Epilogue
Icarry the large platter of hamburger patties and hotdogs across the backyard lawn, inhaling the savory smoke coming from the grill that Quincy is heating. Grandma wanted to host this end-of-summer picnic in our backyard and as a thank you to our friends for helping secure the house over these past few months.
“Here’s the first batch,” I say as I put the platter on a small table beside the grill.
I wrap my arms around Quincy and hug him. Since we got back together, he’s been a rock of support for Grandma and me and has helped with numerous small projects around the house. His commitment to Grandma and our renewed relationship has been unwavering.
“Mm. You feel good.” Quincy places his hands over mine and leans into me.
Everything feels perfectly aligned, and happiness takes my breath away. What we have now is better than anything I could ever imagine. Every minute of every day, our connection deepens and becomes more unbreakable.
Grandma tuts at our PDA, making us laugh. “It warms my heart to see you two lovebirds together again. I’m so glad you came to your senses and gave this handsome young man a second chance.”
“Grandma!” I exclaim, my cheeks suddenly aflame. She may be from an older generation, but she still has a little giddyup and sometimes says things I wish she wouldn’t.
“Oh, don’t be so hard on my Claire. She had every right to be wary of me. I didn’t do right by her in high school, and I’ll always regret that.”
My breath catches in my throat. We’ve worked to resolve everything from our past, but I know it still bothers Quincy about how he behaved back then. “We’ve moved past that, Quincy. You know how much I love you. What matters is how we are today, and you show me your love every moment we’re together. I couldn’t be happier than I am now.”
Quincy gives me a tender kiss, and the familiar deep pull of desire makes my soul content.
“I should let you get back to the grill,” I murmur, knowing that if we get too caught up in ourselves, Grandma will start tutting about guests arriving soon and everything not being laid out correctly.
“I love you, Claire,” Quincy says, hugging me again before I head back inside to get another platter of food.
“Just set the platter right here on the picnic table, dear,” Grandma instructs as I return.
The chipped wooden table I remember from childhood is loaded with Grandma”s secret-recipe baked beans, pasta salad, bowls of potato chips, and a veggie tray with carrots and celery. Mason jars of sunflowers line the center of the table. My stomach rumbles as Quincy puts the first batch of burgers on the grill, and the scent wafts across the backyard.
“You have everything under control there, young man?” Grandma calls out to Quincy, who’s starting to grill hot dogs.
He grins and smiles. “Sure do! First batch will be ready by the time people start showing up!”
“Good man,” Grandma says. She turns to me. “You did the right thing with Quincy, Claire. It’s such a joy to see you two together and happy again. You’re making this old woman happy.”
“Oh, Grandma.” A tear rolls down my cheek as I gently hug her. “I love you.”
“Love you, too.”
“Hey, hey, hey!” We turn and see Jeremiah and Greg come through the gate, holding up a couple of six-packs.
Soon, the yard is full of laughter and the people important to us. All the men of Rebel Autos, except Mack, have their arms around the women they love.
“Yo, Mack,” Quincy calls out, raising a beer in Mack’s direction. “It’ll be your turn next!”
All the guys laugh and agree, but Mack shakes his head. “Confirmed bachelor. You grease monkeys know that.”
“Man, you say that now.” Roman grins, pulling his wife Marsha closer, his eyes gooey with love. “I used to think I was happy alone, raising my girl. But when I met Marsha… I was fucking done for.”
Marsha giggles and kisses him, her eyes bright with love.
Mack grunts and rolls his eyes, but I see a hint of a smile. He may be gruff, but the more I get to know him, the more I see he has a good heart. He just hasn’t found anyone to share it with.
“Only if I find a woman who likes classic cars as much as I do. Maybe.” Mack arches his eyebrow, drains his beer, and motions for Wes to hand him another.
Everyone fills their plates buffet-style, and laughter and lively conversation fill the air as we eat. Across the lawn, the ivy climbing the back of the house sways gently in the late summer breeze.
The lawn is still slightly overgrown, but the fresh coat of cloud-white paint makes the old house look crisp and renewed. Gone is the sagging chain link fence, replaced by sturdy wooden boards that Quincy and Greg built. The once-tangled trees have been neatly trimmed back from the roof and windows.
After we finish eating, Grandma taps her glass with a spoon to get everyone”s attention. Quincy moves to help her up as she slowly pushes up from her chair. When she’s standing, she places her hand over his and smiles warmly.
“It gladdens my heart so much to see you all here. This place feels like a true home again. I can never adequately thank Quincy, Jeremiah, and Greg for all they’ve done to help me be safe again. When they told me they were covering the cost…” Grandma’s voice catches, and my heart beats faster, “it was an unexpected and generous gift. And to you, too, Quincy, for all your continued work around the house.” Grandma’s eyes glisten with tears. “From the bottom of my heart, thank you. You are all a blessing.”
“No thanks are needed,” Jeremiah says. “You’re part of the family, and we take care of our own.”
“Here, here!” the men say, raising their drinks. “To family!”
Mack gives Quincy a playful nudge. “Gotta say, I never thought I”d see this rascal so domesticated!”
Quincy chuckles, the tops of his cheekbones flushing slightly. He slips an arm around my waist and quickly kisses my temple. “What can I say? Claire brings out the best in me.”
The pure, unrestrained love shining in his green eyes as he gazes down at me makes my heart swell with surety that I made the right choice with him. It feels right to be near him like this, interacting with my family. Natural.
Grandma was right. People can change if given the chance. And some couples are destined to be together, even if they have bumps in the road and have to find their way back to each other.
Quincy stands from the picnic table, tapping his beer bottle nervously to get everyone”s attention.
“I, uh, have an announcement to make myself,” he says, his voice wavering slightly.
All eyes turn to him.
He sets his plate aside, wipes his palms on his jeans, and takes my hands in his larger, calloused ones. His green eyes meet mine, heavy with emotion. “Claire, you”re my entire world. Being with you again these past few months has made sense of my life. Before you came back, I didn’t know what I was living for, but I know now. I’m living for you. For us.”
He pauses, his Adam”s apple bobbing as he swallows nervously. His thumbs rub small, soothing circles over the backs of my hands. Glancing around the backyard at our assembled friends and family, he straightens his shoulders resolutely.
“Being with you again has made one crystal clear—you and I are meant to be together. Some connections transcend time and withstand storms. We have that connection.”
My vision swims with tears at his heartfelt words. Quincy slowly sinks to one knee before me in the grass, never breaking our shared gaze. He produces a small black velvet box from his pocket, cradled delicately in one palm.
“You”re my once-in-a-lifetime love, Claire,” he professes fervently. “My always. My forever girl. I”m asking you here and now, in front of all these friends and loved ones—will you make me the happiest man on this earth? Claire Matthews, will you be my wife?”
As he flips open the box with slightly unsteady fingers, I clasp a hand to my mouth in overwhelmed delight. A flawless diamond ring is nestled inside the silk lining, glittering brilliantly in the sunlight. Joyful tears spill freely down my cheeks.
I choke out a whispered but passionate “Yes, Quincy Walker. Yes!” I nod eagerly, beaming so wide it makes my face ache. Life couldn’t be more perfect than it is right now.
Quincy”s anxious expression melts into a dazzling, dimpled smile of pure joy. With trembling hands, he reverently takes my left hand in his warm, calloused one and ever-so-gently slides the exquisite ring onto my finger.
A perfect fit.
The backyard erupts into cheers and applause from our family and friends. But all I can see is Quincy rising to pull me into his arms, both of us laughing and crying happy tears. His familiar warmth surrounds me, and I cling to him, overcome with love and elation.
As Quincy and I kiss tenderly, heedless of our whooping audience, a sense of complete joy settles over my soul. We were destined for each other—it just took us a little longer than usual to get here.
“I promise to spend every day proving myself worthy of you, Claire.”
“You already have,” I whisper. “You”re the only one I trust with it. The only one I”ve ever truly loved.”
* * *