"I say yes."

He closed the distance in three strides, shifted Pinky to the side, and kissed her. Long and deep and sweet, it was a kiss that promised a future and a life full of mess. Exactly the way she wanted it.

"I love you, too," she whispered against his mouth.

Pinky barked.

Suddenly, there was a loud clapping, and the two clients stood up, one brushing away tears, and Kate choked up and stumbled over to them for a group hug. Kennedy patted her shoulder and shook her head.

"This is going to get us so many new clients," she whispered in her ear.

And then together, they all laughed.

And things were very, very good.

epilogue.

I HAVE TO SAY, that was one of the most romantic declarations of love I have ever heard," Kate said, refilling her drink.

Kennedy nodded. "Damn straight. Right in the league of my golf course declaration."

"And my matching leather recliners," Kate added.

"Don't forget Wolfe's announcement to my whole family," Gen said.

Arilyn giggled. "They were all epic. And well deserved."

Kennedy raised her martini glass. "Cheers. It's been a long road for each of us, but we did it together."

"There were a lot of bumps in that road, but we never lost sight of the goal," Kate said.

Arilyn sighed with pure pleasure. "What should we drink to?"

"Boys who are worthy of us?" Genevieve asked.

Kennedy rolled her eyes. "Silly girl, haven't you learned yet? We drink to us. Friendship. Female power. Earth Mother!"

"Yes!" they all shouted together. Glasses clinked, green liquid sloshed over the table, and Arilyn stretched out her feet on the braided rug, completely content. Her three best girlfriends had called for a night of celebration with pizza and apple martinis back at the bungalow. So far they were on their way to solidly tipsy and getting emotionally sloppy.

Ah, Stone was in for a surprise when he returned home. Sometimes drunk sex was so much damn fun.

"Speaking of Earth Mother, did we get rid of that love spell book?" Genevieve asked. "Did we ever decide if it worked or was just a scam?"

Arilyn hiccupped. "Scam."

Kate's eyes widened. "Wait a minute. Let's do a roll call. My list was all Slade. Kennedy said hers was Nate."

Gen spoke up. "I thought mine was my ex, but when I read it over, I realized all the qualities I wrote down were Wolfe. So that's three. Arilyn?"

She blinked, pleasantly buzzed, and thought over her list. After they had completed the love spell a year ago, right here in Gen's bungalow, they burned each of their lists in the fire. They were supposed to slip the second copy under their mattresses. Something about the power of unconscious sleep to make your soul mate appear. After she moved, she remembered finding the list and shoving it in one of her notebooks, thinking the whole idea had been a waste. After all, Jacob had cheated on her for the third time. She'd thought he was her soul mate.

But he wasn't. Stone Petty was.

"Huh. Wait a minute. I took the list and put it in one of my journals. I didn't think it worked. Let me get it." She found her journal on the small bookshelf, plucked out the plain piece of ledger paper, and carried it back to the table.

"What does it say?" Gen asked breathlessly.

Arilyn scanned the contents. Did it again. And again.

No. Way.

"You're killing us here, dudette. What's on the list? Did it work?" Kennedy asked.

Arilyn bit her lower lip. "I don't believe this. My list. These aren't Jacob's qualities at all. They're Stone's."

"Can you read it aloud?" Kate asked.

Arilyn cleared her throat. "Okay, here we go. A man who challenges me. A man who makes me laugh. A man I find sexy and dominating in bed." She fought a blush at Kennedy's cheer and went on. "A man who makes me feel alive. A man who's loyal. A man who won't cheat. A man who loves me with a desperation that doesn't make sense. A man who gives me all of him. A man who wants to share all of my life, including friends and family. A man who loves dogs. That's it."

"Definitely not Yoga Man. Girlfriend, that is Stone Petty. The love spell does work," Kennedy stated.

They looked at each other, unsure of how to process it. Gen finally spoke up. "I still have the book, you know."

Kate shivered. "When I touch it, I get an electrical shock. It's spooky."

"But powerful," Kennedy pointed out. "Ladies, we have stumbled upon the greatest gift a woman could find. A way to find our true soul mates."

Arilyn leaned against the aqua chair and pondered. "There is something about harnessing the power of our thoughts, wants, and needs to the universe. Maybe a combination of fire and writing and being with each other made the difference."

"Wow, between Kate's touch and The Book of Spells, we can make Kinnections the most famous place on earth!" Kennedy squealed.

Kate laughed. "Hold on, tiger. We are not going public with my witchlike abilities or the book. This stays between us. It's sacred."

"And we can use it for good," Arilyn said. "Is there someone else who needs it?"

They thought for a few minutes before Gen spoke up. "Izzy. She's changed. Can you imagine what meeting the right guy can do for her?"

"But she has to do the spell," Kate said. "That's a leap of faith. You have to want it."

Gen nodded. "I'll talk to her. Who knows? It's worth a shot."

"Good. In the meantime, Gen, you keep it safe, and we'll see what happens. Anything is possible," Kate said.

"Especially with us," Kennedy said.

Arilyn looked around the circle. "I love you guys."

"Back atcha, sweets," Kennedy said. Kate and Gen sniffed, overemotional from too many apple martinis, and they all squeezed together for a group hug.

Arilyn realized once again how finding love can change a person's life. Funny thing is, even before Stone, her life had already been blessed.

By true friendship.

acknowledgments.

AH, SO MANY people to thank.

First off, a huge thanks to the Town of Montgomery Police Department, who welcomed me into the station when I came to ask a bunch of ridiculous questions and treated me with both respect and warmth. A huge shout-out to Officer Jason Meehan, who let me ride in his cool car for an official "ride along" and let me pepper him with what-if scenarios so I could create a truthful environment for Officer Stone Petty and his coworkers. Any mistakes I made are mine and mine alone. They are truly an exceptional team and I thank each and every one of them for keeping us safe.

Thanks to my editor, Lauren McKenna, who wanted me to write a cop story and refused to settle for anything less than perfection. It's a joy working with you. Thanks also to my agent, Kevan Lyon, for all the advice along the way.

Thanks to my local shelter, Pets Alive, who gave me my beloved Lester, and rescued the real pit bull Robert-who you can find living happily with his own Facebook page, Rockin' Robert, at www.facebook.

.com/RobertPetsAlive. Pets Alive works tirelessly to make sure all animals have a fair chance at love and a safe home. They inspired me to create another canine survivor in Pinky.

A shout-out to the Probst Posse, who help me with all of my books and are a great support system on this writing journey. You guys seriously rock.

Thank you to all my writing friends who keep me laughing and writing. I wish I could name them all here but there are just too many and you know who you are. You make every writing conference the absolute best!

If you enjoy the Searching For series, please tell your friends. Leave reviews. Help spread the word. I'd love to give a few more characters their happy ever afters. Don't forget that the original Book of Spells is available as an ebook for only $0.99 and includes an exclusive short story featuring Alexa and Nick from The Marriage Bargain.

Finally, as always, to my readers. Thank you for your emails, posts, tweets, and shout-outs. Thank you for your belief in me and my stories. Thank you for reading them and allowing me to write full-time, fulfilling the lifelong dream I've had since I was six years old. I love you all.

about the author.

Matt Simpkins Photography.

JENNIFER PROBSt's novels, novellas, and ebooks range from sexy contemporary romance to erotica. She lives in upstate New York. For more about this multitalented New York Times and USA TODAY bestselling author, visit JenniferProbst.com.

FOR MORE ON THIS AUTHOR: authors.simonandschuster.com/Jennifer-Probst MEET THE AUTHORS, WATCH VIDEOS AND MORE AT.

SimonandSchuster.com.

ALSO BY JENNIFER PROBST.

The Searching For Series.

Searching for Someday.

Searching for Perfect.

"Searching for You" in Baby, It's Cold Outside.

Searching for Beautiful.

The Marriage to a Billionaire Series.

The Marriage Bargain.

The Marriage Trap.

The Marriage Mistake.

The Marriage Merger.

We hope you enjoyed reading this Pocket Books eBook.

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