Broad Shoulders (The Perfect Man #3)

7. Epilogue — Jackson

15 YEARS LATER

“ D ad?”

I twist the wrench one more time, finally stopping the persistent drip that’s been plaguing this sink for days.

“In the downstairs bathroom,” I call out, wiping sweat from my brow.

I slide out from under the sink just as Kai appears in the doorway. At fifteen, he’s grown incredibly tall, all long limbs and wide shoulders that haven’t quite filled out yet. His hair is still wet from the ocean, board shorts dripping onto the tile floor.

“Good waves today?” I ask, getting to my feet with a grunt.

“Epic.” His face lights up with a grin that’s pure Alana. “I’m gonna shower and change. Heading out to meet Maile afterward. We’ll probably grab dinner somewhere.”

I nod, running the tap to make sure the leak is fixed. “Sounds good.”

He turns to go, but I remember something. “Hey, Kai. Hold up a sec.”

He pauses, looking back at me with raised eyebrows.

“You remember what we talked about last month? About being safe and responsible if you and Maile ever?—”

“Dad.” He groans, color flooding his cheeks immediately. “We’re not—I mean—it’s not like that.”

I give him a knowing look. “I want to make sure you’re prepared.”

“This is so embarrassing,” he mutters, running a hand through his wet hair. “We’re just hanging out. That’s it.”

“All right, all right.” I raise my hands in surrender. “Just making sure. Have fun, and call if you’re going to be out much later than dinner.”

“Yeah, I will.” He hesitates, then adds, “Thanks,” before disappearing down the hallway.

I smile to myself as I finish up with the sink. Kai’s a good kid—straight-A student, respectful to everyone he meets, passionate about surfing. I couldn’t ask for a better son. The conversations might get awkward sometimes, but that’s part of the territory.

I gather my tools, heading out of the bathroom. Fifteen years of parenthood has taught me when to push and when to back off. That conversation probably filled his embarrassment quota for the day.

After storing everything in the garage, I make my way to the living room. The sound of electronic music and sound effects guides me there.

Leilani is perched on the edge of the couch, controller in hand, completely absorbed in her game. At fourteen, she’s the spitting image of Alana, except for the competitive glint in her eyes that everyone says comes from me.

“Yes! Take that!” she shouts at the screen, pumping her fist in victory before noticing me. “Dad! Come play with me!”

I drop onto the couch beside her and pick up the spare controller. We play for a few minutes, with Leilani easily beating me at every turn.

“Seriously, Dad?” She laughs as my character falls off a cliff for the second time. “You’re terrible at this.”

“Just letting you win,” I joke, though we both know that’s not true.

People sometimes mistake Kai and Leilani for twins, despite the year between them. They share the same dark hair and easy smile, but where Kai channels his energy into surfing and the ocean, Leilani thrives on competition and technology. Two completely different kids, both amazing in their own ways.

“Good game, kiddo.” I set the controller down after she finishes destroying me. “You seen your mom around?”

“She’s in the backyard with Grandma.” Leilani’s already starting another round, her fingers flying over the buttons. “Tell Mom I want pizza for dinner.”

I laugh. “I’ll pass that along.”

I head through the kitchen and out the back door to our yard. There she is, my gorgeous wife, standing beside her mother, both of them looking at something I can’t quite see.

Nani spots me first, her face creasing into a smile. The years have silvered her hair, but her eyes are as sharp as ever.

“Jackson,” she calls. “Perfect timing.”

I cross the yard, sliding an arm around Alana’s waist as I press a kiss to her temple.

That’s when I notice the potted plant between them—a beautiful flowering shrub with vibrant purple blossoms.

“Early anniversary present,” Nani explains. “Thought it would look nice next to the hibiscus I gave you last year.”

For the past fifteen years, we’ve gifted each other plants for every special occasion. Now both our yards are filled with living memories, each tree and shrub marking another milestone.

I smile at my mother-in-law. “Thank you, Nani. It’s lovely.”

“Make sure you plant this somewhere it can spread out,” she advises. “It’ll grow larger than you expect.”

“Good to know,” Alana says, studying the plant.

“Can I get you something to drink?” I ask my mother-in-law.

She shakes her head. “Thanks, Jackson. But I need to head over to the community center. They’re expecting me to help with the festival preparations.” She gives us each a hug, her small frame still surprisingly strong as she squeezes me tight.

After she leaves, Alana and I stand alone in the yard. The late afternoon sun bathes everything in warm light, peaceful and perfect.

I turn my wife in my arms, pulling her close for a kiss. When I pull back, Alana’s cheeks are flushed, her eyes bright.

“What was that for?” she asks, smiling up at me.

I shrug. “No reason.” But then I break into a grin. “Okay, maybe a lot of reasons. Because I love you. Because you’re an incredible mom to our kids. Because you still wear those tiny shorts when you garden even though you know exactly what they do to me. Because last night in our bedroom was possibly the hottest?—”

“Okay, okay.” Alana laughs, pressing her fingers to my lips. “I get the point.”

I look at her, really look at her, and my chest swells with something deeper than love. Every line on her face and every sumptuous curve of her body is made more beautiful by everything we’ve shared.

“I’m so grateful that I get to spend the rest of my life with you,” I tell her.

Alana’s eyes soften, her hands coming up to rest on my chest. “I feel exactly the same way.”

I exhale dramatically. “Thank God.”

She breaks into a grin and runs her hands over my shoulders, squeezing the muscles there. “Have you been working out, Jackson?”

“Maybe.” I grin, bending down to kiss her again. “Is it working?”

And her laugh vibrates against my lips, the sound as bright and clear as it was the day I first heard it.