The Evolution of Ivy: Antidote (The Evolution of Ivy, Volume 2)

by Lauren Campbell

  Tears spill from my eyes, and I’m a mess of sobs as he urges me back up and takes my hand again. “Ivy, I love you. I’ve always loved you. You were my best friend then, you’re my best friend now, and I’ve spent the last month doing my best to wait until today.”

  I shake my head at him, confused, and he grins at me.

  “Today is the first day we met—in Mr. Archibald’s class.” He laughs as a tear falls from my cheek. “It hasn’t been easy, and you went a little crazy there for a bit...” he says, providing us with comic relief, “but you are my soul mate. You never gave up on us, and I promise I won’t either—if you will accept.” He reaches into his pocket, producing a red velvet box, a round halo ring glinting inside. He takes it, pinching it between his fingers as he grabs for my left hand. “So, Ivy Hobbs … will you marry me?”

  I blink away my tears. Stretch my fingers apart, and frown. “Hmm. I don’t know,” I say, before shrieking. “Are you kidding? Of course I will. Yes, yes, yes! Put it on me!”

  He slips it on my finger, and I stare at it, absolutely in love with it. He stands, and his arms wrap around my back before he kisses me, our tongues searching for each other, our souls finally connected in the way destiny intended.

  Throats clear. I look over to see Grandma.

  “I may be old, but I ain’t totally blind yet,” she says. “Get a room.”

  A laugh erupts in the distance. I turn my eyes toward the source and find … Jared, who has been recording the whole damn thing!

  Brooks kisses me on the cheek, and then walks to Grandma Sarah, dropping to his knee once again. “I have something for you, too, Grandma.”

  She beams, her eyes sparkling as he pulls out the mini figurine. “It’s your Asian Jesus.”

  He places it in her hand, and she brings it close to her eyes, inspecting it all over. “Well, I’ll take it, but I’m not gonna marry ya.”

  We all laugh, Brooks’s head turning back to me as he gets off the ground, unquestionable adoration, love, and forgiveness in his eyes as we lock gazes. We walk toward each other, meeting in the middle, his hands softly gripping my cheeks. “So, I don’t know how you would feel about it, but I kind of …sort of … already planned our honeymoon. But if you hate it, we can pick somewhere else, no problem.”

  “Wow, I just got the ring, and you already have our post-wedding vacay mapped out?”

  He cocks his head, mischief in his smile.

  “Well, where is it? Where are we going?”

  “I was thinking we could go to Chengdu and see the pandas together.”

  I gasp, stopping dead in my tracks. “Brooks! That’s … that’s perfect. I love you.”

  “I love you, too, babe.”

  Our lips crush together, more grumbling from behind us as we drown them out, drunk in our love. When we break away, he plants a kiss on my forehead before we gaze into each other’s eyes. I feel so lucky to accept this ring without lies, without deception, and with his full forgiveness, because he remembered the good in me.

  This is the happiest moment of my life, and it’s only the beginning. Brooks was the antidote to the poison I’d become.

  I am going to be Mrs. Jansen.

  I am, I am, I am.

  I would especially like to thank my sons and husband. Your sacrifice of a messy house and pizza too many times during my crazy writing days is appreciated. Let's take a vacation soon. I love you!

  To my besties, Dalicia (Alicia and Devon, Devon and Alicia, Alevon, LOL), I love you both so much. Thank you for being there when I need an ear to scream at.

  To my reader group, my Original Gangsters, thank you from the bottom of my heart. Your support has been instrumental in the success I've had thus far. I couldn't have finished this sequel without your cheers. Every single one of you has been a beacon of light on my down days. I wish I could list you all individually, but know that I love you.

  To my fabulous beta readers, I can't say enough. The time you took to read my story and provide me with your input when I was in tears, ready to pull every hair from my head, break my laptop in an Ivy moment ... it means everything to me. You were there through my frustration and mild (or moderate) tantrums, and I am so grateful.

  To my editor, Madison Seidler, you get the Patience Award. Thank you, thank you, thank you for dealing with my rambling messages, my terrible Word skills, and helping me shape this story. And if any errors are found in this book, trust me, guys ... it's only because of my terribleness. Lol.

  To my favorite, Alessandra Torre, thank you for inspiring me with your amazing writing. Thank you for reading my book and sharing it with your fans. I am forever grateful to you.

  To the ones who believed in me, who always told me to finish the damn book ... Thank you.

  It's our time.

  Lauren Campbell lives in Atlanta, GA, with her family, and is author of The Evolution of Ivy: Poison.

  She was raised in Columbia, SC, with her three sisters who annoy her greatly.

  Lauren’s social life is pretty boring, but she loves reading, coffee & hot tea, and living in her pajamas. She’s a glutton for punishment, and regrettably signs up for things like Room Mom in her children’s classes, leaving her up all night doing things like baking dozens of cookies between swear words. Her favorite food is avocado. If she could, she’d find a way to put it on everything.

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