“I’m the oldest, and I know all the things,” she tells me.
I hug her to my chest. “Yes, you are, and you definitely know all the things.”
“Can I curl your hair now?” she asks.
“Sure.” I nod, swallowing the lump of emotion blocking my throat. “Make me beautiful like you.”
“Oh, you’re already beautiful, Aunt Alyssa.” She moves to get her sponge rollers because we don’t let her have an actual curling iron. “I have to get the curlers from my room.” She points at me. “Don’t move.” She climbs to her feet and races down the hall.
“Holy shit,” Palmer says.
“Right?” Piper agrees.
“Are we surprised?” Jade asks. “We all knew this was coming.”
“Did you?” Ramsey asks.
“No.” I shake my head. “We said we were in this forever but never talked about marriage. Not seriously, anyway. A comment here or there with me moving in, but… no.”
“Welcome to the family.” Kennedy smiles.
I return the gesture. These amazing ladies will be my sisters-in-law. Blakely, Remi, my nieces, and the two baby boys who I’ve yet to meet will be my nephews. And best of all, Sterling Kincaid will be my husband. I get to marry my best friend.
I’m engulfed in hugs, and that’s how Blakely finds us. She joins in, and even though I know it’s coming, she didn’t ruin it for me. I know Sterling, and he’s going to make it special.
EPILOGUE STERLING
Sterling
Everything is set up. I’ve triple-checked every detail. The one wild card I’m not sure about is Blakely. She and I had a breakfast date this morning. Alyssa opted not to go because she had things she wanted to get done before girls’ night. When we got to the restaurant, I told Blakely I had a secret and showed her the ring. Partly because she’s cool as hell, and I wanted to see her ooh and ahh over it. The other part was so that she would tell Alyssa.
I know my girl. She’s going to be so preoccupied with the knowledge that I bought a ring that she’ll never suspect that when she gets home tonight, I plan to ask her to be my wife. She’s been living here for two weeks, and I’ve never been happier. I love her things spread out all over the house.
I love her.
We’re going at this like we’re being chased by wild bears, but I don’t care. I want her tied to me in every possible way. I want to start the next phase of our lives. I’m ready for our forever, and I know she is too. We haven’t really talked about marriage outside of saying that we’re both in this. Sure, I’ve mentioned our future and kids a time or two in the last couple of weeks, and she always smiles. No arguments, which means she’s ready for this.
My phone rings, and I pull it out of my pocket. Glancing at the screen, I see that it’s Rushton. “Hey,” I greet him as I pace the floor.
“How are you holding up?”
“Good. I’ve checked everything, and it’s good. Thanks for your help today, even though you were late,” I tease.
“That’s what brothers are for. And I was late for a good reason. I was doing my civic duty helping a damsel in distress.” He chuckles. “Is everyone gone?”
“Yeah. Everyone pretty much left the same time you did.”
“I figured the married few would stick around and offer some advice,” he jokes.
“We’re solid,” I tell him.
“Yeah,” he agrees. “I really think you are. Nervous?”
“Anxious, but not nervous. There isn’t a doubt in my mind that she’s not going to say yes.”
“I’m happy for you, Sterling.”
“I’m happy for me too.” I laugh. “Sorry, but fuck me, I just want my ring on her finger, and a wedding date set, and babies. I want this house full of them.”