Epilogue
Jack
One year later
This time, it was locusts. They were everywhere, covering practically every sidewalk and building in Aqua Vista. Beth claimed she’d felt their buzzing energy before they surfaced seemingly overnight. They were disgusting and creepy, and Aaron declared it was the apocalypse.
Those creatures are the reason for the pounding I hear even before I exit my truck in Aaron’s driveway. He decided to fortify all his windows so none could get inside in case it happens again.
The thing is, I would almost believe it was the coming of Armageddon, considering locusts are not native to California and no other towns were reporting locust activity. It’s a good thing Isabel has become acquainted with a wildlife expert from Parks and Recreation. Gordon did some research and found out they weren’t locusts at all but short-horned grasshoppers—which, to be fair, belong to the locust family. Apparently, they swarm when food is scarce, and they migrate in search of it.
Gordon assured us they weren’t harmful to humans, and within a week’s time, we got used to them crunching under our feet as we went about our business until, one day, they seemed to vanish into thin air. Leaving behind dead carcasses everywhere.
Walter, of course, found a way to make a souvenir out of the phenomenon, and since he apologized to Beth and they’d become friendly, she had a good laugh at the small grasshopper flags outside her shop.
I exit the truck, excitement coursing through my veins. It’s Aaron’s fortieth birthday, so I have a surprise celebration planned for tonight. Sometimes, it’s hard to believe Aaron’s been in Aqua Vista a year—and that it took him almost as long to complete renovations. Mostly because he had to move his whole life here but also because he’s a perfectionist, which I’ve come to appreciate. Even the paint needed to match the period style from when the house was built. Though he switched the order a bit—it’s now painted cream, which brightens it exponentially, with plum and sage trim.
He’s even helped me upgrade a bit of my house, which means plenty of time spent at both places. We joke that one is our home and the other our vacation place, playfully teasing each other about which is which. We might not live together yet, but we’re both comfortable enough in each other’s spaces that it doesn’t much matter right now. Besides, there are too many other plans consuming my attention.
I knock before entering the house. “I see you’re working until the last minute.”
He smiles as he places the hammer in the toolbox. “Only had one more sash.”
“You just couldn’t resist.” When he stands, I pull him to me and kiss his soft lips. He sighs, and it makes my heart leap. The way he melts against me fills me with the kind of reassurance I’ve always wanted from a partner. We fit, and it feels right. I might still have some fears about him bolting on me, but I’m easily able to bat them away.
Especially when I see how well he gets on with my family. He and June are tight, and Aunt Dina and Uncle Chuck love him. Uncle Chuck even invited him out to see the bees, and that’s a big deal for him. Aaron was so excited that he ate Honeycomb’s honey with every meal for a week, as if showing his appreciation for what nature provides. Rocco made fun of him for a while until Aaron sent him a few bottles, and then he raved about it.
Plus, Isabel made the move with Aaron, and outside of her new wildlife friend, she’s thriving at the rescue with Mae. She even fills in at the inn if Mae needs her, and her health has improved despite her asthma being the chronic kind. Like Aaron says, he’s not sure if it’s the health benefits or the lifestyle change, but maybe it doesn’t really matter. She’s happier, and that’s the important part.
“Just let me change my shirt,” Aaron says.
“Sounds good.” We have just enough time to get to the restaurant.
To fend off my nerves, I take in the furnishings. The outside looks amazing, but the inside is on a whole other level. He spent months refinishing all the wooden trim and carefully selecting paint colors. He built his dining table out of reclaimed wood and seemed to love every minute of the process. So much so that when other residents heard about the care he was taking with the property, they put in requests for design help on their aging homes or for Aaron to complete some of the work himself.
He told me a year ago he was excited about the possibilities, and it turns out he has plenty. He still co-owns the business with Rocco, but he’s taken lots of time off to figure out his plans. It’s been nice spending practically every day with him and feeding off his creative energy. It’s made me appreciate all sorts of art again.
Speaking of Rocco, my cell buzzes with a text from Frank, his new BFF. All set?
Yep.
It’s been tough not to spill the beans about tonight’s plans. Thankfully, everyone else has been tight-lipped as well. The biggest shock had to be Rocco, who can talk nonstop if you let him. Especially about his business and cars. No surprise there, he and Frank are tied at the hip—well, as much as they can be with Rocco in San Jose.
But they’ve met at auto shows in the area, and whenever Rocco visits, they go off in their own little world to talk about—what else?—cars. Especially if Corrine doesn’t tag along. Apparently, they decided to postpone the wedding and enjoy their engagement longer. There’s nothing wrong with taking things slow. Not that I would know. I’ve never had marriage designs, but never say never. For now, I’m just enjoying my life and my relationship.
Aaron returns wearing a blue button-down with the sleeves rolled to the elbows.
“Damn, you clean up good.”
“Not so bad yourself,” Aaron replies, stepping into my arms for a steamy kiss and then protesting when I pull away.
“There’ll be plenty of time for that later. I promise.”
“I hope so.” He mock-pouts, and I chuckle because our sex life is not lacking. We’ve made love in practically every room in this house. What did he expect, looking all hot and sweaty, holding a hammer with bulging biceps? “Where are we headed?”
“I thought we’d try something new a little ways out of town.”
“Sounds perfect,” he says, and I smile warily. Maybe I’m more nervous about this than I thought. I just hope he enjoys himself. That’s really all that matters.
Once we’re in the truck, I turn on the radio and hum along to a song to calm down.
“Why are you in such a good mood?”
I give him a sidelong glance. “Maybe because I get to spend a birthday with the man I love.”
He reaches for my hand. “Be still my beating heart.”
I pull up to a steak restaurant not far from the eagle’s nest. We’re led to a table in the center of the room, open a bottle of red wine, and order our food. We talk and laugh, and it occurs to me that it never feels old with him. But it always feels comfortable. Like I’m exactly who I’m supposed to be with him. It hasn’t been easy opening myself up, layer by layer, to give him everything he deserves, and lo and behold, he still wants to be around me. Even when we’ve had arguments—which have been few and far between—he doesn’t throw leaving in my face, and fuck, do I appreciate that.
I lift my glass. “A toast to your birthday.”
“Thanks for spending it with me.” He smiles. “Moving here was the best decision I made in a long time.”
I reach for his hand across the table as my heart softens a little bit more.
After dinner, we drive back to Aqua Vista and park at the service station.
“Now what do you have up your sleeve? Dessert from the vending machine?” he teases, knowing full well the selection inside is limited. Too limited, according to him.
“Very funny.” I peck his head. “A stroll on the beach?”
He sighs. “I’d love that.”
We walk hand in hand toward the path leading down to the beach.
Dusk is setting in, which cools the air swirling around us, and the night already feels so perfect I’d be content if it ended this way.
Except for the other plans.
“Looks like someone’s having a party.” Aaron points toward the orange and yellow flickering flames from a bonfire down the way.
“Guess so.” I clear my throat. “Want to head in the other direction?”
My pulse throbs as he considers the offer, then shakes his head. “Nah, I enjoy people-watching.”
True. Some days, I find him on the beach after a hike, just sitting on his towel and taking it all in. He enjoys watching the surfers as well, which means he and Cain have gotten to know each other better. Even asked him for lessons, but they haven’t found the right time yet.
As we get closer, Aaron’s hand stiffens in mine—he must recognize some of the people gathered. “What’s going on?”
My grip tightens on his hand. “We couldn’t celebrate a milestone birthday without family and friends.”
“Are you kidding me?” His eyebrows rise to his hairline. “I can’t believe you did this.”
I tug on his arm, urging him to greet everyone who showed up to the bonfire. His mom steps up first and throws her arms around him. Gordon is with her, and Minnie too, running circles around our feet in the sand. Aaron turns to shake Frank’s and Johnny’s hands, and June kisses his cheek. Cain smiles and waves along with some of his surfer buddies.
When Rocco appears from behind some residents, Aaron gasps, seeming most flabbergasted to see him. “Happy birthday, buddy!”
They hug and slap backs.
I smile at Mae and Beth and other store owners who know and love Aaron. Hell, seems like practically all of Aqua Vista showed up to celebrate with us.
I grab a couple of beers from a cooler as he continues greeting everyone.
When I hand him a cold one, he turns his radiant smile on me. “I can’t believe you did all this.”
“I can’t believe it went off without a hitch.”
We clink bottles, take swigs, then connect our lips as people clap and cheer.
“I told you they make a hot couple!”
Aaron blinks in shock. “Chase?”
His friends from San Jose step up to high-five him.
“Cool party,” Spencer says. “Thanks for the invite.”
Thanks to Rocco for organizing that part of it.
When Beth heads our way, muttering her agreement with Chase, I’m afraid she’s going to bring up her visions of our future before we can make our escape. I know she means well and is only excited for us, but I’d prefer our future to roll out the way it’s meant to, without any input. I motion to Frank to turn up the music, and as if sensing my hesitation, Isabel steps in Beth’s path for a chat and introductions to Aaron’s friends.
Soon enough, rock tunes are piping through his phone, drinks are poured, and the party resumes. There’s a table with appetizers and desserts, but we’re still stuffed from our dinner.
We spend most of the time making the rounds and talking to guests, but we also slow-dance at high tide, with the waves crashing over our bare feet. Even Mr. Goodson is there, playing his ukelele, a smile on his face—the first one I’ve seen in a long while, so maybe some of his grief is lifting.
“Thanks for a perfect night,” Aaron says with a dreamy smile, looking blissfully happy. And fuck, if I could see him like this every day, I’ll try my darndest to make it happen.
When I spot Rocco and Frank talking near the beer cooler, I take Aaron’s hand and lead us over to them.
“Thanks for all the help planning this,” I say, and Rocco nods.
“I still can’t believe this,” Aaron exclaims, slurring his words a little. “Thank you!” He turns toward the bonfire. “I love you all!”
The people nearby whoop and holler in amusement, looking a bit tipsy themselves. June is chatting up Mae and her husband, and Isabel and Gordon are swaying to a slow song near the water. A few guests have already left, given the late hour.
“I have something I want to say,” I begin, and Frank and Rocco stop talking to listen. I squeeze Aaron’s hand for courage. “Over a year ago, a man in a bimmer rolled into town and tried to buy my business. The rest is history.”
Aaron and Rocco share a laugh, and Frank rolls his eyes, no doubt remembering all the drama that ensued. Mostly from my end.
“I…just wonder if the offer still stands.”
Rocco’s eyebrows slam together. “What do you mean?”
“I was stubborn and inflexible…mostly still grieving my family,” I admit. “But I’ve always known deep down that it’s never been a perfect fit.”
Aaron tugs on my hand. “What are you saying, baby?”
“I’m saying, given the chance now, I would agree to your offer with one stipulation.”
There’s a spark in Rocco’s eyes I’ve seen before. The art of the sale. “And what’s that?”
I glance at my best friend. “That Frank has a stake in the business. He’s like a brother to me, and there’s no one I would trust more to run that place.”
Frank takes a shaky step forward. “Jack, what are you?—”
“I mean, if you want it. I talked it over with June and Johnny, and they agree.” I meet Aaron’s eyes, and he nods. The topic has come up a couple of times since his arrival, but this is a decision I wanted to make on my own. “But I’ll only sell the place if you’ll run it. Between you and Rocco and your obsessions with the auto industry, you could make that business shine.”
“Holy shit,” Frank says. “You’re serious, aren’t you?”
“I am.”
Frank squeezes my shoulder. “And what about you?”
I shrug. “Maybe I’ve been thinking about that empty storefront next to the butcher’s.”
Aaron alerted me to it the other day after speaking to Louise, the retiring store owner whose yarn business is folding. I’ve been thinking about it ever since.
“Is that so?” Frank gives me a knowing look. “Can I give it some thought?”
“Obviously,” I reply. “I’d like Aaron to walk me through it anyway.”
When they walk away, I turn toward the water and breathe out. I feel Aaron’s arms wind around my midsection. “I’m proud of you,” he says. “And don’t worry, I’ll make sure the gas prices aren’t hiked. I know that’s a big sticking point for you.”
“Not sure it matters what I think anymore. That’ll be Frank’s issue to contend with, and I trust him to do the right thing.”
I know Frank will honor my parents’ memory, but I’ll also feel relief handing him the reins. Besides, I think my parents would approve.
Aaron’s grip tightens. “God, I love you.”
“I love you too.” I turn in his arms. “You think Frank will want it?”
“Are you kidding?” He glances at my best friend as Rocco talks his ear off, no doubt about expanding and improving the business. Frank seems shell-shocked, but he’s also grinning. “Look at him. Think of all the plans they’re cooking up.”
“And Rocco finally gets what he wanted all along.”
“I suppose.” Aaron frowns. He still has residual guilt about leaving Rocco in the lurch, even though their business is still thriving. “But I think it’s more than that now. He’s grown to love this place.”
I nod. The man seems different from our first meeting. He’s softened a bit, or maybe he’s just grown on me too.
Aaron cups my cheeks, forcing me to look at him. “Were you serious about the storefront?”
“Uh-huh. Can’t stop dreaming of the possibilities.”
Aaron kisses my lips. “Then take me home so I can dream about them with you.”
Thanks for reading JUST JACK!