Epilogue
EPILOGUE
THREE MONTHS LATER
“Remind me how many hours until my mother leaves,” Hannah mutters, leaning her head against my shoulder.
I glance down at my watch. “Twenty-seven.”
“Ugh.” She sighs and goes back to fixing the charcuterie board per her mom’s instruction, carefully separating the cheese from the meat to “avoid cross-contamination.” Meanwhile, I’m refolding napkins into triangles instead of rectangles because, apparently, rectangles are “uncouth.”
I shake my head with a quiet laugh.
Our house is packed with friends and family. Hannah’s parents, mine, and Mia are all here, along with my teammates, Hannah’s friends, and her rescue volunteers. They’ve all come to celebrate with us. Not a wedding— yet —but our housewarming. It’s the first party we’re throwing together as a couple now that the season is over.
After the worst season of my career but the best months of my life, it’s nice to start this new chapter surrounded by the people who’ve been part of it all.
We set down the now-corrected tray and napkins on the kitchen island, where a spread of food and drinks is laid out. The patio door is open, letting in the fresh summer air, the breeze carrying the sounds of laughter and conversation from outside.
I finally feel like everything is as it should be—Hannah and me together, building the life I always imagined, even back when I was just a dumb college kid. This was always the end goal, and it’s surreal that it’s real now.
I lean down, placing a kiss on Hannah’s head. “I love you, Sunshine.”
She smiles up at me. “I love you more, Ry.” Not possible, but I’ll let her have this one. She pulls me down for a quick kiss.
With her hand in mine, we head outside to find our friends and make our hosting rounds. Fred is hot on our heels; probably hoping Hannah will drop him a snack.
When we make it over to Fox and the group surrounding him, he raises his glass, clinking a fork against it. As others catch on and join in, he starts to chant, “Kiss, kiss, kiss.”
Hannah hides a smile, and I shake my head with a grin. Typical .
Mia, standing next to him, shoots him a scolding look. “You know this isn’t a wedding, right? That’s not a thing at housewarming parties,” she mutters, loud enough for us to overhear.
Fox shoots her an equally hard look. “It’s their coming-out party.”
“Excuse me?” Mia’s eyebrows crinkle with confusion.
“You know, like a party to celebrate their new relationship,” Fox explains, unbothered by her look of disgust.
Mia just shakes her head, angling her body further away from him, as if standing too close might associate her with him.
Hannah buries her face in my chest, laughing. “They’re a ridiculous pair,” she finally says when she catches her breath.
Fox brushes Mia off with a dismissive wave, and he picks up his chant again, this time louder, “Kiss, kiss, kiss!”
I lean down, capturing Hannah’s lips with mine, indulging him. Not like I need an excuse to kiss my girl—it’s one of my favorite pastimes.
“To Ryan and Hannah, may their love grow in this brownstone… that’s not nearly as nice as the one next door,” Fox toasts with a wide smile.
Leaning down, I whisper in Hannah’s ear, “Remind me not to let him give a speech at our wedding.”
She hides her amusement behind her wineglass.
“I hope to one day have the kind of love you two share… and I think I will soon,” Fox continues, much to my disbelief.
“I thought he was done with his little speech,” Hannah whispers.
“I hoped he was.”
But, of course, he’s still not finished. “I know this is your day, but do you mind if I steal the spotlight for a minute to make an announcement?” he asks, as if he hadn’t already hijacked it.
I gesture for him to go on, while Hannah tries, and fails, to hold back her laughter.
“If it weren’t for Hannah and Ryan introducing me to my favorite show, You’re The One , I wouldn’t be able to stand here and tell you all that I’m going to be their next bachelor.”
The room erupts into a mix of laughter, looks of confusion, and dropped jaws. Volk comes up, patting him on the back in mock support. “Another one bites the dust,” he mutters.
“I’ll always be a Sinner, don’t worry, bud,” Fox assures.
Ada and Natalie snicker from their corner of the yard, clearly enjoying the spectacle.
Mia, still standing by his side, looks like she’s seen a ghost. I can’t blame her; I’m right there with her—shocked and confused.
“Is this for real?” Hannah asks, her eyes wide and brows raised.
Before I can respond, Fox raises his glass, finally wrapping up his speech… hopefully. “To finding your one true love.” He tips his glass toward me and Hannah with a grin. “Looks like I’m next.”