Happily Ever After: A Day in the Life of the HEA (Rook and Ronin #3.5) by J.A. Huss Read Free Book Online

in the back that you get to through the alley, but on Christmas Eve there are so many people lined up to get cookies and stuff, they take over the front too.
    I keep a tight hold on Rory’s hand and lead her and Oliver through the crowd until we reach the hostess.
    “Hey, you guys,” Rose Ameci says as we walk up. We’ve gone to school with her for as long as I can remember. “You here for lunch?”
    “Yes,” I say. “Table for three.”
    “I thought you guys go to Vail for Christmas?”
    “We do,” Oliver says. “But we’re pulling a Ferris Bueller today.”
    I look down at Oliver. “What do you know about Ferris Bueller?”
    “Ronin had an Eighties day at the theater last summer and he’s been obsessed with Ferris ever since,” Princess says. “You missed it. You were at college last summer.”
    I frown, but Rose laughs and says, “Well, I’ll help you out and give you the works.” She winks at me and I look over at Rory. Rose had a thing for me back in elementary school.
    But Rory plays it cool and says, “Thanks, Rose. Five and I are celebrating our engagement today.” She holds up her bouquet of flowers. “I caught it. Which means we’re destined to be married.”
    I might blush at that.
    She squeezes my hand again.
    “They’re gonna kiss tonight,” Oliver says. “My dad is going to kill him afterward, but it will be worth it.”
    “Oliver,” Rory squeals. But when she looks at me, her ears are a little pink.
    God, my life would be complete if I could end this day with a kiss from Rory.
    Rose gives us a huff for that last remark, but she does lead us over to the best table in the restaurant. It overlooks the street, and we have a full view of all the festive decorations and people in downtown.
    I pull out Rory’s chair and she sits, glancing up at me with a smile. Oliver takes the seat next to her and I sit across, so I never have to take my eyes off her as we start our first date.
    “What else should we do with our day?” Oliver asks.
    “What should we do, Five?” Rory asks, smiling that smile that has lit up my life for as long as I can remember. “Make it good,” she says. “Make it count. Make me never forget it, so that when you leave me behind next month, I have this day to remember you by.”
    My heart hurts a little just thinking about leaving. I swallow hard. “We could go on a carriage ride around downtown.” She loves horses.
    “Yes,” she whispers. “That’s perfect.”
    “And then…” I rack my brain for more ideas on the perfect date. “And then we could go ice skating on the little rink they put near the Santa Claus house in the shopping district.”
    “I want to see Santa Claus!” Oliver squeals. “Can we stop and see Santa Claus?”
    “Sure,” I say, never taking my eyes off my princess. “And then we can stop at that art gallery they have on Mountain and College. I hear there’s a new exhibit.”
    “I’d love that. My mom’s been talking about it all week.”
    “And then we’ll get that present for the Bomb and maybe it will be dark early tonight, and we’ll get to see the lights come on?”
    “I love the lights at Christmas,” Rory says, her gaze wistfully redirecting to the decorations outside.
    “Me too,” Oliver says.
    “It’s going to be the perfect day, Five,” Rory says, bringing her attention back to me.
    “I’ll make sure it is,” I say back. And maybe, just maybe, we will have our first kiss. Maybe it will even be out under the lights. Maybe we’ll stand right in front of the town Christmas tree.
    Maybe.
     
     

Chapter Ten
     

    “What the hell is he doing?” I ask Kate as I ski up to her. I’ve been looking for them for over an hour. “And why the fuck didn’t he text me back? I’ve been messaging him for like forty-five minutes.” I stop and stare at Ford. “Is he…”
    “Signing autographs,” Kate answers, staring down at a clipboard. “Yup,” she says with a small chuckle.
    “Why?” I ask.
    “Oh,