Epilogue

EPILOGUE

FINN

Two Months Later

" I f there's one thing Lukas has taught me," I say, a ball of nerves in my throat as I give my best-man speech with dozens of people watching me. The Barbados sun sets in the background, showering the scene in warm orange light.

Kayla gives me a thumbs-up. She looks so gorgeous in her maid-of-honor dress that I almost ditch the speech to sit beside her.

"It's that it's never too late," I go on. "Lukas has spent his entire life working on his company, trying to be the best father he can be. As the man who has the honor of calling myself Kayla's fiancé, I can say he's succeeded there. But second chances… Lukas is a good man. He deserves a second chance. He's given me just that. I…"

I swallow again. Ashley, sitting beside Kayla, gives me a double thumbs-up. I toss my flashcards onto the table in front of me.

"But this isn't about chances. This isn't about cliches. This is about something far simpler. It's about love, dedication, and loyalty. Anybody who's spent even a few minutes around Lukas and Maci knows they're in love. They're the real deal." I grab my glass of champagne, raising it.

Everybody claps. As I rush back to my seat, Lukas pats me on the arm. "Good job, kid."

"I'm supposed to be good with words," I mumble, sitting beside Kayla.

She places her hand on my arm. "You did great."

"Really, Finn. You did." Ashley places her hand on my other arm.

"Thanks," I say. "Both of you."

I told the truth. Looking across the beach at Maci and Lukas, nobody could ever ignore the love they share. Maci is glowing with her pregnancy. Lukas looks sharp, strong, and capable in his suit. He also looks younger, though I know he'd never have plastic surgery. It's more like being with Maci and learning he's going to be a dad again has given him a second wind.

He leans over, kissing his wife on the cheek, and she smiles up at him as though nobody else exists.