I jumped in surprise as he lunged at me, hauling me off my seat as he stood up. My feet left the ground and I clung to him as he held me tight, his face buried in my neck.
Eventually he lowered me to the ground and pulled back to cup my face in his hands.
“I take it you’re happy, then?” I smiled, tears shining in my eyes.
“Understatement, babe,” he whispered.
“I want a hug!” Maia pushed up against us, wrapping her arms around us both in the tight confines of the row.
I laughed as Logan slid an arm around us both and grinned like a little boy.
“Uh, move over, people!” Chloe huffed, ducking under his arm to get to me. “Let the best friend through.”
“This really has nothing to do with you, Chloe,” Logan teased her as she snuggled into me.
“Oh boy.” She shook her head at him as if she felt sorry for him. “You really need to learn faster than you’re learning. The best friend… that would be moi” – she gestured to herself – “is always included in everything that is not the actual sex.”
“And that’s the moment ruined for me.” Maia wrinkled her nose.
Logan snorted. “I think it’s just ruined, period.”
Chloe stuck her nose up in the air. “I’m not listening to your negativity. I’m going to go and get water for my beautiful and glowing best friend. I thought there was something different about you tonight.”
I nodded. “Uh-huh. Sure you did.”
She pushed back out of the circle and grabbed for Ed, dragging him out of the row and back up the stairs in search of drinks.
After hugging Juno and Charlie, I sat back down on my seat, this time with Logan’s arm around my shoulders.
We were silent as we all took in the significance of the news and of the moment.
And then Logan said, “Best rugby game ever.”
“Nothing can ruin this moment,” Maia added.
“Not even England beating Scotland?” Juno teased.
“Not even Charlie,” Logan said pointedly.
“Aw, thank you, sir,” Charlie said, sounding genuinely pleased.
At that I burst out laughing, falling into belly-aching giggles, and the sound was so infectious I took Logan, Maia, Charlie, and Juno with me.
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
Writing the conclusion to this series has been nothing short of insanely emotional. These characters have become like family and saying good-bye to the series has given me both joy and sadness. The On Dublin Street series has been a journey, and I’ve been very lucky to share that journey with some wonderful people.
A massive thank-you to my fabulous agent, Lauren Abramo. You believed in it from the start and have worked incredibly hard for it and for me, as well as encouraged, supported, and driven me from day one. Thank you for all that you do. I can’t wait for what’s over that horizon!
To my editor, Kerry Donovan: I remember the day I got your e-mail about On Dublin Street. You made a dream come true. Thank you for loving these characters as much as I do, and for making each book better than I ever thought they could be. It is a complete and utter pleasure to work with you.
A huge thank-you to Erin Galloway and the entire team at New American Library for all your hard work on the series. You are all rock stars.
Moreover thank you to Anna Boatman at Piatkus for really believing in the series and in me. It means a lot to me. And thank you to Clara Diaz and the team at Piatkus for working so hard to get the books into the readers’ hands.
These last few years writing the series have been a roller coaster of a ride, and along the way, I’ve gained new friends, readers, and bloggers. Thank you to those readers and bloggers, to Club 39, to Samantha Young (Official), and to everyone who has ever sent me a tweet, an e-mail, or a social media message letting me know how much you’ve enjoyed the series. I cherish every single one.
And finally I must thank my friends and family, who remind me what is important in life. Every one of you has impacted this series in some way. Your humor, your heart, your struggles, your compassion, and your strength have touched me and in turn touched the pages I write upon.
HERO
Don’t miss the exciting
stand-alone contemporary romance
from bestselling author Samantha Young!
Available now from Piatkus.
Read on for a special preview.
E
than led me into Caine’s office the next afternoon and I was surprised to find Caine not behind his desk but standing in front of the floor-to-ceiling windows staring out over High Street and Atlantic Avenue to the harbor beyond.
With his back to me, I stole that moment to fully appreciate Caine Carraway without him knowing it. So yeah, I couldn’t see his face, which was the best part, but with him standing with his hands in his trouser pockets, legs braced, shoulders relaxed, the view was delicious enough for me. His height, those broad shoulders, and let’s not forget that ass.
That was a mighty fine ass.
When the seconds ticked by without a response from him, I began to feel like a high school nerd waiting for the captain of the football team to pay attention to her.