Epilogue

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It surprisedme when Wyoming invited me to be one groomsman in his Fourth of July wedding to Tess. We were college roommates and had met up with each other pretty frequently during the time he lived in San Francisco, but I had barely connected with him over the past year after he moved his business and home with Eve to Steele Valley.

They were having a simple celebration on the edge of the lake, a ceremony in a pretty gazebo they built there, and just close family and friends were invited.

No tuxedos required—that made the decision to take part easier.

I walked down to the beach at their lake with Wyoming and his brother Joe, a well-known golf pro, while we waited for the ceremony to begin.

Eve was getting ready now, in a guest cabin they had built not far from their rustic-modern log mansion, with Molly and Angela as bridesmaids and a cousin of Eve's as her maid of honor, Krista Ashworth.

I'd checked her out at the rehearsal dinner last night. Pretty hazel eyes and brunette hair with a tinge of red to it. And a contagious smile, sparking joy just looking at her.

After the year I just had, a little joy like her would feel fucking fantastic underneath me.

I looked up at the cabin and all the surrounding beauty. "Wy, you know I just came off a complicated year with a big case, and finally cracked it. I'm grateful you asked me to stay here and house sit while you go off on your month-long island-hopping honeymoon with Eve."

"No problem, dude. Oh, before we take off for the airport tonight, remind me to tell you a few things about the lake." Wyoming slapped my arm and the bridal march music began.

What was there to know about a lake? All I wanted was to relax and think about life. As I stared off over the water, it seemed as good a place as any to do that.

The women proceeded down the aisle on the beach, taking their spot on each side of the gazebo. When Krista saw me, she winked my way.

Yes. This was exactly what I needed. Someplace where trouble wouldn't find me.

Or would it?

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