60

BECCA

Three years later.

My smile was so wide it felt like it could stretch off my face. I couldn’t help it. This moment meant everything to me.

“Mama, wook!” Emory stood on her tiptoes, pointing ahead excitedly.

“Yes, sweetheart. I see the bookstore.” I picked up my little girl and held her close, feeling the rush of pride and joy. “That’s where we’re going.”

“Yay!” Randall shouted from Evan ’s arms, his voice full of excitement.

Cole moved next to me, gently nudging me through the crowd. “Are you nervous?” His fingers brushed over my arm, a comforting touch that steadied me.

I hesitated for a moment. “A little. It’s a lot to take in.”

Having Emory and Randall had been the most rewarding experience of my life. I loved them beyond words.

It had taken us three months after my story went viral to decide on marriage and moving in together. Now, I wore a gold ring on my finger, and so did each of the three men walking with me.

“Donny Scott said he might stop by,” Evan  spoke from behind me, carrying Randall as we made our way toward the shop. Dave followed, wheeling our suitcase.

My nerves fluttered. “He didn’t have to do that.”

“I think he feels bad about how he reacted,” Cole said, glancing at Emory. “You know.”

I remembered that day clearly. When I refused to transfer schools, Donny had been furious, but I stood my ground. I explained calmly that I would stay in California and continue my relationship with my professors—mine. I loved saying that. In two years, I’d have my creative writing degree, and that mattered more to me than anything. Sure, I had to cut back on classes to care for the twins, but that was okay. The accomplishment meant more than the actual degree now.

The sound of my heels clacking on the sidewalk echoed, joined by the steady roll of the suitcase.

Dave whistled. “Holy…” He trailed off, clearing his throat. “Becca , have you seen the line?”

“No.” I looked up from wiping Emory’s face, which had pretzel salt smeared all over it. When I saw the bookstore, my steps faltered. The line stretched past the neighboring shop and rounded the corner.

“How many people are there?” I almost stopped walking, but Cole’s hand on my back urged me forward. I could do this. I’d been working on overcoming my fear of crowds.

Evan  made airplane noises with Randall, lifting him to my side. “Does it matter? You’re ready for this. Your publisher prepared you. Your book is amazing.”

“You’re a bestselling author,” Dave added, smiling. “You hit number one on release day. Your fans are here because they love your work.”

I still couldn’t believe how this had happened. I’d never imagined it could be real.

Emory tugged at my jacket and pouted, “Books?”

“Yes, sweetie. We’ll look at books,” I smiled, pulling her closer. I couldn’t have done this without the support of everyone around me. After my first serial novel blew up online, I’d been flooded with offers from publishers. I hadn’t known what to do with it all. This was the stuff I’d only ever seen in movies. It didn’t happen to people like me. Or so I thought.

But it had. And for the past three years, I’d been living in a dream.

“Imagine what it’ll be like next year,” Evan  said, glancing back at me as he adjusted Randall on his hip. He still had that mischievous grin that made my heart skip. “Book launch, first signing, and you’re already thinking about your next book. How can you not smile?”

He made Randall giggle by making silly faces, and I couldn’t help but laugh with them.

He’d changed so much since the twins arrived. The gruff exterior was still there, but his heart was laid bare when it came to our kids. Maybe he’d been scared of becoming a father after everything he’d been through, but he was doing it, and he was doing it with so much love.

The crowd cheered as we neared the bookstore. I would’ve hidden my face a year ago, but today, I stood tall. I waved, my heart swelling with pride. The noise was so loud that Emory covered her ears. But everyone calmed down, lowering their voices in a show of respect.

The bookstore owner, someone I’d become close with over the past two years, greeted us at the door. “The table’s all set up, just like you asked. It’s right beside the kids’ corner.”

I looked at the crowd once more, my chest swelling with gratitude. I had come so far, and now I was ready to embrace the next chapter of my life with my family and my future.

“Thank you, Bellamary.” I hugged her with one arm before stepping into the cozy bookstore. The smell of old books mixed with the scent of furniture polish hit me instantly. The shop’s dark, paneled walls and rows upon rows of overflowing oak shelves filled the space. It felt like stepping into another world, one where time stood still. Bellamary even had a shelf of antique first editions under lock and key, something she cursed at but clearly cherished. It warmed my heart to see how she balanced the old and new so perfectly, making me feel at home.

Dave wheeled the suitcase to the table, pulling out pens, stickers, and chocolates from my publisher.

“Breathe.” Cole stood beside me, twisting one of my curls around his finger before letting it go. “You’re going to be fine. We’re all here with you.”

They’d been with me every step of the way. After reading my story, they were all in. I’d asked for their feedback on certain scenes, and their suggestions had made my male characters come to life in ways that my readers now praised as “some of the best ever written.”

I checked the time. “Okay, Emory. You and Randall can go play.”

Emory grabbed Randall’s hand, and they zoomed off to the corner behind the table. Bellamary had set up a little area for them with books, puzzles, and plush toys. It kept them busy for hours. Both of my children loved books—obsessively. Randall would stand in front of a shelf, touching the spines like he could see the story unfold in his mind. Emory, in her yellow dress, dropped onto the circular rug, pulled a book into her lap, and looked like she was ready for an adventure.

“You’ve got about five minutes,” Bellamary said, tapping her watch. “Those first few people have been here since midnight.”

“Did you sleep in the shop?” I asked, shocked when she nodded.

“Had to. People kept stopping by, pestering me about when they could line up.” She winked and backed toward the door. “You’ve got them hooked, sister.”

Cole chuckled and helped Dave organize the pens by color. I’d need silver ones for my new black-page books.

“The line goes all the way down the block,” Bellamary announced as she clapped her hands together. “It’s going to be a good day.”

Breathe. Just breathe. I can do this.

“I’ve got your phone. I’ll be ready when your agent calls.” Evan  waved it in my direction. “And Silvy’s on her way.”

Just as he spoke, a bang came from the back door.

“That’s Silvy,” Evan  said, raising an eyebrow at Bellamary. “Can I let her in? I’ll make sure no one else tries sneaking in.”

Bellamary nodded. “Go ahead. Time’s almost up.” She turned to the crowd and raised two fingers. “Two at a time. If you rush the door, I’ll lock you out. Got it?”

They nodded, and I smiled. I’d trusted Bellamary with this event because she was tough and protective, making sure I wouldn’t be overwhelmed.

Silvy rushed in, her wild curls bouncing. “Sorry! Sorry!” She tossed her bag onto a nearby chair before running over to hug me. “My date with Robert went longer than expected.”

“That’s so unfair. You have to tell me everything!” I pulled her into the chair beside me.

“Later.” She waved me off. “Today’s all about you.”

I smiled. “It’s a little about me.” But I wouldn’t be here without all of them. I kissed each of my men on the cheek. We never tried to hide our relationship anymore. At first, I worried about how it might affect my readers, but then I realized that if they couldn’t accept my personal life, I didn’t need them as readers. It was a harsh truth, but I had learned to embrace it. I had nothing to hide, and I loved my professors. I wouldn’t be ashamed of that.

Evan , Cole, and Dave sat behind me in their sharp business suits, looking so good that it was hard to focus on anything else.

Carrie had promised to watch the kids later, and I was looking forward to making the most of the evening. My men never turned me down when it came to our time together.

“Time,” Bellamary called, and the door swung open for the first of my fans to enter.

This was it. The culmination of all my dreams.

My phone rang, and Evan  answered. A moment later, he jumped to his feet. “Number one. You hit number one again.”

Holy shit.

The cheers from outside were deafening, and I couldn’t help but tear up even as I smiled. I had it all. More than I ever thought possible.

My children were healthy and happy. I had three men who loved me more than I could ever imagine.

And my second book had hit the top spot on the bestseller list on its release day.

This was the best day of my life. Life truly didn’t get better than this.