Harper touched his hand and said, “First I’d like to give you your birthday present.”
He leaned down and whispered, “I thought you gave it to me last night.”
Crimson spread over her cheeks.
“Whatever you just said was potent, dude,” Beckett said as Harper buried her face in Gavin’s chest.
Harper tipped her chin up and said, “That wasn’t your present. That was just love.”
She sauntered over to the record player, and a few seconds later the sounds of “Use Somebody” by Kings of Leon filled the air. It was the song Inferno had been playing when they’d danced their first dance together at the festival. She lip-synched as she took his hand and twirled into his arms.
“Do you remember dancing to this?” Harper asked.
He gazed into her beautiful eyes and said, “I remember every single thing about the day I met the love of my life.”
His mother’s hand covered her heart. His father drew his wife into his arms and began dancing. Beckett glided into the room singing at the top of his lungs and dancing horrendously.
With his soul mate in his arms, surrounded by the people he loved most, Gavin fell head over heels in love with Harper all over again.
Epilogue
AS GAVIN AND Harper pushed through the doors of the cute pizzeria where they’d just finished dinner, the blustery evening air stung their cheeks. They were in Romance, Virginia, and despite the unusually frigid temperatures, the charming small town was even more romantic the second time around. They’d enjoyed a pre-Thanksgiving dinner with Harper’s family, and then they’d gone to Oak Falls to spend Thanksgiving with Gavin’s family. During their visit, Harper had met Nana and all of Gavin’s friends. They’d even attended one of the Jerichos’ famous jam sessions, which was just as fabulous as Gavin had described. They’d had a wonderful visit, and Harper was eager to come back and see everyone again. She and Gavin had planned to return to the Cape yesterday, but Gavin had surprised her with a weekend at the Wysteria Inn, the quaint bed-and-breakfast where they’d first come together. He’d even arranged for them to stay in the same room.
It was the perfect end to a fantastic week.
Harper turned into Gavin’s warm body and grabbed the lapels of his heavy winter coat. He wanted to make wishes in the fountain like they had last summer, and so did she, except the temperature had dropped ten degrees since the sun had gone down, and Harper was freezing.
She gazed up at the romantic man she adored, her teeth chattering, and said, “Are you sure you wouldn’t rather cozy up in our bedroom at the inn and make our wishes in the light of day, when it’s a little warmer? There won’t even be water in the fountain.”
“The last time I made a wish in the fountain it came true. I’m not missing out on my next wish coming true.”
He put his arm around her waist as they headed for the crosswalk, passing cute old-fashioned shops with faded awnings and big picture windows lining the main road. Gone were the flower boxes and planters of summer, replaced with holiday lights and decorations. The dogwoods’ bare branches stretched over the sidewalks and street like tentacles, adorned with tiny white lights. The streetlights boasted wreaths with red ribbons, and the front windows and doors of the grand old inn were outlined in sparkling colored lights.
Harper sighed. “It’s every bit as beautiful in the winter as it is in the summer.”
Gavin pressed his lips to hers and said, “So are you.” He guided her across the street toward the fountain.
“You know what? I love your cheesy lines.” She pressed her body tighter against him, stealing his warmth.
The moon shone brightly against the winter-gray sky, illuminating the town square. A statue of a man and a woman dancing stood sentinel in the middle of the fountain. The woman was sculpted midtwirl, her dress lifting at the hem, and the man was gazing happily into her eyes. Someone had wrapped red and green scarves around their necks and put matching hats and mittens on them. Against the backdrop of brick and stone buildings with elaborate decorative elements carved into the stone, the square looked like it belonged in a Norman Rockwell painting.
“The statue reminds me of us. The day we met we were dancing at the festival, and now here we are again, all bundled up for winter, just like the statue.”
“It’s a sign.” Gavin pressed a kiss to her temple and said, “We should come back every season and make new wishes.”
“I’d love that. Can we see your parents each time? And stop in to see Nana?” Nana was the most beloved, energetic grandmother in Oak Falls, and Harper had loved meeting her and her family. “We probably have to come more than four times a year, though, because I promised your mom we’d come for all your family’s birthdays. And Beckett will never forgive you if you skip next year’s Turkey Trot 5K run.” They’d feigned exhaustion and stayed in their room, being very thankful for each other—in honor of Thanksgiving, of course—while everyone else went to the festivities.
Gavin hugged her tight. “You have no idea how happy I am that you like my hometown and my friends.”
“Oak Falls is charming. It’s not gray and gloomy like the Cape can be in the winter, and your friends are down-to-earth and easygoing. What’s not to like?”
“They’re real, babe, just like you, only not nearly as sexy.” He kissed her and said, “Or as delicious.” He rubbed his nose over hers and added, “Let’s make our wishes before you turn into an icicle.”
Harper stepped into the fountain and began twirling around, her breath fogging in the air. She struck a dancing pose and said, “What do you think? Would I make a good statue?”
He laughed and helped her out of the fountain. “You’d make a good anything. Take your gloves off, babe. It’s wish time.”
They pulled off their gloves and shoved them in their pockets. Cold or not, Harper was excited to be there.
Gavin handed her a quarter, keeping one for himself. “Do you know what you’re going to wish for?”
“Of course!” she said, even though she was still trying to figure it out.
Wishing for more felt gluttonous because she had so many things to be thankful for. Gavin was at the top of that list, followed by their families and friends, and her new endeavors. She’d submitted the movie script to Trey and had received an option agreement last month. The money from that would fund her theatrical endeavor. They’d agreed to table his partnership offer and visit it sometime down the line. Harper was midway through the third episode of her newest script for the theater. Tegan had called last week and said she definitely wanted to move forward and work together. Jana was also on board, and Jock had even offered to consult and help guide them as best as he was able while traveling. They’d already begun making plans. Harper was still enjoying writing for the newspaper and thought she might even continue in the spring. She already had more than she ever imagined. What else could she possibly want besides the obvious—forever with Gavin?
“Do you know what you’re going to wish for?” she asked.
“Oh yeah,” he said coyly. “I’ve been thinking about it for a long time.”