I hand the microphone to the woman beside me, who’s watching us like we’re her favorite soap opera. “I’m here.”

“I should’ve told you that I knew Alice. That was my plan when I first walked into the Book Nook. I was going to tell you I knew her and give you my condolences.” He stops, not aware of anyone around us, and he reaches for my hands—a question in his cautious movement that I answer when I touch my palms to his. A small smile pulls at his lips, but I hardly notice it when I see his eyes shimmer with tears, relief so stark across his face that everyone around us lets out a collective sigh. “But then I saw you,” he continues, and now I’m the one who wants to cry. “And I forgot everything other than I wanted to get to know you. Other than . . . I wanted to be your hero.”

“Jasper, I didn’t need you to save me.” I shake my head, because that was part of the problem. “I can take care of myself. I just needed you to stand by my side, supporting me as I figure things out.”

“I know.” He says those two small words like they have been pulled from the deepest part of his soul. “You’re the most amazing person I’ve ever known. You’re smart, talented, adventurous, and heartbreakingly beautiful. You push me to do things I never thought I could do, and nobody makes me laugh harder. And”—he tightens his grip on my hands—“I love you.”

My vision fogs over and not just because Jasper loves me.

But because I know he sees me. All of me. I’ve shown him the messy, ugly bits that I spent my entire life trying to hide from people, yet here we are.

And he loves me.

“I love you too,” I tell him again, just a little more direct this time. “I know I’m new to this grand gesture thing, but at the end of your book, Liam and Isabella kiss, so I think that’s next.”

“You read my book?”

I read five.

“I did. And while I can see the appeal of Jasper Williams, Author”—I roll onto my toes, needing to get closer to his mouth—“I have to tell you, Jasper Williams, Boyfriend, is way, way better.”

He grins down at me, but I only see it for a second before his mouth is on mine and whoops and applause surround us.

Who would’ve thought that I, of all people, would end up with a love that’s even better than fiction?

Talk about a plot twist.

EPILOGUE

“You sure you’ll be okay without me for a couple of weeks?” I ask Daisy.