Don't Bet on It

Epilogue

Date: April 15th

"As if," I said, rolling my eyes. Eric just laughed.

Eric, Daniel, Deena, and I were driving back from our trip to the lake, and Eric was trying to convince me that I regretted not jumping off the mini cliff into the water. I didn't regret it. I'm afraid of heights.

"Leave her alone," Deena said. "It's her birthday. She should be able to do whatever she wants."

"Totally," I said.

"So, out of ten, how would everyone rate today?" Daniel asked from the driver's seat.

"Sixteen," I said. "Because that's how old I'm turning."

Deena nodded at me. She was sitting in the back seat next to me behind Daniel. "Same."

"I'd say an eight," Eric said. "Just because Jessa wouldn't jump off the cliff with me."

I rolled my eyes. "What about you?" I asked Daniel. "How would you rate today?"

"Same as you guys," he replied. "I'm not going to let little things get in the way like some people I know."

Deena and I laughed.

"Remind me why we're going to your house," Eric said.

"For the most awesomest dessert known to mankind that is called ice cream sandwiches," I replied.

"Right," he said, nodding.

Mom, Laura, and Jenna were in the living room when we got to the house. We greeted them and then went into the kitchen. I pulled four ice cream sandwiches out of the freezer and set them on the table. We each took one and went out onto the back patio and ate them while rehashing events from the day and laughing.

Laura came out about five minutes later. "Bye Jessa," she said.

I got up and gave her a hug. "Bye."

"Oh, and you and Emma should come over sometime next week to see the new house."

I nodded. "I'll talk to her and find out a good time for both of us."

"Cool. Talk to you guys later." She left.

Laura and Dad had broken up before the wedding. Dad had been really obnoxious about everything and had wanted to spend as much money as possible on everything, while Laura had wanted a simpler ceremony. They'd finally decided that their relationship wasn't working and split up. Laura had sold her giant fancy mansion and was now living in a smaller house about five minutes away from us. She and Mom had stayed good friends. Dad had run away to Switzerland again.

"We're gonna take off," Deena said, standing up. Daniel stood to.

Danny and Deena had come together because Eric had to go somewhere after we came back, so he had come alone and was just going to drive straight there.

I got up and hugged them goodbye. Eric and I followed them to the front door. When they drove away, we went back inside.

Eric sat down on the now-vacant couch in the living room. I sat next to him, and he put his arm around me. "Today really was fun," he said, kissing my forehead.

"I know. You just like pouting."

He chuckled. "Okay, sure. Happy birthday, Cupcake."

"Thanks." I leaned my head on his shoulder. "It was fun for me too."

He rested his cheek on my head.

I closed my eyes. "I love you, Eric."

I felt him smile. "I love you too, Jessa."