Total pages in book: 77
Estimated words: 71814 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 359(@200wpm)___ 287(@250wpm)___ 239(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 71814 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 359(@200wpm)___ 287(@250wpm)___ 239(@300wpm)
My dad smiled as we drew away from each other.
“A good note? You wrote the best story that newspaper ever published. That’s better than a good note,” he assured me. “I just can’t believe you really moved back home. I… I can’t even describe how happy I am.”
This was the right decision. I had no doubt about that. After taking a week to wrap things up in North Carolina and move my things back to Rockview, I returned here without the need to look back.
I didn’t know what came next career-wise, but I found comfort in the fact that I could take my time to ponder on my future. Not everything in my life was up in the air, though.
The cartel would be on their way to court and then prison soon. My article was circulating around the entire country, garnering more and more attention with each passing day. My dad and I could finally be in a room together and talk without things being awkward.
And I was in love with ten amazing men. I needed to tell them that, but I would have the perfect opportunity to do so soon.
“I’m glad to be back. It was about time,” I told him with a nod. “Mom would’ve wanted me to come back.”
It was a little bittersweet, but my dad smiled.
“I think so too. This has always been your home,” he pointed out. “She’d be so proud of you.”
I was proud of her. She put so much work into this case, essentially giving her life for it. I finally felt closure.
“I miss her,” I said, sharing a warm look with him.
“Me too. Every day,” my dad replied. “But she’ll always be with us. I see her in you.”
His words hit me like a bolt of lightning. Multiple people told me that, and it filled me with pride every single time.
“Thanks, Dad,” I thanked him sincerely. I checked the time on my phone. “I need to get going, but are you still good for dinner next week?”
“Absolutely,” my dad assured me. “Spaghetti. One of your favorites.”
Of course, he remembered. I hugged him goodbye one more time before leaving the house, the air feeling light and hopeful.
The town had a lot of healing and reconstruction to do since so many buildings were destroyed in the fires. Detective Jennifer and the rest of the police force deepened their relationship with the community through organized clean-up and fundraising efforts. Ann and Zachary got in contact with each other, and more than a hundred copies of the newspaper with my story in it were sent to the library here for people to read.
This town had been through so much, and I made sure to pay tribute to my mom and everyone in town who helped fight this terrible evil that plagued this place. So much destruction and pain had happened, but there was hope beneath the rubble. We could all grow and be even better than before.
It was safe to say that my life had become happier and more love-filled than I would’ve ever imagined.
Excitement spurred in my chest as I drove for fifteen minutes, turning into a nice neighborhood and seeing some of the guys’ vehicles parked in front of a two-story house with tall windows and a nice front porch. The vinyl exterior was white, but that could change.
Everything was about to change.
“Hey, beautiful,” Matty greeted me as he and the other firefighters lingered outside of their vehicles.
“Well, hello,” I quipped as I hugged each and every one of them.
Our relationship flourished ever since the night we agreed on it. It was a little bit of a learning curve since we were all used to dating just one person. Cohen and I had a lot of deep talks because of the emotional aftermath he suffered after his wife cheated on him. Plus, Paolo and I had been talking about me meeting his kids one day and figuring out how to explain the situation to them.
Everyone had to figure out how to twine their lives with mine and vice-versa. Our concept of dating in general had to shift and accommodate our new reality where I loved them all equally, and they were content with sharing their bond with me with each other as well.
There were lots of talks and research and experimenting.
But we had a hell of a good time. We went on dates. Hung out at the fire station. I slept over at their houses or spent the night at the station. What was important was that we were open and honest with each other, and I got to have a personal relationship with each and every one of them.
“I can’t believe today is the day,” I gushed as I turned toward the house. “This is really ours?”
Paolo pressed something cold and hard into my hand.