She heard the celebratory pop of a champagne cork and then another coming from the kitchen.

“Maggie?” Cody was standing in the doorway, looking impossibly dapper in a shirt and tie.

“Hey,” she said with a smile at the rush of pride she felt for him.

“They’re ready for you out front,” he said, shoving his hands in his pockets.

“You look great,” she said.

He beamed down at her. “Thanks,” he said, smoothing a hand over the tie. “Think Jun will like it?”

“She’ll love it,” she predicted.

“Maggie!” Dean yelled from outside. “Get your ass out here!”

“Guess we should go,” Cody said.

“One second. I’m really proud of you, Cody. And I guess I just want you to know that. Whatever you decide to do with your life, I know it’s going to be great, and I want you to know I have your back.”

He cleared his throat and seemed keenly interested in the tips of his loafers. “Thanks, Maggie.”

A chant had started outside. “Maggie! Maggie! Maggie!”

“One other thing. I hope this isn’t weird, but I love you.” She said the words in a rush. “Okay. Let’s get out there.”

“Wait. I, uh, guess I kind of love you, too,” he confessed.

She gave him a brisk nod and tried not to blink. “Cool.”

“Yeah. Cool.”

Some joker rang the doorbell, and the gothic organ music made them both laugh. He held out his hand, and she accepted it. “Let’s go.”

Things were going to change when she stepped out on that porch, and she was suddenly ready to take the plunge. With a fond backward glance at the photo on the mantel, Maggie stepped into her future.

Dean met her on the porch. A bow-tied Kevin sat at his feet, basking in the attention.

The cheer that went up from the men and women assembled in front of the house was deafening. Dean had hired a local film crew to help, since it was a big shoot with so many moving parts. Two camera people buzzed around, shooting different angles.

“You ready?” Dean asked her.

“Yeah. I am.”

The waitstaff marched out, trays of champagne held aloft. Maggie accepted a glass and only then did she let her gaze roam the crowd.

She found Silas immediately. She always would. Because there was something that connected her to the tall, handsome landscaper staring at her. And she just had to accept it. She felt the buzz between them. The frustration. The need. The hurt. The way he looked like he was ready to devour her. The way she felt ready to be devoured.

“That’s everyone,” the head server whispered to Maggie as they headed back into the house with empty trays.