Epilogue Evan
One Year Later
One year. That”s how long it had been since Becca had driven right into my life, changing everything in the best possible way.
I still couldn”t quite believe it sometimes - that this fiercely positive bombshell of a city girl had chosen me, a grumpy recluse set in his ways. But every morning I woke up to her sleeping beside me, I knew it was real.
The past year had been a whirlwind of back-and-forth visits, stolen weekends whenever we could manage it. Becca would drive up to the cabin, and we”d spend our days hiking, snuggling beside the fire. Becca had even convinced me to join her for yoga a couple of times. And then I”d head down to the city, feeling out of place among the tall buildings and crowds, but willing to do anything and go anywhere to be with her.
I checked my reflection in the rearview mirror as I pulled into Ben’s cafe. I’d shaved this morning for the first time since I could remember. I’d always had some type of beard since I’d been able to grow one. It had been so long since I”d seen my own bare chin, I almost didn”t recognize the man staring back at me.
But today was a special day. Once in a lifetime. I wanted to look my best.
I studied my bare-faced reflection. I looked younger, more vulnerable somehow. But there was a light in my eyes that hadn”t been there before.
And it was all because of Becca.
I made my way out to the cafe, my heart pounding as I spotted Becca sitting at our usual table with a steaming cup of coffee. She looked up as I approached, her eyes widening in shock as she took in my clean-shaven face.
“Evan?” she gasped, standing up to meet me. “What did you do?”
“I shaved.”
“Yeah, I see that. Why?”
Ben wasn’t working the counter. A high schooler from in town was leaning against the register, scrolling through his phone.
I’d asked Ben to be ready with flowers and champagne in the kitchen.
“It’s a special occasion,” I answered Becca.
She blinked at me.
Not making her wait another moment, I knelt before her.
Her eyes widened as I pulled the velvet box from my pocket and opened it to reveal the glittering ring inside.
“Becca,” I said, my voice steady as if I’d been waiting to say these words my whole life. “You’ve brought love, warmth, laughter to my life. Fate brought us together and you’ve made me whole.”
I was so wrapped up in the little speech I’d practiced -putting feelings into words didn’t come easily for me -that I almost forgot to ask the question. Becca stared down at me, eyes glittering with gathering tears.
“Will you marry me?”
“Yes!” she exclaimed in a burst as if she’d been holding in the word to let me have my moment. She pulled me up and wrapped her arms around me, squeaking hard. I returned the squeeze, loving the softness of her, how she fit so perfectly against my chest. “I’m yours, Evan. Forever.”
Ben emerged from the kitchen with a bouquet. He nodded to the teen who ran back to grab the champagne and glasses. They corked the bottle and clapped while we embraced.
When we finally broke apart, Becca smiled up at me. “I can”t believe you actually shaved for this,” she teased, running her fingers over my smooth cheek. “I knew something was up the moment you walked in.”
I returned her smile. “I wanted to surprise you,” I said, pressing a kiss to the top of her head.
“Well, you definitely did,” she murmured, keeping her voice low enough that no one else could hear. “But just so you know, I expect you to grow it back as soon as possible. I fell in love with a mountain man, and that”s who I want to marry.”
“Your wish is my command, sweetheart,” I said, pulling her into my arms again.
After sharing drinks with Ben, the barista, and the few patrons in the cafe, Becca took a few moments to FaceTime her mom and a couple of friends.
Then, we found a moment to slip outside for a moment alone. As we stood beneath the blue sky dotted with thick, bright clouds, the cool mountain air all around us, I took her into my arms and rested my forehead against hers. “Thank you,” I whispered, my voice rough with emotion. “For loving me, for choosing me, for being my everything.”
Becca smiled, her hands coming up to frame my newly shaven face. “Thank you for letting me in,” she whispered back. “I can”t wait to spend the rest of my life with you.”
And we sealed our promise with a kiss.
The End