Page 131 of The Invitation

“Guess what I’m going to be doing.”

There’s no way to even guess what this little firecracker has gotten herself into. She could tell me she’s running for Governor, and I wouldn’t be surprised. I’d be more surprised if she lost the race.

“A pin-up model,” I say, throwing out the first random thing that comes to mind.

“A weatherwoman.”

I recoil. “What?”

“I’m going to be a weatherwoman.”

“You’re kidding me.” I laugh. “There’s no way.”

She bounces in her seat. “I can’t call myself a meteorologist because clearly, I don’t have that degree. But I can be a weatherwoman because I’m just reading the weather on the morning newscast.”

I burst out laughing but pull her in for a hug. “That is amazing. I … I’m actually speechless.”

“Why? I’m good at the weather.”

“You’re reading the weather, not predicting it. Don’t get confused. If you go on the air and start freeballing the forecast, you’re going to be unemployed again.”

She leans back and takes off her seat belt. “I’ll dazzle them with my abilities, and they’ll see what I’m capable of.”

“I’m sure,” I say with as straight of a face as I can manage.

“Is everyone coming today?”

“Everyone but Gannon.”

She wrinkles her nose. “Are you going to tell me what’s going on with him or not?”

“I would if I knew.”

“Fine.” She checks her nose and teeth in the mirror. “Let’s go in and see everyone. I hope Arlo is here. I could use some baby snuggles.”

I give her a quick kiss. “Go on inside. I’ll be there in a second.”

She climbs out of the car and dashes into Jason’s house. Seeing her so happy makes me happier than I ever thought possible.

We may have had a rough road getting here, but I wouldn’t change a damn thing about our journey. Every little piece of our lives made us who we are so we would be ready for this moment together.

And every one for the rest of our lives.