I glanced at Seth, my mouth hanging open in shock. When had he done this? From how well he looked, it had to have been a few weeks before our trip. Seth shrugged, looking as confused as I was.
“I’m not sure if you’re aware, but my best friend has been pining over this girl for the last fourteen years. I get it. I mean, she’s pretty hot. But he never made a move because he cared too much about my happiness. And Em . . .” He laughed and shook his head, staring directly down the lens of the camera. “What can I say about Em? She’s put me first for so long that this is the only way I can think of to repay her.”
He glanced down, wetting his lips before continuing.
“So this is what I’m going to do: everything in my power to help them find each other. I want to die knowing that the girl I love is going to continue to be loved. I wish so bad that it was me who was getting to grow old with her, but it’s not. Life sucks, and Em has suffered enough. I know it’s going to be hard for you to understand, but please, Mom, please promise me you will try. You’ve lost me, please don’t lose them too.” He smiled at the screen. “I love you.”
Deb stood up and ejected the disc. Her eyes were red and wet. So were mine.
“I’ve watched this about twenty times now,” she admitted, wiping her eyes. “And every time I feel like I’ve let him down by shutting you out.”
I stood up and walked over to her, wrapping my arms around her shoulders.
She began to sob. “I’m sorry, Em. I’m so sorry.”
“Shh, it’s okay.” I glanced at Seth over her shoulder. He smiled at me, and right away I knew he was proud of me. “We understand, Deb. We really do. I’m just so glad to hear from you.”
She pulled away from me and smiled, pushing her blonde hair from her eyes. “We have a lot of catching up to do, don’t we?” she whispered.
“We do,” I smiled.
***
Seth took my hand and pulled me into his arms. After spending the afternoon with Deb, we were back at my house—really our house, considering how much time he’d been spending there.
I giggled as his arms curled around my back, sneaking up under my skirt, his fingers brushing over my bare skin. I shivered, leaning up to kiss him.
“I love you, Em. I really fucking love you,” he said, his voice husky. His lips found mine again in another deep kiss. “I feel like the luckiest man in the world.”
“I love you too,” I smiled, drinking in his kisses.
When I fell in love with Andy, I thought that life could not get any better. I’d been through so much with losing my parents, but somehow, we had found something so wonderful and so rare—an unconditional love for each other.
When I found out he was dying, my whole world crumbled. I couldn’t imagine ever feeling happiness again. But somehow, through all that pain, Andy had brought Seth and I together.
Every second of every day I had Andy to thank for helping me find Seth, because without his love and support—and his not-so-subtle little push—Seth and I just wouldn’t be.
Epilogue
Dear Andy,
I miss you so much. Every day I wish I could pick up the phone and call you, just to hear your voice. I have so much to tell you, so I thought I’d write it down and hope that you can see it from up there.
So much has happened, I don’t even know where to begin. After two years, Seth Finally asked me to marry him. I said yes. The wedding will be in June; just a small event, basically just his family and yours. You know I’ve never enjoyed the spotlight.
You would have been proud of him and how he asked me, it was all very romantic. He went all out, arranging a big scavenger hunt that had me racing all over town looking for clues. I was sure I looked like an idiot—but I didn’t care. At the final point, he was there, waiting down on one knee with your grandmother’s engagement ring. He had wanted me to have a piece of you. He never lets me forget you.
We talk about you all the time as if you are still here. What Andy would think about this, or what you would say about that. Sometimes I can almost fool myself into imagining you’re not really gone, and that any moment you’ll walk through the door and take me in your arms. I miss your hugs, and your kisses, and the way you could always make me laugh. I miss you.
So that’s what’s happening with me. Seth made partner at the firm, and we just put a deposit on a new house. We need the extra room with the baby coming. Oh, that’s right, I haven’t mentioned that yet.
I’m 28 weeks along, with a little boy. We know he’s a gift you’ve sent to us; a piece of you for us to love and watch grow. That’s why we are going to name him Andrew. Every day, I will look at him and remember you.
I love you and miss you,
Forever yours,
Em xx
Acknowledgements
So many people for me to thank, I apologize in advance if I miss you. First and foremost, thank you to my family for their wonderful support. I wouldn’t be where I am today without them.
Thank you to my readers. Every day I am humbled by all of you. The emails, the messages I receive blow me away. It’s the best feeling in the world hearing someone enjoyed your book.
Thanks to my wonderful street team for spreading the word about Out of Reach. You guys all rock! A big thanks to my beta readers, Kylie, Stephannie, Kristine, Kristin and my mum. Your feedback helped make this book.
A huge special thanks to three of the best authors in the world, Alison, Mia and Moose. Thanks to you guys for all your support and help. You guys are amazing.
Out of Reach Page 15
