Lucky to be Yours

Lucky to be Yours SHANNON O’CONNOR Copyright © 2023 Shannon O’Connor All rights reserved. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, distributed, or transmitted in any form or by any means, except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical reviews and articles. Any resemblance to persons alive or dead is purely coincidental. Cover by M Leigh Morhaime of Lost Marbles Designs. Character Designs by Qamber Emporium. Edited by Beth Hale of Magnolia Author Services. Created with Vellum SHANNON O’CONNOR Contents Lucky to be Yours Playlist 1. Ellie 2. Reese 3. Ellie 4. Reese 5. Ellie 6. Ellie 7. Reese 8. Ellie 9. Reese 10. Ellie 11. Reese 12. Ellie 13. Reese 14. Ellie 15. Reese 16. Ellie 17. Reese 18. Ellie 19. Ellie 20. Reese Epilogue Are you ready for Bella and Dylan’s Story? Are you ready for another Christmas Story? Are you ready for Harper and Freya’s Story? Also by Shannon O’Connor About the Author Lucky to be Yours Playlist The Subway Song - Delacey Can I Get Your Number - Ann-Marie Cherry - FLETCHER & Hayley Kiyoko talk me out of it - Olivia Holt About Damn Time - Lizzo Santeria - Sublime Life Was Easier When I Only Cared About Me - Bad Suns Radar - Britney Spears She Said - FLETCHER Girls Make Me Wanna Die - The Aces I F*cking Love You - Zolita muse - MisterWives Chapter 1 Ellie “We’re doing green jello shots and you’re going to like it,” I tell Morgan and Bella. My two best friends and other halves. “But,” Bella opens her mouth while Morgan shrugs and picks up the shot. “I don’t have class tomorrow and Noel’s with his dad all weekend. I just can’t be too drunk when my girlfriend shows up,” Morgan explains. Her girlfriend is a certifiable MILF. With the cutest eight year old and nicest ass I’ve ever seen. Morgan’s girlfriend, not the kid. I’m a little too tipsy to be explaining things but that’s what happens when you find out the woman you secretly love is seeing someone. “I think I might be hanging out with Dylan later,” Bella says like it’s not soul crushing to me. But it’s not like she knows, because hell if she did I don’t know if we could still be friends. So I keep my feelings to myself, and Morgan who shoots me a quick ‘you good?’ look, and I pretend I’m fine. Which is why I’m suggesting jello shots at 10am like we’re in some kind of a frat. But it’s also St. Patrick’s Day, the day of my people and I plan on getting shitfaced. “Is she joining us for the parade?” Morgan asks. We always catch the end of the parade by the time we’re on our way to another bar. “I’m not sure, she might if Lucy goes.” Bella takes her shot with a cute little wrinkle of her cheeks and shrugs. Lucy, Morgan’s girlfriend with the nice ass, is best friends and co workers with Bella’s I guess girlfriend. I don’t pay attention enough to know what is going on between them. “We should get changed if we want to start the bar crawl,” I say, changing the subject. I am glad my friends both found someone to be with. Morgan more than Bella, but I also don’t want it to be all that we talk about tonight. My friends nod and I head into Morgan’s cramped bathroom to change into my ‘Kiss me I’m Irish’ green tee and my favorite pair of ripped jeans. My long, pink hair is curled down to my waist and my makeup is already done. I knew there wouldn’t be too much time after I got to Morgan’s house and I like to start things on time. Not that there is an actual schedule, but more of a list of bars we like to hit on St. Paddy’s Day. Once we’re dressed, I insist we take some photos to commemorate the occasion. Bella complains as usual, someone so beautiful but hates taking photos. It is ironic. “You’re beautiful, shush and smile,” I insist. She flashes me her perfectly white teeth and closes her eyes. I snap away, Morgan and I making silly faces too. It is enough for now, we’ll have the rest of the day to get photos, but our makeup never looks as good as it does in the beginning of the day. “Where to first?” Morgan asks as we leave the apartment. “Puzzles, it’s a classic and they’re doing green beer specials.” It is one of my personal favorite bars in the city. The owners, Sawyer and Cody, are cool as hell and it is a vibey place to hang out, especially on St. Patrick’s day. “Thank god, I love it there.” Bella smiles. Oh yeah, and it might be one of Bella’s favorite bars. But that is just a small bonus. Not at all why I chose to go there first. Morgan shoots me a knowing look but I avoid eye contact. I know my crush is pointless, but it’s not like I can help it. Of course finding someone to distract me today will be my objective. Even a few minutes of bliss is worth not feeling this crushing weight of loving someone who will never love you back. We head to the subway, it’s overcrowded with an array of green covered people headed to the parade or bar hopping like us. I love how New Yorkers come together for the holidays and really go all out. There is a redhead dressed as an actual leprechaun and his girlfriend dressed as a pot of gold. It is equally cheesy and adorable. I hang on to the overhead pole, knowing I have a pocketful of hand sanitizer waiting for me at the end of this trip. The train stops short and Bella stumbles into me, the weight of her petite body brushing into mine. I catch her,