We were scattering in all directions. But the eight of us would always be connected.

Maysie, Vivian, Riley, and me wrapped our arms around each other while the guys punched each other, or whatever they did as a way of saying congratulations.

“You did it, Mays,” I said through my tears.

“We all did it,” Maysie sniffled.

“Who would have thought we’d all end up here?” Vivian mused.

“I’m just glad that we ended up here together,” Riley said. Maysie kissed her cheek, leaving behind a smear of lipstick.

“I love you girls,” Maysie murmured.

“We love you too.” I reached out put a hand on her belly. “And I, for one, can’t wait to spoil this little girl rotten.”

Maysie gave me a wobbly smile. “You’ll be the best auntie ever.”

“Okay ladies. I’m stealing my wife now.” Jordan broke up the lovefest and pulled Maysie away.

People instantly swarmed them. Jordan’s parents spoke with Maysie’s mom and dad. Moore hugged Maysie and Paco slapped Jordan’s ass. Dina was snotting away and Jaz put a comforting arm around her shoulders. I saw Eli approach Maysie and Jordan, offering congratulations. Maysie gave him a hug and Jordan shook his hand.

Oh, how times had changed.

“You look beautiful.” Mitch’s arm slid around my waist and I felt his warm breath on my cheek.

“I don’t know whether to be overjoyed or completely depressed,” I told him honestly, leaning my head against his shoulder. His hand softly rubbed my back in long, even strokes.

“I’m happy for Maysie and Jordan. I’m happy for Riley and Garrett. And Vivian and Cole. But I’m sad too. Because we’re all splitting up,” I sighed and wiped my eyes again. Stupid tears.

Mitch kissed the top of my head and started to lead me towards the house. I could see caterers setting up tables and chairs in the yard. Large speakers were being brought out of the house and were now playing a compilation of Generation Rejects’ songs.

“I think you can feel both, G. You can be happy for everyone, but you can be sad too. Change is hard. Growing up is even harder. But just because we won’t all be together doesn’t mean we will lose that connection. It’ll always be there.”

The music changed and a familiar Rejects’ tune pumped out of the speakers. Mitch hummed under his breath and I looked up at him, noting the wistful expression on his face.

“Do you ever wonder if you guys made the right decision? Do you regret it?”

Mitch’s face softened and he leaned down to kiss me gently. “No. I don’t regret it for a second. Music will always be a part of my life. I miss playing with the guys, but I don’t miss the drama and being on the road.” He kissed me gently. “Or being away from you. That was always the worst part.”

“Well you’re stuck with me now,” I teased.

“And I wouldn’t have it any other way.” Then we were really kissing. The sort of kissing that makes breathing difficult and knees wobbly.

“Stop chewing her face off, Mitch.”

We broke apart to find his sister, Charlotte, holding her little girl in her arms. She gave us a knowing smile and I flushed a bit in embarrassment.

“Hey, sis, thanks for cock blocking me. We should make you a T-shirt that says Bad Timing,” Mitch muttered.

“You’re so incredibly charming. How do you handle his sparkling personality all the time, Gracie?” Charlotte snickered and I laughed at their squabbling.

I held out my arms. “Let me have some Maddy cuddles,” I cooed, taking the sweet little girl into my arms. I balanced her on my hip and grinned when the toddler started playing with my necklace. I didn’t bat an eyelash when she put the charm in her mouth and started sucking.

“You do that really well, Gracie. If you two need any practice before you start popping out kids of your own, I rent Maddy out by the hour,” Charlotte offered.

“We’ll take you up on that when you come down to Houston for a visit,” I said and Mitch groaned.

“You invited my sister to visit? Without asking me first?” he complained without a hint of maliciousness.

Charlotte kissed his cheek and ruffled his hair. Mitch swatted her hand away but gave her a big grin. I loved their dynamic. And I appreciated how effortlessly his family had always accepted me.

I had been nervous after we got together. I worried that they would think less of me considering how quickly we started dating on the heels of his relationship with Sophie. But Mrs. Abrams had invited me into her home, made me homemade lasagna, and told me how glad she was to see her son so happy.

Their warmth made my parents’ ongoing chill easier to tolerate. My father was trying, but Mom still had a long way to go before she became mother of the year. When I told them that Mitch and I were moving to Houston, she had refused to speak to me for weeks. She was only now coming around.

Hopefully some distance would do wonders for our relationship. Twelve hundred miles between us may be exactly what we needed.

“Let me have the rugrat back and the two of you need to go be social. Mom is over there fussing over Maysie, so you may want to intervene soon,” Charlotte suggested.

“Will do, sis,” Mitch said.

I reluctantly handed Maddy back to her mom.

Once we were alone again, Mitch gave me a sweet smile. “You were awfully comfortable with my niece in your arms, weren’t you?”

“I like kids,” I shrugged.

“I think I would especially like kids that look a little like you and a little like me,” Mitch said softly into my ear.

I smacked his chest lightly. “One thing at a time, buddy.” But I couldn’t help feeling warm all over.

“Mitch! Gracie! Come on!” Vivian yelled, waving us over.

“I love you, Gracie,” Mitch said.

“I love you, Mitch.”

We held each other for a moment before joining our friends.

We had come a long way to get to this point.

We had gone from friends to enemies. From lovers to nothing at all.

But most importantly, we had always been Mitch and Gracie.

Gracie and Mitch.

And together we were sort of perfect.

“When I say Chunky Monkey, we’re out of here,” Mitch said with a smile.

“And I’ll ride to your rescue,” I promised.

Mitch’s eyes were full of love as he held me close.

This was our chance. The one we had been waiting years for. And we were determined to do it right.

Mitch kissed the corner of my mouth, his lips lingering.

“You already have.”

Read other books by A. Meredith Walters

This is for you.

Yes you.

The readers who loved Bad Rep. The ones who followed along with these stories.

This series was my love letter to YOU!

Thank you, from the bottom of my heart for supporting and enjoying these books.

It’s been a hell of a ride.

A.Meredith Walters is the New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of the Bad Rep, Find You in the Dark, Reclaiming the Sand, and Twisted Love series, as well as the stand alones The Contradiction of Solitude and Butterfly Dreams.

Before becoming a full-time writer, she worked as a counselor for troubled and abused children and teens. The Virginia native currently lives in England with her husband and daughter. Join her on the web at www.ameredithwalters.com

All rights reserved. No parts of this publication may be reproduced, distributed or transmitted in any form or by any means including photocopying, recording, or other electronic or mechanical methods without express permission from the author.