Hooked (Never After Series)

Two Years Later

I used to hate the sea.

Not that you would know it from the way I stand on the sundeck of The Tiger Lily, the saltwater breeze blowing on my face.

It’s Wendy’s second year by my side and the first full year as my wife. And she promised she’d finally let me take her out on the water.

She didn’t used to like it either, but I think it’s growing on her now.

I glance to the table where we had our first date, back before I knew she would soon eclipse my world and become the sole reason for my existence. She sits there now, her belly swollen with our second child, the first one just old enough to waddle around on his own.

We didn’t know it then, but she was pregnant when we buried her father.

A little boy. Named Ru.

Jon and her laugh at our baby while he wiggles his hips to music as it croons through the speakers, and a warmth spreads through my chest, happiness infusing every pore.

I never thought I would have this.

A family.

A life.

But then Wendy swept through with her unfailing loyalty and her selfless way of forgiving even the worst of mistakes, and she showed me that even the most damaged of hearts can still learn to love.

Eventually, we’ll have to go back home, of course. I still have an empire to run, and Jon is starting his first week of college to get his engineering degree.

He wants to build planes, of all things.

Shortly after the dust settled on everything, Wendy attempted to get her job back at The Vanilla Bean, but they said no, citing the multiple times she no-showed. Which was my fault, really.

So, I bought it for her.

And before little Ru came along, she spent her days brewing coffee and bonding with her best friends, Angie and Maria.

Maria took a while to come around, but once she started dating Curly, she softened up and these days they’re as thick as thieves.

I look back out on the water, closing my eyes and looking toward the future where adventure awaits, feeling grateful for how far we’ve come.

And to think, it all started with a little bit of faith.

Misplaced trust.

Missing pixie dust.

And a villain who just needed to steal a little love.