Epilogue – Max （A Year Later）
"Babe, can you grab the potato salad from the fridge?" I call out to Maria as I arrange plates and cutlery on the patio table.
We're having a little lunch gathering at our recently purchased house, and I'm looking forward to spending the afternoon with our closest friends.
"Got it!" Maria replies cheerfully, emerging from the kitchen with the large bowl in hand. She sets it down just as the gate clicks open, and two familiar faces appear.
"Well, well, look who finally made it!" I greet Jenna and her boyfriend, Damon, with a grin. "We were starting to think you bailed on us."
Jenna rolls her eyes good-naturedly, giving me a playful smack on the arm as she moves to hug Maria.
"Oh please, like we'd ever turn down one of Maria's famous tapas spreads."
Damon chuckles, clapping me on the back in greeting.
"Yeah, wild horses couldn't keep this one away. She's been talking about this lunch all week."
We all laugh at that, well acquainted with Jenna's legendary appetite. As Maria and I finish up the last-minute preparations, I glance around the table appreciatively.
"I have to say, it's nice to finally have a place big enough to host get-togethers," I comment, sliding an arm around Maria's waist. "Our little apartment just wasn't cutting it anymore."
Maria smiles up at me, her eyes crinkling happily.
"It really is perfect, isn't it? Plenty of room for entertaining, plus that big master bedroom we've put to good use," she adds playfully.
"Ooh, do tell!" Jenna interjects with a wink.
Damon and I just chuckle as Maria's cheeks flush. Some things never change, even a year later.
We all take our seats, chatting as we fill our plates with piping-hot tapas fresh from the grill. The gate soon creaks open again, signaling the arrival of our final guest.
"Sorry, I'm late!" Alice, Maria and Jenna’s accountant and close friend, calls out as she bustles over. "I had to pry my boyfriend away from his cabin long enough to make an appearance."
"No worries, we're just getting started," I assure Alice with an easy smile.
My gaze lands on the tall, broad-shouldered man standing behind her, looking faintly ill. He's the epitome of a lumberjack - full beard, flannel shirt, and muscular arms that practically strain the sleeves.
"Everyone, this is my boyfriend, Hank," Alice announces, beaming up at the quiet giant. "Hank, meet my wonderful group of friends."
A round of cheerful greetings follows as Hank gives a shy little wave, settling into the empty seat beside Alice. I catch Maria's eye from across the table and have to bite back a grin at the mildly gobsmacked look on her face.
Clearly none of us were expecting Alice's new boyfriend to be quite so...formidable.
But it doesn't take long for Hank to loosen up, drawn into the lively conversation flowing around the table. He has an unexpectedly warm, rumbling laugh that emerges more frequently as he gets comfortable.
I smile to myself, content to observe the banter and camaraderie of our little found family. It's still sometimes hard for me to believe I get to be a part of something like this - people who embrace me wholeheartedly, quirks and all.
"So, Max!" Damon pipes up from beside me, pulling me from my thoughts. "Maria was telling us you finally got that tattoo shop up and running in town?"
I nod, absently turning my water glass in my hands.
"Yeah, I just opened Inferno Ink a few days ago, in fact. It took a hell of a lot more paperwork and permits than I expected, but I’m thrilled to finally have a space to call my own." I shoot Maria a grateful smile. "Couldn't have done it without my brilliant girl's help, of course. She's a whiz at all that official stuff."
Maria waves off the praise even as she preens happily.
"Oh stop, you did most of the work. But the place looks amazing, and Max is already fully booked!"
"Right? We are surprisingly busy," I admit with some pride. "Word's definitely getting around. I'm even thinking of taking on an apprentice to keep up with demand."
Alice perks up at that.
"I've been thinking of getting a little something inked..." Alice gives Hank a playful nudge. "What do you think, honey? Maybe a lumberjack axe or some trees? Or something smaller?"
We all chuckle as Hank flushes red, mumbling something about "waiting to see how the smaller one feels first".
But beneath the flustered reaction, I can see the open affection in the way he gazes down at Alice. Something tells me this unlikely pair is built to last.
The conversation meanders on as we continue to feast, and I settle back in my chair with a contented sigh. In this moment, surrounded by the people I care about most in our new home, I'm filled with a profound sense of gratitude.
Gratitude for Maria, who took a chance on her errant tenant and got far more than a bit of monthly rent money.
Gratitude for my found sense of family and belonging in this vibrant little community.
Gratitude for the life I never thought I deserved.
Thank you for reading it!