Epilogue - Take Your Time

Grace ran her fingers through Dani’s windblown hair and stared up at the cloudless Georgia sky. “Perfect.”

Dani grinned. “What’s perfect, babe?”

“This. Us. I’ve got the woman of my dreams. The sky is glorious. The temperature isn’t too blazing. And we’re going to meet my best friends and their new loves at our favorite spot for a picnic. What could be better?”

“Having you under me,” Dani teased and slid her hand up Grace’s leg to the edge of her shorts. “I freaking love these shorts.”

“You just love the easy access.”

Dani parked off the side of the road where Grace indicated and urged her closer, inching her fingers under the short leg of Grace’s jeans. “Busted.” She cupped Grace’s head with her other hand and kissed her until Grace pulled for breath.

“Do…we have…time for a—”

“No, you don’t have time for a quickie,” Trip said as she walked up behind them. “Should’ve taken care of that earlier. You’re on the side of the road, Grace Booker. Think of your reputation.” Trip slapped a hand over her chest, feigning shock.

Petunia collected pats from Grace and Dani while Jamie nudged Trip. “Be nice. You’ve got no room to talk, stud. Remember last night?”

Trip started to object, but Clay and River arrived just in time. “Who’s hungry?” Clay asked, pulling a large picnic basket from the back of the truck.

River tucked her arm into Clay’s as they joined the group. “You are, my love, always.”

“That I am.” Clay kissed River lightly, and they stared lovingly at each other until Grace broke the spell.

“Well, I think the new additions should wait here until Clay, Trip, and I set the stage.” When Trip and Clay nodded, the three of them headed toward the river with the picnic baskets and coolers. “We’ll call you in a few minutes. No peeking.”

“No promises,” Dani said.

Clay and Trip spread blankets on the ground at their usual spot near the edge of the water and close to the rope swing while Grace unpacked containers of food and drinks. “How’s everything going, Clay?” Grace asked.

“Great. River and I have moved everything we need from New York into Eve’s old house. We’ll still jet back and forth for shows and such, but otherwise, this is our home.”

“Sweet,” Trip said. “Jamie and Petunia are moving in next week. We won’t even need gas masks for P anymore since her surgery. I’m expanding my business with a new partner. Life is good. What about you, Gracie?”

“Dani and I might need a bigger place than the cottage, but not right away.”

“Kids?” Clay asked.

“Cool your jets. That’s down the road. Can we have a honeymoon period first?”

When the preparations were complete, they walked toward the edge of the water, Grace sandwiched between her two princes. “Our little Pine Cone corner of the world appears to be growing. Are we ready for this?”

“Totally,” Trip said, her expression growing serious. “I’ve loved Jamie since college, and I’m still staggered that circumstances brought her back to me for a second chance. I want us to experience everything and grow old together.”

“I feel the same about River,” Clay said. “Gracie?”

She slid her arms around their waists and pulled them closer. “This spot has always been special to us. It’s time to share it and the rest of our lives with the women we love.”