Lit Up by My Brother’s Best Friend (Lit Creek #1)

Epilogue

SIERRA

A Little While Later

I can’t believe this is my life. Hunter’s arms are wrapped around me as I lean against his rock hard chest sipping my iced cinnamon latte. He’s everything I dreamed he was and more. He’s caring and affectionate with me and encourages me in my life goals. Ahem—even when those goals include trying new recipes that don’t exactly succeed. But you know I had to try making cinnamon matcha cookies at least once in my life.

Anyway, he’s the best boyfriend ever, and we’re so happy together. We already knew each other’s families, so that was an easy transition. Moving in together had a couple of hiccups, and the first one almost devastated me. The man looked gorgeous making me banana chocolate chip pancakes, but then—I can’t believe I’m saying this—he cracked an egg…and yes, you know what’s coming…he washed the egg yoke from his fingers off into the towel. I nearly died. Again. These near-death experiences are accumulating. Anyway…needless to say, no one’s perfect, but oh, so close! We had a chat and he agreed that his actions were vulgar and would never do it again. I trust him to do the right thing .

Everything else has been incredible. I love living with him, and I can totally see my future with him. But I’m trying not to get too ahead of myself. I mean, c’mon, my last relationship lasted ten years and moved at a snail’s pace, so anything feels faster than that. Just trying to keep my head on.

Today we’re having a picnic in one of the many green spaces in Lit Creek, and a few people have shown up to join us. My brother’s here. Oh, and thankfully we talked about why he was so upset that morning. Apparently it had nothing to do with me and Hunter getting together. Wyatt was worried about me and always wants to be the one to take care of me. Thankfully he’s willing to relinquish that control. And not just to Hunter, but to me. (Since I’m an adult and all.) Also, he had heard early news about the wildfire, and he thought that Hunter had missed the calls. Anyway, it was all a bit of a mess, but it’s all worked out now.

Hunter’s brothers are all here too, and so is Georgie. Come to think of it, his whole family is here. Almost like he planned it.

“Hey, what do you think about that list I gave you?” Hunter asks.

“What list?”

“The Never Have I Ever list.”

“Oh, you were serious about it?”

“Did you even read it? I know for a fact that if you did, your cheeks would be flaming about now. And there it is. That firetruck red is staining your cheeks in the prettiest way. You’re the most gorgeous woman I know. You’re also the kindest, sweetest, and most determined person I’ve met. You started your own business and are so good at everything you do, Sweets. It still makes me chuckle to picture you climbing that fence and getting stuck. But man am I glad that you tried to be such a badass.” His smile turns into a chuckle.

“What are you laughing about? ”

“Just you.”

“Mhmmm. That seems to be a habit of yours.”

“It’s a good one. I promise. So about that list. Don’t deflect.”

“Alright. Ya I read it.” My blush deepens. “And I like it.”

“All of it?”

“Ya. What’s not to like? Prank call. Eat an entire pizza by myself. Dance in the rain.”

“I noticed you left out a few; namely one involving a blindfold.” He whispers more into my ear.

“Yes. We can try that too.” I rub myself into his chest like I’m burrowing right into his heart.

“Well, I have a new list I wanted to give you.”

“Another one?”

“Ya. Tell me what you think.”

“Okay.”

“It’s just tucked into the book I left on the picnic table. Can you grab it?”

“Sure.” I pop up and make my way over. When I turn back to him, my heart is in my throat. I look in his adoring eyes and gasp. He’s down on one knee. Does this mean what I think it does? I read aloud the only item on the list. “Get married?”

“You’re my dream, Sierra. I know it sounds crazy, but I’ve waited a long time and I don’t think I can wait any longer. That night when you told me you were single, I swear I choked on something. Saliva? Air? I don’t know. Perhaps a ray of freaking sunshine I could suddenly feel in my life. Don’t ask me how someone chokes on sunshine. And I know, it was night. And we were indoors. But trust me. I could literally feel rays of sunshine popping up around us on the couch.”

I giggle with tears that I can feel rimming my eyes.

“You’re the only one brave enough to enter my cave of darkness and still be light. I love you so much. I want you to have my babies. I want you to be the mother of my children. I want to start a family with you. I want to try everything that you bake. Even matcha cinnamon cookies. I promise to never wipe raw egg yoke into the towels. I want us to spend our lives experiencing new things together. Will you marry me?”

“Yes,” I say. I’m sobbing as I wrap myself around his body. His brothers are all cheering. And Wyatt slaps me on the back.

“About time,” he grins.

“Congrats you guys,” Jack says, giving us some more hard thumps on the back. His phone is suddenly to his ear though. “I’m so sorry I have to take off. There’s an issue with my next client. I have to go check on this tour to make sure everything’s okay.”

“No worries. We’ll talk later.”

Jack runs to his car and takes off.

“Hopefully it’s nothing too serious,” I say.

“He’s a big boy. He can take care of himself.”

Well, that’s true. Jack might be the biggest of all of Hunter’s brothers. Which helps him since he basically lives in the mountains by himself.

“Enough about Jack.” Hunter kisses my neck. “I can’t wait to marry you.”

“Mmm…I love the sound of that. Oh wait—”

“Nope. Sorry. No backsies now.”

“Okay. But just one thing. We’ll have cinnamon pies at the wedding, right?”

“I wouldn’t have it any other way.”

Hunter is everything I’ve ever wanted. He loves me. Lavishes his attention on me. He loves our life, and he wants to make a future together. He’s the most delicious man I’ve ever laid eyes on, and he’s all mine. Yum!

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Want more of Sierra and Hunter? Check out this Bonus .

Don't miss book 2 in the Lit Creek series, Jack's story, Lit Up by My Second Chance .

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