Page 149 of Left on Read

I laughed at the unexpected move. He lifted his head and grinned impishly. “So, what do you want to do with the rest of the night?”

“I have no idea. It’s been forever since I had a Saturday night off.”

“What mode are you in? Go out and do something, or chill here?”

“Chill here.”

“We could watch another comedy show. Ryan told me about this new comedian he saw on TikTok. He’s got a few specials out.”

“Yeah. That sounds good. As long as we can cuddle during it.”

“Cuddles are definitely required.” He kissed my chest, then climbed off me.

I sat up, smiling at how I finally had everything I’d ever wanted.

I had my brother, my chosen family, and now the man I loved more than anything.

Being in love wasn’t some sudden thing that hit out of nowhere and took your breath away. It was a thousand tiny moments that built on each other until you couldn’t breathe without them.

Hayden wasn’t just my best friend. He was my partner, my lover, and the person who’d shown me that not only was I loveable, but that loving someone wasn’t the magical fix-it I’d thought it was.

Being in love was wonderful and amazing, but Zane was right. It was so much better when you found someone you wanted to create a new life with. Someone you wanted to put the work into to make sure you lived the best life you could together.

I couldn’t wait to see what Hayden and I had in store for us because I knew deep down in my soul that this was just the start of a lifetime of adventures.

EPILOGUE

River

Three years later

“I have a surprise for you.”

Hayden looked up from his book. “A surprise?”

“Yup.” I plopped down on the bench seat next to him.

“Are you going to tell me what it is?” he asked, slipping a bookmark between the pages of his book.

“Maybe.” I plucked the book out of his hand and put it on the table.

Zane snickered and settled in the booth across from us.

Hayden looked between us. “You’re having way too much fun with this.”

“Maybe.” I slung my arm over his shoulder. “Where’s Noah?” I asked Zane.

“Just finishing up.” Zane looked up from his phone. “The rest of the guys are on their way.”

“What’s going on?” Hayden asked. “I thought we were meeting for lunch.”

“We are.”

“But the rest of the guys are joining us?”

“Yup.”

“Why?”