Page 113 of The Forbidden Fling

“I know Quin is important to you,” Diana said, as if that explained everything.

The swirl of emotions in her chest was too much; she was going to burst. Completing the race, Molly showing her support, her dads being incredible, Diana moving up north, and the two of them moving in…it was all so perfect.

She glanced at Quin. “Are you sure you’d be alright with that? I can wait.”

They shook their head. “I’ve never lived on my own. I think it will be good for me. Plus, I’m only round the corner from David and Lukas. Just promise me we will continue our Drew Barrymore marathon, and I’ll be fine.”

She pulled them into a hug. “Of course. I’ll still see you all the time. You can’t get rid of me.”

“Then there’s nothing to worry about.” Quin squeezed her back.

As the song wound up to another chorus, the man at the microphone said, “Everybody, come on! On your feet.”

Quin pulled Faye up, then Molly—who reluctantly agreed, rolling her eyes. Faye threaded her fingers through Diana’s, tugging her with them towards the growing crowd. David and Lukas wrapped their arms around their mismatched, perfectly imperfect family, tilting their heads back to belt out the first line.

“You’re simply the best!”

The room echoed the man at the mic, swaying as one, Peppa Pig and Cinderella waving their arms in the air.

Faye’s face hurt from smiling. She tried to take it all in. The mixture of sweat, beer, and furniture polish that was oddly endearing; Molly and Quin huddled a little too close to be considered friendly; the heat from Diana’s fingers in hers. Joy radiated from everyone in the room—especially those closest to her.

She’d never imagined a reality with her stoma where she could be so happy, so free, so…Faye. She’d gone to Sandy Springs in search of her enigma, that quality that had inspired her to be courageous and push outside her comfort zone. She’d done that with bells and whistles—taking down a poacher, snagging the most beautiful woman she’d ever met, and running a half-marathon. She could do anything.

Diana put Faye’s fingers to her lips, planting a kiss that seared her whole body. She bathed in the happiness they shared, in their connection surging between them, the love in Diana’s eyes. This was their beginning, their future, their present.

And Faye was going to enjoy every single second.

THE END