Make It Last (Friends & Lovers 1)

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; “Okay,” Kara said loudly. “Open ‘em.”

Briana opened her eyes and saw every available shift worker piled into their small break room. In the center of the table was a delicious looking chocolate cake that read, “Congratulations, Bree. We are so proud of you.”

Briana didn’t even attempt to hide the tears that streamed down her face.

“Thanks, guys. This means so much to me.”

Everyone took turns giving her hugs and wishing her luck. The people who had to get on the floor got back to work with the promise that cake would be saved for each of them. Everyone else stayed to have a piece.

It was the best cake Briana had ever eaten.

Epilogue

The last couple of weeks before Briana left for Austin flew by. She spent every spare moment with Colin, which only strengthened their relationship.

The day that Shawn texted him to tell him that she had gone through with the abortion was difficult, but they got through it together. Colin was sad at the loss, but admitted that it probably wasn’t the best time for him, or them, to start a family. He was adamant that he did want to have kids someday, which made Briana even more excited about their future.

She knew that long distance relationships didn’t always work, but she had faith that after all that they had been through, they would find a way to make it work.

She trained the new hire at the restaurant and felt confident that he would work out just fine.

Nicole and Roni found an apartment together and were having fun picking out decorations. The biggest surprise came when Kara revealed that Pete would be taking Briana’s place in their apartment.

“I know it sounds crazy. And fast. And crazy,” Kara admitted to Briana when she told her. “But he needs a place and I’ve got a room opening up…it just makes sense. It’s not like we’re living together…I mean, yes, technically we’re living together, but not living together.”

Briana chuckled at Kara’s rationale and said, “You guys will be great.”

It was a sad day for both of them when it was finally time for Briana to leave.

“I’m going to miss you so much, Bree,” Kara said between sniffles.

“Me, too,” Briana whimpered back.

They hugged, squeezing each other tight. When Colin’s truck pulled up, they were still locked in their embrace, not ready to let the other go.

“Hey, ladies, don’t cry,” Colin said when he got out and started loading Briana’s things into the bed of his truck. “Please?”

Briana and Kara broke apart and wiped their faces, then Briana picked up one of her bags and went to put it in the truck. She paused before she lifted it in, looking at Colin in confusion.

“What are all of these other bags?”

Colin and Kara exchanged glances and turned to her with wide grins.

“I got hired on as an Assistant Coach at UT,” he said. “I’m going to Austin with you.”

Briana dropped her bag with a thud, her mouth wide with shock. The tears once again began to fall down her face.

“Oh. My. God.”

She jumped into Colin’s arms, wrapping herself around him and screaming in his ear. “I can’t believe it.”

He laughed as she pulled back and began to cover his face with kisses.

“I love you so much,” she exclaimed.

“I love you, too, Bree,” he replied. “And I promise that this time, we’ll make it last.”