wife. Because this is obviously how it was meant to be for Mason. The way he looks at Sierra says it all. Their love is palpable.
Even Grandpa has a tear in his eye.
It feels good, like the family is growing again, instead of falling apart.
The last time we were all together like this was for Mom and Dad’s funeral. I barely remember it, I was so deep in grief.
After the ceremony, when I give Mason a hug, he tells me how glad he is that I’m here. “Feels more like home” is how he puts it.
“This is always home,” I say, because as much as I might try to deny it to myself, it’s the truth. Nothing will ever feel like home the way Orchard Cove does.
But my brother surprises me. He gets this serious look on his face and says, “It hasn’t felt like it in a long time. But with Sierra here, it feels more like home than ever.” He gives me a meaningful look. “And your room’s always ready for you, Haven.”
I know he wants me to come home for good. Move back. Settle down. Play my part in the family business.
He even kept my childhood bedroom intact in the renovations, just like our parents did.
But I’m not ready for that. Not yet.
I don’t know if I’ll ever be ready for that. But how can I tell my big brother on his wedding day that I might never come back to Orchard Cove? Worst wedding gift ever.
“You guys did a great job with the house,” I deflect. I know Sierra helped him with decorating after the renos, and they did a gorgeous job together. “Mom would love it.”
Then we get mercifully interrupted as the whole wedding party is herded deeper into the orchard for photos. I pose dutifully with my bouquet and a smile alongside the other bridesmaids. And the moment we’re done, I beeline back to the other guests while the bride and groom are photographed alone.
I need to check in on my plus-one. My boyfriend, Bryce, is a lot to manage, and he doesn’t do well in situations like this. Situations where he’s not in control.
However, he seems to be okay at the moment. Grandpa has him cornered, cider in hand, and while my first impulse is to rescuehim so he’s not pissed about it later—at me—I’m kind of emotionally tapped out right now.
I thought bringing Bryce here would make it better—like having a security blanket, a buffer between me and my old life. Instead, it’s just made the whole thing even more stressful.
Caterers circle, offering champagne and cider, but I could really use something stronger. Some of the guests have already started to make their way down to the beach walk, which has been decorated with flowers all the way to the pier. Dinner and dancing will be at Pier Seven tonight, but I’m not ready for more mingling just yet.
