Happenstance 3 (Happenstance #3)(37)
Author: Jamie McGuire

“Yes, she is!”

When they released me, they expectantly watched Weston and me.

In answer, Weston slid his arm around my shoulders, pulling me to his side, and I reached my arms around his middle, interlacing my fingers.

Julianne clasped her hands together, more than just pleased. She pulled us both into a hug.

“Well?” Sam said. “Come in, come in. Julianne’s baked a turkey so big that we can just warm up the leftovers next turkey day.”

My parents led the way, hand in hand, but Weston tugged on my fingers, asking me to stay behind.

He wrapped me in his arms to ward off the cold, his breath puffing out in white wisps. “I wouldn’t let myself hope that I’d be walking into your parents’ house with you in my arms.”

Weston reached down, letting the small silver heart he’d had made for me months ago slide over his palm and fingers until it fell gently back into place.

“I don’t know how we made it work,” he said. “It could have all been coincidence, or maybe it was meant to be, but I know I’m not taking any more chances.”

“It’s by chance that I have my parents back,” I said, rolling up on the balls of my feet to touch my lips to his.

He closed his eyes tight, savoring the moment. “And by some miracle, I got a second chance.”

“We got a second chance,” I said.

He reached into his pocket and sighed. “You don’t have to wear this,” he said, holding up his class ring. “I just want you to have it.”

I held up my left hand, and his emerald eyes glowed.

“Really?”

When I nodded, he chuckled nervously, and then he slipped the ring over my knuckle. It fit perfectly, and he beamed with pride.

“Show me your palm,” he said.

I turned my hand, and etched in black to match the other markings was the word that described my life, our love, and everything in between. It was my favorite word in existence.

HAPPENSTANCE

The End.