Epilogue

EPILOGUE

AVA

Gabriella insisted I fly in my assistant from Atlanta to run the show. Since I'm Jett's plus-one—or maybe he's mine—it only makes sense, she says.

I'm glad I did. It's been wonderful sitting back and enjoying the party for once. With Talia here, it's easier to keep an eye out for all the little things that could go wrong. Nothing is going to ruin this day. How could it? I'm sitting next to the love of my life, picturing us standing and facing each other and promising forever.

Jett's had his arm around me all night, and neither of us has stopped smiling. My heart is full from this day—Gabriella and Colby are so happy. I've never seen Colby smile this big, and I've seen a lot of great wins from the Pumas this season. Gabriella is his ultimate touchdown, and from the look in her eyes, even if she never makes it to DC, she'll be okay with Colby by her side.

"What are you thinking about?" Jett whispers into my hair as we listen to the speech from the maid of honor.

I lean into him. I will never get tired of the strength of his presence. I forgot how whole I felt with him. "How happy they are." I tilt my head down the table to where Colby and Gabriella watch the maid of honor's speech, but their smiles say it all .

"I know exactly how they feel," Jett murmurs.

I kiss his cheek. "Me too."

We force our attention back to the maid of honor and then the best man for his speech.

"Your turn." Jett grins at me when the best man sits down. It's almost time for Colby and Gabriella's first dance, but not quite yet. There is one surprise to this wedding that Gabriella doesn't know about, and nothing in the style of Mrs. Page.

I stand. Talia, my assistant, has already directed the microphone to be brought to me. And maybe I should say former assistant. I hope my boss takes my recommendation that Talia be promoted when I resign after this event.

Gabriella squints at me in confusion. We went over every minute of this program, drilling into the maid of honor and best man last night that they had a specific amount of time to speak. This wasn't in it.

"Gabriella," I begin. "I wanted to stand and tell you how happy I've been to be a part of something so special. Given that you put me in charge of this shindig, I'm pulling rank to tell you about my wedding present to you." I pause for very dramatic effect, and Gabriella leans forward, her expression all curiosity. "You deserve all the best, Gabriella," I say. "And in the future, Colby isn't the only one who's going to make sure you get it." I nod and break into the grin I've been holding back. "I'm in."

She pops out of her seat the instant I say it, her eyes wide. Colby shares a smile with Jett, his intense stare asking for confirmation, and a glance behind me shows my boyfriend nodding.

Gabriella squeals and claps and then pushes back her seat to rush at me, amid the murmurs from most of the guests who have no idea what I'm talking about and why Gabriella is so excited about it.

She hugs me tightly and then leans back. "For real, manita?"

"For real." I hug her again.

"I knew I just had to get you back together with Jett so you wouldn't want to leave Houston," she says. She might be right. It definitely played a role in me deciding it was time to go back to the events I love best.

"Gabriella Diaz for senate," I whisper.

She pulls back, her wide smile saying everything. "You better believe it."

It's time to get this show back on track, so she heads back to Colby, and Talia announces the first dance. As Jett and I watch our friends take the floor, he puts his arm back around me and leans in again. "How long before I can ask you to marry me, Ave?" he asks.

I turn to him, wondering how full my heart can get today. "We've waited a long time already, don't you think?" I say. "Maybe we shouldn't wait any longer."

He shifts his arm to go around my back, leaning in to kiss me deeply. "No, definitely not."