“While we were waiting for you, I was able to lock down some more research dates with Cary,” my dad said. I gave Cary a look, and he just shrugged happily.

After he sold the painting to the Pearce, my dad had done a follow-up story, and then an entire profile. It had turned into a huge news moment. Everyone loved the hook—the unrecognized painting, the millions just hanging on a wall, the chance by which it was discovered. He was now considering a book, about unexpected discoveries of all different kinds, and as a result was spending a lot of time with my boyfriend. But they got along great, which I loved, even as I pretended to be annoyed.

My mom had taken him under her wing and introduced him to financial people, who set up trusts and funds and all kinds of things to protect him and his sudden windfall and keep most of it tied up in investments. But college—and any grad school—would be more than covered. And his aunt and uncle had retired and moved upstate to a house Cary bought for them. We’d gone to visit last week; his uncle still took credit for setting this all in motion when his car broke down in Pennsylvania, but Cary had just looked at me and smiled. Both of us knew that if anyone deserved credit… it was Brad.

Cary reached over and took my hand. We were just having fun—seeing where it went, neither of us making any long-term plans. Teri and her boyfriend, Dustin Alberta, were also apparently still going strong, though we had yet to meet him.

I looked down the row, liking what I saw. Stevie’s dad had come in early from the city and had claimed the seats for us as soon as the doors had opened. Which had been a good call, since we took up the whole row—Stevie’s dad, Joy, Stevie’s mom, Margaux, Margaux’s now-wife Allison (they’d eloped last month), Matty, my mom, my dad, Grady, and Cary.

It was a motley group, but it was one I was happy to be among.

“You okay?” Cary whispered to me. I looked over at him and smiled.

“Yeah,” I said as I squeezed his hand. “I’m great.” The lights dimmed, and Cary squeezed my hand back. I heard Matty’s laugh and then a hush fell, and I settled back into my seat.

The show was about to begin.

More from the Author
Save the Date	The Unexpected Everything
Since You've Been Gone	Second Chance Summer
Amy & Roger's Epic Detour

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

© GINA STOCK

MORGAN MATSON was born in New York City and grew up on the Upper West Side. She is the New York Times bestselling author of six books, including Save the Date and Since You’ve Been Gone. She lives in Los Angeles. Visit her at morganmatson.com.

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