When I turn, Leland is waiting with both of our coats. This is the first time we’ve been alone since we arrived at FandomTown. Somehow he looks even better now than he did earlier in the evening; there’s a hint of a five o’clock shadow dusting his cheeks, and his hair is back to its usual tousled state. A sense of urgency suddenly rises up in me, telling me I need to speak to him now before I lose my nerve.

  “Can we talk?” I blurt at the same time as Leland says, “Why don’t we go somewhere and talk?”

  Nervous laughter spills out of me as he motions for me to go ahead.

  “Can we talk?” I repeat. “Here? I think I need to sit for a minute before walking all the way through the Village to your car.”

  “Of course.” He hangs our coats back on the coat tree Felicity recently added to the office, then motions to the table and chairs off to the side.

  As soon as we’re sitting, I say, “I wanted to thank you again for the party and for getting my friends involved. You have no idea how much tonight meant to me.”

  “You told me awhile back that you were okay with a low-key celebration and you didn’t expect anything, but you deserve to be celebrated and be surrounded by the people who care about you. You deserve the best of everything, Stella.”

  He reaches out and gently swipes at my cheek with the pad of his thumb. I didn’t even realize I was crying. Again. This night has been an emotional roller coaster.

  “I’ve been doing a lot of thinking the last few weeks, especially since you came back into my life. I’ve come to realize what you said is true: I deserve the best.” I let out a sharp breath. It feels weird acknowledging it out loud. “I didn’t let myself believe it or have it for a long time, but that’s going to change going forward.”

  “Good for you, Stella. I’m proud of you for realizing that.” Leland covers my hand where it rests on the table between us. “Tonight helped me see some things more clearly too. Being at the reunion, then coming here and seeing you so happy, surrounded by loved ones…I love that I got to be a part of it, and it showed me…” His hand tightens on mine and he inches forward, leaning across the table as much as he can. “I want to be a permanent fixture in your life, Stella.”

  “A-as a friend?” I stammer. “I already agreed to let my friends adopt you into our group.”

  He chuckles. “As a friend, yes.”

  Disappointment washes over me. When my hand goes limp in Leland’s, he tightens his grip, covering our joined hands with his free one. “I think the best relationships are built on a foundation of friendship. Someone it’s easy to be with, who makes you laugh, understands you. Sees you.”

  My mind snags on the word ‘relationship’. “What are you saying?”

  “I do want to be your friend, Stella. I want to be your best friend, the person you turn to and share things with. But I want more. I want to build a life with you, be there for you, show you every day just how amazing you are. I’ve loved being your fake boyfriend, but I want to be your real boyfriend. I know that’s not what we agreed, but—”

  “Screw the agreement.”

  He sputters out a laugh. “Screw the agreement?”

  “Yes. Everything you just said? I want that too, Leland. All of it. I promised myself I wouldn’t rush into another relationship since I’ve had a habit of making all the wrong choices, but…I know this is right.”

  I’m not sure which one of us moves first, but in the next moment, we’re in each other’s arms, hugging and laughing. We’ve embraced countless times over the last month, and each one has helped stitch my broken pieces back together. I didn’t know it at the time, but that healing began the day of Leland and Wesley’s high school graduation, when Leland unknowingly set me on the right path and helped me course-correct my messed up life.

  I made plenty of mistakes after that and I’ve had to pick up countless pieces on my own, but all of those detours have led me here. To a night spent with the people I love most, culminating in a dream come true: Leland in my arms as more than just a friend.

  That fizzy champagne feeling from earlier returns as Leland shifts us around until our mouths meet. I match his fervor, pouring all my love and affection into the kiss. Being with Leland feels safe and exhilarating at the same time. It feels like new beginnings and endless possibilities.

  It feels like home.

  CHAPTER SEVENTEEN

  November nineteenth. My thirty-fifth birthday. Twenty years ago, at the tender age of fifteen, I thought I had my whole life figured out. When my dreams were crushed and it felt like my life was over, it was impossible to imagine what my life would turn out to be. When I sat in my high school cafeteria sharing cookies and slushies and tentative laughter with Leland Levesque, I never thought he’d come back into my life one day and stay.

  “Are you ready for this?” I ask.

  Leland hoists the takeout bags in his arms, readjusting them so he can lean in to kiss me. I couldn’t decide what I wanted for my birthday dinner, so he suggested we get a few things from all my favorite places. If I hadn’t already known he was the perfect man for me, that cemented it.

  “Is it weird that I’m nervous?” he asks. “I’ve hung out with your friends before—we were all together at your party literally two nights ago, and Wesley is one of my oldest friends—but I feel like this is some sort of rite of passage.”

  “That’s because it is,” I tell him, holding back laughter. “It’s a double celebration. My birthday and you going from honorary group member to official group member. We’re an awesome bunch, so it’s a pretty big deal.”

  Leland laughs and kisses me again, nipping at my bottom lip. Before it can go any further, the door flies open.

  “You two can make out later,” Evie says, ushering us inside. “Let’s eat before the food gets cold.”

  I stop in my tracks when I see my brother standing beside an elaborate blanket fort on the far side of the room. He motions to it like a game show assistant. “I used every blanket in the entire apartment, so I think it’s big enough to fit all six of us,” he says. “When Hollie and Lulu get here, we’ll have dinner inside, then we can move to the couch and chairs for dessert and the movie. I don’t know about you, but I can only sit on the floor for so long.”

  Evie takes the takeout bags from my arms so I can dash across the room and launch myself at Wesley. He squeezes me so hard, my feet nearly leave the ground.

  “I promised you an epic blanket fort, and I always keep my promises,” he says. “Can this count as your birthday gift?”

  I laugh, releasing him and stepping back to admire the fort. Through a gap in the top, I can see there are cushions inside, along with some artificial flickering candles and fairy lights. “Absolutely. Thank you.”

  Evie appears by my side. I expect her to have containers of food, but her hands are empty. She tilts her head at Wesley, who leaves to join Leland in the kitchen.

  “Come on,” she says, dropping to the ground and crawling inside the fort. “I want a minute alone with the birthday girl. The guys will get the food organized while we get comfy.”

  We crawl to the far end of the fort, settling ourselves among the cushions. “Maybe we should sleep in here tonight,” I say. After dinner and a movie, Wesley and Leland will be leaving for the night so the four of us can have a sleepover, which is how we always celebrated our birthdays as kids.

  “Why not. It’ll be just like old times, except with alcohol and no bedtime.”

  “And the inevitable stiffness in the morning,” I say, and we both laugh. A long moment of companionable silence passes between us. The muffled sound of Leland and Wesley’s voices filter through the blankets. “Evie?”

  “Yeah?”

  “I know age is just a number and turning another year older doesn’t really change anything, but…did you feel any different when you turned thirty-five last month?”

  Evie chews on the inside of her lip as she thinks about it. “Yes and no? I felt different, but I don’t know if it was turning thirty-five so much as having an actual, literal dream come true after so many years.” She lifts a corner of the blankets so she can peer through to the kitchen. The moment her eyes land on Wesley, they fill with love. When she turns back to me, that love still shines in her eyes, and it makes my heart swell even more. “What about you? Do you feel different?”

  Do I feel different? So much has happened in the last few months, and especially the last few weeks. I feel like a whole new person and yet…not. “I feel more like myself than I’ve ever felt. Does that sound silly?”

  Evie shakes her head emphatically. “Not at all. It sounds exactly right, and I couldn’t be happier for you.”

  The guys’ voices draw closer. Wesley appears in the doorway of the fort first, his hands full of takeout containers. “What do you think?”

  “Best fort ever,” I tell him. He gives a satisfied nod as he deposits the containers he’s holding on the makeshift table in the center of the fort. He backs out and disappears, returning a minute later with drinks. “Buttercup. Little Star.” He hands them to us and then moves further into the fort to make room for Leland.

  “Do I get a nickname?” Leland asks, appearing in the doorway. He sets the dishes he’s carrying on the table and crawls in until he’s sitting next to me, with the side of his body pressed close to mine.

  “I’ll have to give that some thought,” Wesley says. “Hey, I was thinking I could call Fergus and invite him over for cake and the movie.”

  Evie rubs her hands together, looking positively gleeful. “Yes! Do it. He and Louisa are so adorable together.”

  “Are we just going to keep throwing them together and hope something sticks?” I ask.

  “Basically, yeah.” Evie lifts one shoulder. Whatever my expression is has her adding, “What? I want everyone to be as happy and in love as Wesley and I are. You’ll see; it’s early days for you two, but you’ll soon be in this wonderful little love bubble, and you’ll want everyone around you to be as happy as you are.”

  I drop my gaze to my lap, afraid to look at Leland and see if he’s freaked out by Evie’s mention of love. He shifts closer to me and I lift my head to meet his eyes. His soft, sweet smile nearly makes me melt.

  I think I’m already in that happy little love bubble.

  ~*~*~*~

  Want to see more of these characters?

  Evie and Wesley’s story: Matchmaking & Mixtapes

  Released September 14th, 2023

  Available now in ebook and paperback - Get a copy here

  Hollie’s story: Do-Overs & Mixed Signals, coming October 12th, 2023

  Pre-order now

  Louisa’s story: Bucket Lists & Midnight Kisses, coming October 26th, 2023

  Pre-order now

  Related spin-off, featuring Sylvie Bell from Stella’s book: Silver Bells & Serendipity, coming November 9th, 2023

  Pre-order now

  *Each of these books can be read as a standalone

  Dear reader,

  Thank you for taking the time to read Reunions & Ruses. If you enjoyed Stella and Leland’s story, I’d love to hear from you. You can find all my contact information on my website.

  I’d be incredibly grateful if you would take the time to write a review on Goodreads, the ebook retailers of your choice, and/or your social media or blog. It doesn’t have to be long—even just a few words describing your feelings about the story. Reviews are so important, especially for indie authors like me, because they help people decide whether to read a book or not. You have the power to influence other readers!

  Thank you for your support. Every time I hear from a reader who was touched by my work, it confirms that I made the right decision to follow my dreams and become an author.

  With love and gratitude,

  Marie

  ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

  As always, the first person I need to thank is my mum. Mum, thank you for your unconditional love, and for supporting me no matter what. Anyone who knows me well will see a lot of me in Stella, and it’s because of your love, understanding, support, and encouragement that I was able to write a character who learns to embrace her differences and quirks. I love you to the next galaxy and back.

  Thank you to my best friend and fellow house goblin, Jaimie Admans. You’re the greatest friend anyone could ever hope for, and I’m so grateful to have you in my life. Thank you for all your support and encouragement, and for cheering me on every step of the way. I love you more than all the lemon shortbread and cherry bakewells in the world.

  Thank you to my sister-in-law, Amanda Groulx. The scene where Stella and Leland are at the reunion and Leland is distracting Stella from her anxiety by saying ridiculous, unhinged things was inspired by you. You’ve always understood my anxiety and been patient with me, and you have the uncanny ability to distract me and make me laugh when I need it most. Thank you for also giving me three of the greatest, most beautiful blessings in my life. Could I be any more grateful? Also, don’t look at me when I’m talking to you! *cackles* Love you, Manda.

  Thank you to my wonderful beta readers: Kaley Stewart, Tammy Bramley, and Brenda St John Brown. I’m so grateful for your feedback, support, and most importantly, your friendship.

  And finally, thank you, dear reader, for taking a chance on Stella and Leland. This story was so much fun to write, and I hope it was just as fun to read. And thank you, as always, to the bookish community, especially my friends on bookstagram, who are so supportive, passionate, and hardworking. I look forward to opening Instagram every day because of all of you.

  ABOUT THE AUTHOR

  Marie Landry lives and writes in a cozy apartment in Ontario, Canada, surrounded by books and Funko Pops. An avid reader from a young age, she loves getting lost in characters’ worlds, whether they’re of her own making or someone else’s. She particularly loves stories with as much of an emphasis on self-discovery and friendship as on romance...but don’t leave out the romance!

  When not doing bookish things, you can often find her taking pictures, cooking, scrolling Instagram (find her at @marielandry.author), daydreaming about frolicking through the Scottish Highlands, or listening to the same music she’s loved since the ’90s. She’s an unapologetic nerd and fangirl, and that, along with her mental health advocacy, is often woven into her books.

 

 

  Marie Landry, Reunions and Ruses

 

 

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