He always was that way. Very serious and reserved. But now he's giving us all a small smile and nod.
He comes up to Lucas and me first, and he says, “Congratulations to you both.”
He holds out his hand for Lucas, and Lucas only hesitates for a split second before he takes Carlos's hand and shakes it.
I can tell he means it. And that makes me smile inside and out.
Then Carlos shakes my hand, and Naomi is giving each of us a hug.
"This is my wife, Naomi,” Carlos says.
"Nice to meet you all,” she says. She gives Jimmy and Mayra a hug too.
I don’t know why, but I immediately like her. She's the kind of person that smiles with her eyes as well as her mouth.
I quickly introduce Jimmy and Mayra to her.
“Well, we just wanted to say congratulations to all of you. It was nice to finally meet you all,” Naomi says.
I can tell they're about to walk away, but something stops me.
"Wait," I say. They both turn around and look at me. Everybody else is looking at me too. "Come to dinner with us. We’d love to catch up." I say.
That catches everyone by surprise. Carlos and I never ended on good terms. But something inside me is telling me that he's a new person now. And that this is the right thing to do.
"Yeah, join us,” Lucas says with a genuine smile. He puts his arm around my waist, and I look at him.
I've never been more love with him in my life. He is perfect.
Jimmy and Mayra also speak up, asking Carlos and Naomi to come to dinner with us, and that’s when we finally see Naomi and Carlos's face go from unsure to nodding in agreement. "Okay, we would be happy to join you, then,” Naomi says.
"Thanks for inviting us,” Carlos says.
"So where to?" Jimmy asks.
Just then, we see Ryan and his girlfriend come out. I thought that was him earlier except I hadn’t had a chance to stop and see if it really was him.
Jimmy calls them over and asks them to tag along too.
"Ryan? Is that you?” I ask. He looks great, almost unrecognizable.
They both walk over, a little blond boy in tow.
“This is Krista. And Miles,” he says after hugging Mayra and me. “My girlfriend and son.”
“They make the cutest couple ever, don't they?” Mayra asks me.
I nod. “Too cute.”
“It’s like a reunion,” Jimmy tells everyone with a smile, and we laugh.
The ice is immediately broken.
And with that, I take Lucas's hand. Jimmy takes Mayra's, Ryan takes Krista’s, and Carlos takes Naomi's.
As we chat and decide where we want to go eat together, I wonder how life became so perfect for all of us.
Author’s Note
So this is it. The end of the Changing Hearts series. Thank you SO MUCH for sticking with me until the end.
This series means so much to me because it was my first, and now it’s complete. It took about four years from the time I started Better Off until now, where I’ve reached the end with Until Forever.
These characters are so special, and it was a lot of fun (although also heart-breaking at times) to go on this last adventure through them.
Everyone deserves a happily ever after, so it was a huge pleasure to make that happen with this book. Diving into each character’s mind and heart was definitely my favorite part.
I’m still not sure what’s next for me, but I sincerely hope you’ll join me :)
Start the Matters of the Heart Series!
Have you read my other young adult romance series yet? If you enjoyed the Changing Hearts series, you’ll love this one as well!
Download the first book, When You Came Back, now: books2read.com/whenyoucameback
Two childhood friends, their blossoming romance, and the tragic secret that stands in their way...
Katia just saw the last person she’d ever expect.
Brian, who she hasn’t seen since they were nine years old. Because he moved away without saying goodbye.
Brian, who was her best friend in fourth grade and made her laugh and made forts with her in the woods.
Who left her alone when she needed him most.
Now he’s back. Her best friend, Adam, isn’t thrilled.
Except Brian’s completely different than she remembers.
He’s not the boy next door anymore. There’s a darkness inside him, and he won’t tell her what caused it.
But Katia knows the Brian she remembers is still inside there somewhere.
She’s seen a flicker of it in his eyes when he comes in close and tells her to stay away. She’s determined to find the real Brian.
And to find out what happened.
Download When You Came Back at books2read.com/whenyoucameback
Become a VIP Reader & Download Your Free Book!
I’ll send you the full-length prequel to the Changing Hearts series for free as a small thank you when you sign up for my email list :)
This book cannot be purchased or downloaded anywhere else, and I’d normally charge $5 for it, but this is a special gift just for my VIP readers!
You’ll also have exclusive access to free advanced review copies, VIP reader giveaways, and sneak peeks of what I’m working on next.
Before Ariana met Lucas, there was Carlos… Read their story now.
Sign up at yeseniavargas.com/cfreebook/
Don’t Forget to Leave a Review!
If you enjoyed this book and would like to see more books from me, make sure to write a review (just a couple sentences is okay)!
Reviews help other readers find my books, so thank you in advance!
Happy reading,
Yesenia
Acknowledgments
Thank you to each and every person who helped me on this journey and played a part in writing and publishing this entire series.
You mean the world to me.
Thank you to my family and friends for the incredible support. Special shoutout to both of my daughters. Love you.;/
About the Author
I write young adult fiction about teens who are figuring out what it means to make your own choices.
When I'm not writing, I enjoy reading, spending time with family, staying fit, and binge-watching Netflix. In 2013, I graduated from the University of Georgia, the first in my family to go to college.
I live in Georgia with my husband and two precious little girls. I also blog at writermom.net
Check out what I’m up to and grab your free book at yeseniavargas.com.
Also by Yesenia Vargas
The Changing Hearts Series
Better Off (Prequel)
Without You (#1)
All In (#2)
Letting Go (#3)
Until Forever (#4)
Matters of the Heart Series
When You Came Back (#1)
I’ll Be Here (#2)
Someday (#3)
Find all the download links and book descriptions as well as a complete list of my most recent books at yeseniavargas.com/books/
Until Forever (Changing Hearts Book 4) Page 10
