Epilogue
Rowan
Two Months Later
I’ve never seen Circus happier, which is bizarre considering the twenty-four hours we’ve just had.
After visiting his parents’ graves yesterday and following it by having an awkward dinner with my family, by the time we got home, we were both feeling flat.
My parents are … trying, I guess. Dad barely spoke, and Mom spent the whole time bringing up business. Either the gym, or the diner, or Circus’s modeling.
It could have been worse.
The whole day is weighing on me, but Circus has already been out to collect the eggs from our chickens and is looking over the list for today’s party.
Red, white, and blue decorations are everywhere.
“Happy Fourth of July,” I say cautiously as I join him in the kitchen.
His smile splits his face. “Too much?”
“I think you hit too much about ten garlands of flags ago …” At least. I can’t see the ceiling through everything hanging from it.
His long table has red, white, and blue flowers running down the middle, there are American flags hanging from the walls, and on the grass outside he’s set out blankets and cushions around a fire pit. “I didn’t know you were so patriotic.”
His full lips turn into this cute little pout. “It’s our first holiday together. I wanted it to be … memorable.”
God, he melts me. “I can safely say this is unforgettable.” Circus lets me pull him closer, and I wrap my arms around his waist. “When did you do all this?”
“I’ve been up since five.”
I laugh. “Why didn’t you wake me?”
“Yesterday was a big day.”
“For both of us,” I point out. “It was your first time visiting them.” He squirms a little in my arms. I’ll never forget the pain on Circus’s face.
It took so much out of him to finally go out to the cemetery, and then to face my parents and play the role of perfect boyfriend seamlessly, I don’t think I’ve ever been so impressed by him.
“I want to go more often. I think I felt guilty more than anything.”
“We will.” I kiss his hair. “Whenever you like.”
“As much fun as it is to sit here and relive my grief, we also have a hell of a lot to do before everyone gets here.”
“Okay, put me to work.”
He thrusts a list at me. “Food. That’s all you need to worry about. And Rowan?” He pins me with a serious look. “No pressure, but make sure it’s perfect. This is the first time I’ve had anyone here, and I’m just a bit nervous.”
“I got that impression.” It’s sweet though. Him wanting to impress his friends—our friends. And it feels oddly grown-up of us to be throwing a party in our home. “We don’t need to talk about how much all this cost, do we?”
“Probably best not to. Especially if we factor in the fireworks.”
“Fireworks?”
“It’s the Fourth of July.”
I drop my head onto his shoulder and muffle my laugh. “Never a dull moment with you.”
“You’re welcome.”
And I wouldn’t have it any other way. With Circus, it doesn’t matter if we’re on a day trip somewhere, or having a few nights in LA, or spending a lazy Sunday on the couch. He’s my everything.
Coming back to Sunbury, I never imagined my life would turn out like this, let alone that Circus would be a part of it.
And while I’ll always regret how I left and how long we spent apart, I know I wouldn’t be here without it.
I’m also lucky enough to have the rest of our lives to make it up to Circus.
He deserves nothing less.
And for the first time ever, I can give him all of me.
Including the best Fourth of July he’s ever had.
I grab the Kiss the Cook apron he bought me for my birthday and point to the words. “Out of interest, should this be a general rule whenever someone enters the house?”
He smirks. “I wonder how red Tanner would go if we suggested it?”
“And how dead I’d be after Royce was finished with me?”
“New plan. I’ll kiss you enough for everyone.”
And he does. Slow and deep, and I return it just as lazily.
“Love you,” I murmur against his lips. “Always have.”
“And always will.”