Page 138 of Without a Hitch
“Oh, but lover, the details make the day!” She glows with happiness, and for the first time in my life, I truly believe in magic.
EPILOGUE
LOCHLAN
Washington/O’Malley Wedding
“You have to stop running, Tilly. Seriously, what are we even doing here?”
“I told you, Sybil is a friend I made a long time ago in the bathroom of a bar.” She shrugs like that’s an explanation.
Pulling at my T-shirt, I jog to keep up with her. “But you haven’t seen this woman in how many years?”
“I don’t know. Two maybe? But we text all the time.” Tilly comes to a quick stop at a bungalow on the beach and knocks. I stand behind her, trying to understand why she’s in such a hurry.
The door sweeps open, and squeals I was not prepared for have me stepping back.
“OMG!” the small woman shrieks again as Tilly leans in for an embrace.
“It’s so good to see you.” I hear the emotion in Tilly’s voice and smile. She really does feel with her whole heart.
“Are you kidding? I wouldn’t be here if it weren’t for you.” The woman lifts her gaze to me, and I give an awkward wave. “Is this your husband?” she stage-whispers.
Tilly glances over her shoulder and smiles. “Yep, he’s mine. Lochlan, this is Sybil. Sybil, meet Lochlan.”
Sybil’s eyes shine with tears as she stares at me. “I hope you know how special your wife is. She literally gave me the courage to walk away from an engagement I knew in my heart of hearts was all wrong. It’s because of her I was free to meet Connor, and I’ve never been happier.”
“I’m so happy for you,” Tilly interrupts before I can respond. “I’m just popping in to tell you my friend Hadley is on her way. She’ll be my other bridesmaid wrangler. Between the two of us, we’ll keep your mother and stepmother from ruining your day.”
Sybil had called with a last-minute emergency, and Tilly was unable to pull any of The I Do Crew from other jobs, so Hadley stepped in.
Another squeal has me shrinking back.
“You are the absolute best.”
“Right back at you! I’m going to meet Hades now. We’ll be back in the morning to kick things off.”
The two women exchange another hug, then Tilly’s hand is in mine, and I feel her relax. “She seems to be one of the many who attribute their happiness to you, my beautiful wife.”
In true Tilly form, she waves me off. “Nah. Her ex was cheating with her best friend. I just gave her perspective when she needed it. She would have figured it out on her own—I was just the catalyst.”
My spine stiffens like it always does now at the mention of a cheater. “What happened to him?”
She peers up at me through long lashes with a quizzical expression. “Sybil’s ex?”
I nod. “And her friend?”
“Oh, they got what they deserved.” She smiles up at me, and I wait expectantly. I need the bad guys to get their comeuppance.
“Which is?”
“Her friend and her ex got together right after Sybil broke things off. They eloped, and within a year, they were both cheating on each other. But there’s this weird law in North Carolina. If a spouse is caught cheating, the harmed party can sue the person they cheated with. Her friend and her ex both got sued and are paying out the nose for their indiscretions. Quite literally.” Tilly laughs, and my shoulders relax.
“Is that really a law?”
“Yup.” She goes onto her tiptoes and places a gentle kiss on my lips.
We stand arm in arm, waiting for Hadley’s car. We were expecting a taxi, so we both do a double take when she climbs out of a Tesla with a man I don’t recognize and a giant dog.
