Epilogue
Six Months Later
“Do you have an itinerary?” Claire asks as she watches Ben run across my backyard with Hannah and Logan’s black lab, Morgan, close behind. It finally feels like summer, and we’re all enjoying sitting on the deck, soaking up the sun.
“Not really,” I say, sliding my sunglasses up on top of my head. “I have scheduled stops in a few cities, but I mostly want to see where the wind blows us. We might stop in Maine to see my parents on the way home. Who knows?”
My relationship with my parents has improved over the past few months. It’s not perfect, but we’re trying. Ryan’s unwavering support has helped heal some old wounds. I guess having a boyfriend who’s a therapist comes in handy sometimes.
“And how does Ryan feel about your plan?” Hannah glances towards where he and Carson are strategically loading bags into the back of his truck.
I twist my lips, thinking about how many times we bickered over my non-plan plan. “Umm. He’s a big fan of itineraries, and I’m not, so we’ve both had to make small compromises.”
“And?” she asks, tipping her head back, enjoying the warmth.
“He’s coming around,” I snicker.
“Sure, he is.” Meg grins, shaking her head.
Today feels like a dream. One I never thought would come true.
When I cancelled my plans last summer, I didn’t think it would be possible.
When Ryan asked me if I still wanted to go, I kind of shrugged it off.
Now here we are, with my tattoo equipment neatly stored in the Airstream, almost ready to hit the road together for the next two months.
He’s taken a leave of absence from work but agreed to meet with a few clients online while he’s away. I’m glad that’s an option for him. He’s as excited as I am.
Banks, Logan, and April are going to hold down the fort at Inkfluence. They decided not to bring in a new artist while I’m away. Apparently, I’m not easily replaced, and I’m okay with that.
“Did you put your coffee maker in the trailer?” I call out to Ryan.
He stops and lifts an eyebrow. “You know, it was one of the first things I did this morning.”
“What about my little plant and Lucy?” I narrow my eyes, challenging him. He thought it was ridiculous to cart a garden gnome and a plant across the country, and I disagreed. Guess who won.
“Secured in a box in the backseat, as you requested,” he mutters, shaking his head.
“Just checking.” I wink. He rolls his eyes and goes back to what he was doing before I can harass him again.
“You never stop giving him a hard time, do you?” Claire laughs, leaning back on her hands.
“Absolutely not.” I grin, watching him bend over to pick up another bag. “It keeps him on his toes.”
My gaze lingers for a moment. His baseball cap shadows his eyes, but I can see the curve of his smile and a dimple I adore as he talks to Carson and Logan.
He looks so relaxed and happy, and that familiar feeling of fluttering in my stomach hits again.
The one that never really goes away. I can’t help but grin because he makes me happy too. I love that man.
“He asked me to move in with him when we get back,” I tell them, tracing the design on my sneaker with my finger.
“Really? What did you say?” Hannah asks, green eyes bright with interest.
“I didn’t say no.” I lift one shoulder in a small shrug. “Let’s see how we feel after weeks of sleeping in the same small space, bad gas station coffee, and bickering over where we stop. We may need to retreat to our own beds when we return.”
“Unlikely,” Claire says, tipping her sunglasses down to look at me. “We see the pair of you together.”
I drop my gaze to my hands for a second before looking back up at them. “Either way, I’m not worried. He’s it for me.” I let out a soft sigh, warmth spreading throughout my chest. “I am head over heels for that man.”
Hannah bumps my shoulder lightly with a knowing smirk. “Head over heels, huh?”
Meg twirls an auburn curl around her finger. “Make sure you take lots of pictures. I’m going to live vicariously through you while you’re away.”
“I remember the first time I went out west.” Claire sighs nostalgically as she continues to watch Ben. “I’m happy you’re going with Ryan. You’re going to have the best time.”
“Absolutely,” I agree, before taking a sip of my cold pop.
“Is Maggie stopping by before you leave?” Hannah asks, wrapping her arm around me and resting her head on my shoulder.
“No, we said goodbye last night when we went to her place for dinner. She is so excited for us. She sent us home with snacks for the road.”
“Of course she did.” She sits up with a smile. “I would expect nothing less.”
We all turn towards the street when we hear Riot’s truck pull up in front of my house. Well, technically it’s not my house for the summer. He is moving in temporarily while we are away. The timing worked perfectly. He needed a place to stay while he’s waiting to move into his own house.
He hops out, and Logan meets him at the tailgate.
“Got a lot to bring in?” he asks, leaning against the bed of the truck.
“Nope, I didn’t bring much.” He lifts two hockey bags out and tosses them on the ground. “Everything else is in storage.”
“That’s all you brought with you?” Claire asks, pushing to her feet and walking towards him.
“Yep,” he says, popping the p.
She nudges one of the bags with her foot. “Are you planning on wearing the same three things all summer?”
The corner of his mouth lifts. “Maybe. It wouldn’t be the first time.”
I silently watch their exchange. They have an easy back-and-forth between them, like friends who know everything about each other. But Claire has never noticed how he hangs on to her every word or how his eyes light up every time she laughs.
Ryan comes to stand behind me and whispers in my ear, “The truck is packed. Are you ready to go?”
I turn my head and capture his lips in a quick kiss. “Yep, I’m ready.”
Taking a deep breath, I step towards my friends. Hugs, laughter, and quick promises to remember to text often.
Megan pulls me into a tight embrace. “Don’t forget my pictures.”
“I won’t.” Smiling, I squeeze her back. “Call me if you need to talk,” I add quietly.
She nods before stepping away. “I will. Thank you.”
Claire leans in with Ben balanced on her hip. “Have fun, you two. I’m already jealous.”
“I’m gonna miss you,” Ben murmurs, resting his head on his mom’s shoulder.
“Oh, I’m going to miss you too, buddy. But we can FaceTime.” I brush my hand over his rosy cheek. “I have a favour to ask. Do you think you can check on the little men while I’m away? I know you’ll do a great job.”
His head pops up, and he beams. “I can do that.”
“That’s my boy.” I kiss him on the forehead.
“That reminds me,” Hannah says, running over to her Jeep. It only takes her a moment before she returns with a green gift bag and hands it to Riot.
He glances down at the bag, then back up at her, brows pulling together. “What’s this?”
“Oh God, no,” Logan moans, rubbing the back of his neck. “We talked about this, Baby.”
Ignoring him, Hannah beams. “It’s your housewarming gift. Everyone who lives here gets one.”
He removes the tissue, peers inside, and pulls out a garden gnome wearing coveralls and holding a hammer.
“…A gnome?”
“Don’t question it,” I tell him. “Add it to the collection. The house demands it.”
Ben squeals, wiggling to get down. Claire sets him on his feet, and he runs straight to Riot.
“A new little man! Can I see it?”
He crouches low so Ben can get a better look. “What do you think?”
“Can we put it in the backyard with all the others?” he asks, bouncing on his toes with excitement. “There’s sooo many!”
“Sure, we can,” Riot agrees easily. “We’ll do it together after we say goodbye to Auntie Beck and Ryan.”
Claire laughs softly, rubbing Ben’s back. “I’m sure we can find it the perfect spot.”
I turn to Hannah and she pulls me into a giant hug.
“Be safe, okay?”
“I will,” I assure her, holding on for a second longer, soaking in the warmth of our friendship before we separate.
Ryan steps forward, clasping Carson on the shoulder, giving it a firm squeeze before nodding to Logan. “Take care of this one while I’m gone.”
Logan chuckles. “Don’t worry. I’ll keep him out of trouble.”
“Gonna miss you, man.” Carson pulls Ryan into a quick hug. “Have a good time.”
“Yeah, have fun. Safe travels,” Riot adds, reaching to shake his hand before turning to me.
“Hey,” he says, hugging me goodbye. “Thanks for letting me take over the yellow house while you’re away.”
“No problem.” I laugh, stepping back. “Just don’t let Hannah add any more gnomes before I return. Logan might lose his mind.”
With one last wave, I slide into the passenger seat beside Ryan. He’s already smiling at me, with one hand resting on the wheel. I glance once more at our friends gathered on the veranda—the people who have loved and supported me through everything. And then we’re moving.
Ryan catches my hand, fingers threading through mine. “Ready?”
“Let’s do this,” I say, my heart full of love. “Can I be the DJ?” I ask, grinning. “I have the perfect playlist.”
“You always do,” he laughs, smile lingering.
I connect, settle in, and turn up the volume. As the music fills the cab of the truck, our adventure begins.
.