Page 232 of Tessa and Nash

“Yeah, we’re getting there.” I keep my voice light, avoiding the tension. “It’s... a lot, but I’m excited. A little stressed, but excited.”

Thomas watches me, his gaze calculating. “You’re really doing this. Planning something big with the whole town looking over your shoulder.”

I nod, my chin lifting. “Yeah, we are. We’ve worked hard for it, and I don’t think there’s anyone who’d want it more than we do.”

“I never thought I’d see the day,” he mutters, shaking his head. “A McCoy and a Long, doing something together, and actually making it work.”

It stings. The history between the McCoys and Longs has always been a heavy one, but it’s Thomas’ voice that gets to me. The old family pride.

“People change, Uncle Thomas,” I say. “You of all people should know that.”

He doesn’t respond immediately, his eyes fixed on the table. But after a moment, he sighs and finally looks up, meeting my gaze. “Maybe. But it’s not just about you and Nash. It’s about the town too, and how everyone’s going to adjust. There’s a lot of history to unravel.”

I take a breath, reminding myself not to snap back. “We’re doing it, Uncle. And we’re not just doing it for us. We’re doing it for everyone in this town. For all the years they’ve been caught between us and the McCoys. It’s time for it to change.”

He leans back, clearly not entirely sold but not pushing back either. The silence that follows isn’t as thick as it used to be.

“I’m glad you’re at least open to it,” I say softly. “To seeing something new.”

Thomas glances at Grandma, then back to me. He lets out a low breath. “I suppose... I suppose there’s nothing left to do but let it happen, isn’t there?”

“Exactly.” I give him a small smile, feeling the old tension between us starting to lift. “And maybe that’s the best thing we’ve got going for us.”

Grandma watches us both quietly, and I can feel her gaze, how she holds it all together.

After a beat, she stands and claps her hands together. “Well then, we’ll drink to that. To new beginnings, for everyone.”

I raise my cup. “To new beginnings.”

Even Thomas, after a long pause, lifts his cup as well. “To new beginnings.”

Epilogue

TESSA

December 5th

The day is finally here.

Our wedding day.

And somehow, I’m surprisingly calm. Maybe it’s the calm before the storm, or maybe I’ve just spent so many months imagining this day that now that it’s here, it feels surreal. But standing in front of the mirror, my dress sparkling in the low light, I feel... right.

Like this is where I’m supposed to be.

I take a moment to really look at myself, trying to absorb the sight of the woman I’m about to become.

The dress hugs my curves in all the right places, the delicate lace and intricate beadwork catching the soft beam of the lights. The tulle skirt flows around me, pooling softly on the floor, and the subtle sparkle in the fabric catches the light as I move, just enough to make me feel like I’m floating.

The neckline is simple but elegant, and my veil, a thin layer of silk, falls just past my shoulders, giving me the perfect balance of grace and elegance. The hair, pinned back loosely with small white flowers woven in, softens the look. I can’t help but smile at the reflection staring back at me.

This is me.

The one who’s about to say yes to forever.

But I’m not alone in all of this. Maeve is here, standing next to me in the bridesmaid dress I somehow talked her into wearing. She’s fussing with her hair in the reflection beside me, the tension in her shoulders telling me she’s just as nervous as I am. Or maybe more.

“Maeve,” I laugh, “How are you already looking like you stepped out of a bridal magazine?”