He exhales, a shaky breath that sounds like relief and joy all at once. He slides the ring onto my finger, and when he stands, I throw my arms around him like I’ll never let go again.

And then—I hear it. Applause.

I pull back, blinking, and turn to find people clapping. And not just people. Alex’s parents and all of his siblings.

And then my person. Violet.

They step out from the edges of the park where they’d been hiding in plain sight, beaming.

Violet rushes in, laughing, teary-eyed, and wraps me in a hug. “My bestie is getting married.”

I glance to the side and spot a man holding a video camera, a woman snapping photos—and it hits me. A videographer. A photographer.

I look back at Alex, shaking my head in disbelief. “I cannot believe you pulled this off.”

He smiles, that lazy, pleased-with-himself grin that always wrecks me. His arms slide around my waist again, pulling me in.

“Well, I had help from Violet.”

I laugh through the lingering tears. “Of course you did.”

He leans back enough to look me in the eye, his tone gentling. “I wasn’t sure how you’d feel about who was here tonight. Things with Robin and Charlene are… complicated. But I didn’t want you to have my whole family here and none of yours. I invited them. They said they had other plans.”

“Story of my life. So yeah. That sounds about right.”

“I’m sorry, babe.”

“I’m not.” I reach up, brushing my fingers along his jaw. “It’s okay because your family is now my family.”

As if on cue, the Sebrings make their way over—Elias leading the charge with that big, goofy grin of his. Malie crying, arms already open for a hug. His father gives me a smile that makes me feel safe. Like I belong.

And maybe for the first time in my life… I do.

They surround me in a bubble of laughter, warmth, and welcome—no performance, no show. Just love. The kind that doesn’t ask for anything in return.

I look over at Alex—my fiancé—and something in my chest settles. This isn’t just a special moment.

This is our beginning.

Alex and Magnolia’s story continues in

Beloved Beauty

Alex and Magnolia Book 3

(The Beauty Series Book 6)

About the Author

Georgia Cates is a New York Times, USA Today, and Wall Street Journal bestselling author—and a former labor and delivery nurse who now delivers swoony love stories instead of babies. A lifelong reader and proud cat wrangler of three, she writes romance with heart, heat, and a dash of Southern charm. Originally from rural Mississippi, she’s married to her best friend and is the proud mom of two amazing daughters.

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