Epilogue: Alice

EPILOGUE – ALICE

“Be safe.” Sam’s arms tighten around me while we stand on the front step in the cold.

“I will.” I sniff, hugging her back.

Suzy, who just got done crushing my ribs, wipes at her eyes. “Don’t start crying again! I don’t want to have red eyes all freaking day!”

I smile through another sniff, stepping back from my cousins. “I love you guys so much.”

“We love you too,” Sam says with a watery grin as she glances behind me.

I know what she sees: a handsome-as-sin man waiting for me to climb into the back of a hired SUV with him and head to the airport.

Honestly, I think my cousins were less surprised than I was when we came up the stairs this morning and announced that I’d be leaving with Michael to go shoot a Second Bite New Year’s Special in Canada.

Canada!

My mouth pulls into a broad smile. “I’m going to Canada.”

They grin back, Suzy reaching out to shove at my shoulder. “I told you it wasn’t a waste to get your passport.”

“You were right,” I agree.

I’ve always wanted to travel the world but have never had the opportunity, or means, to leave the country. It was a completely random desire that had me filling out the paperwork last summer. Wanting to be prepared, just in case an opportunity arose. And I’m glad I did.

“I’m sorry I’m missing Christmas,” I whisper, causing them both to roll their eyes at me.

“Alice, if Santa gave me a gift like that for Christmas, I’d ditch you both in a freaking heartbeat,” Sam states, making Suzy snort.

“You guys signing me up for Second Bite was truly the best present I’ve ever received.” Looking over my shoulder, my heart softens when I lock eyes with Michael.

“You ready, Baby Cakes?” His voice is gentle, and I fall in love with him even more.

The girls snicker at the use of his nickname for me, but I still give them one more hug before I turn away and walk toward Michael. Toward my future.