Epilogue Big Things
SAWYER
“And that’s a wrap.”
The crew cheers at the director’s words, along with the actors—and the dog star emits a joyful bark—as Happily Maybe After finishes its first season, with the final scene being a kiss at the pet supply shop.
AKA—my business.
I cheer too. “Well done!” I shout. Since I’m trying to be more…effusive. Well, only occasionally. I still have a boss rep to maintain.
Levi’s eyes widen. “Look at you go.”
“I guess you do have it in you,” Hazel says with a smile.
“He’s full of surprises,” Zuri remarks as the crew starts breaking down the set as fast as they can.
Understandable. We have a fun night out planned to celebrate the season—but also the partnerships.
The dog runway show was a big hit, with Shortcake making an appearance wearing a bow tie while Dandelion modeled a vest, and Baxter a jean jacket.
So many more of our four-legged friends also strutted their stuff.
Jubilee wore a T-shirt with a Sam Silversmith logo on it.
It was designed by my girlfriend, who’s been having a blast making my merch.
The Sam Silversmith shirts sell out at every show, and she hawks them herself at a table she sets up at the front of Pour Decisions.
Didn’t see that coming. But then again, she’s always been supportive. Next week, she’s bringing some temporary tattoos.
Tonight, though? The whole crew is going. I turn to them in the dog play area. “I need to go get ready. See you all at Pour Decisions?”
“Can’t wait,” Levi says.
And the thing is, I can’t either. And I didn’t see that coming till I met Chloe.
* * *
Later that night, Duke introduces me, and I take to the stage. The place is more packed than it’s ever been. Duke even said he might need a new venue if I keep pulling crowds like this.
But I like this place. It’s one of the things in Darling Springs—or near it—that feels like home.
But the real part that feels like home? All these people. Ripley and Banks. Levi, Nisha, Hazel, and Zuri. Bridget and my mom. Noah from The Slippery Dipper. Chloe’s mom and Angelo. Her dad and Luca. Even my dad and his girlfriend are here. And my sisters, too, who adore Chloe.
But the person who matters most is the woman I met unexpectedly one spring night, and now she’s the one I want to share my life with.
I lift the mic and look to the gorgeous, smart, fiery redhead I adore.
“This one’s for the woman who turned my life upside down in the best possible way.
She’s the one I didn’t know I needed—and now I can’t live without.
” I pause, act like a thought’s just occurred to me, then say, “Speaking of…Why don’t you move in with me?
You, me, and our dogs. That’s all I want. ”
Chloe rushes the stage, hops up, and throws her arms around me. “I’m in.”
* * *
Later, when the show ends, we go to her home, collect her dog, then I ask as we leave, “Which one do you want to move into?”
“Yours, of course. It’s bigger.”
“Well, you do like big things,” I say, glancing down toward my jeans.
“And I’m going to enjoy big things tonight.”
“And every night,” I say.
“That sounds like a very efficient plan.”
I laugh. This woman just has my number. But she also has my heart. “Chloe, where you are, that’s home.”
She gives me a soft, heartfelt smile. “All of us. Together.”
We’ve become a little family, and I couldn’t be happier to share a life and a home with her and our two four-legged friends.
It feels like…it was meant to be. And I’ve never believed in that. Until now.