Epilogue

Rory saton the floor at Calvin's house, a cup of tea next to her in a rather ugly mug, the sun painted on it like it was done by a kindergartener. Which, according to Melanie, it was.

"Hmm, I can't decide. I love the colors on this one, but the lettering here is so much clearer," she explained, holding up two different designs in each hand.

Tyler nudged her hip with his foot, his legs tucked in next to Rory as he sat on the couch behind her. "I think the colorful one. It's more you."

"Yeah, but she's right," Calvin retorted. "Our older customers may not be able to read it well."

"Babe, I highly doubt older customers are even going to bother buying stickers that say They're Not Sprinkles, They're Jimmies," Melanie added.

"Headband, we have a lot of loyal customers. They may buy simply to support us."

"Then having bigger letters probably won't matter much," Rory said. "You're right, Ty. Colors it is."

He kissed her on the top of the head. "Good."

Kevin stepped into the living room, holding a plate of oatmeal chocolate chip cookies. "Guys, someone tell Gram to stop baking cookies. She's a machine back there."

Melanie snatched a cookie off the plate. "Never."

Calvin frowned. "Weren't you supposed to pick up pizza, like, a half hour ago?"

Kevin's eyes went wide, fumbling with the plate as he dropped it onto the table. "Shit, sorry. I got pulled into cookie heaven."

"Maybe we should call Penny's and add another pizza now that Tyler is here?" Rory asked.

Tyler barked out a laugh. "Just for me?"

"I'm sorry, have you seen yourself lately?" she teased, shoving his leg as she stared up at him. "I thought you were a human garbage disposal before, but training for camp has somehow transformed you into an entire dumpster truck."

Tyler wiggled an eyebrow at her, puffing up his chest. "You don't seem to be complaining."

"Keep it in your pants, Chapman," Calvin retorted.

Tyler chuckled darkly, his eyes on her like molten dark chocolate. They still hadn't taken that final step together, but Rory was content with waiting and making it count. With Tyler, she knew this thing was going to be a lifetime kind of commitment. There was no rush. She wanted to enjoy every second of it.

But that hadn't stopped them from constantly having their hands on one another when they weren't apart, the need to touch him a constant tremor in her being. She still couldn't believe how long she went without touching Tyler like this…and hated that it took her this long to realize how much she needed the boy next door.

The ringing of the doorbell had Rory ripping her gaze from Tyler's, trying to avoid the way her body was responding to the slow circles he traced down her neck as she watched Calvin frown over at Kevin.

"Did you order the pizza for delivery?" Calvin asked.

"I don't think so?" Kevin replied, opening the door. His body went rigid as he gazed at the person on the other side. Everyone had gone silent. Her blonde hair was tied up in a bun, the long wispy bangs she was growing out tucked behind her ears.

But it wasn't her signature glasses missing from her face or the stained T-shirt she wore that shocked everyone.

It was the pile of duffel bags and suitcases she had by her feet.

Jess glanced at Calvin, who was already off the floor and walking toward the door. Her eyes finally landed on Kevin, her look determined as she spoke.

"Is it too late to take you up on the offer?"