Epilogue

Hayden

Eighteen months later

I've been waiting for the perfect time and place to pop the question to Mills.

But nothing has felt right.

When Mills first brought me to her hometown in Kentucky to help out with Graham, the infant that was literally dropped into the lap of Mills' brother Owen, that was not the right time or place. Although I got on with her brother and the rest of her family like a house on fire, everyone was focused on helping Owen adjust to an unplanned fatherhood.

Honestly, I found it to be pretty moving the way that Mills and her mother rallied around their single brother. Even with a frozen yogurt shop in the works, Summer and Harmony stopped in to help whenever they weren't on the job site.

When we returned a few months later to celebrate the grand opening of the frozen yogurt shop, any ideas about proposing at that time felt like we'd be stealing their thunder.

It's not until I'm running the trails at Griffith Park one day with Stella's husband Luke that I receive inspiration.

"Man, I just don't know."

"What do you mean you don't know?" Luke says as we jog side by side. "What are you waiting for?"

"I don't know! I have all these ideas but nothing feels right. I thought about proposing at the Laugh Lodge at the end of her set, but that seemed wrong."

"Huh," Luke huffs out, barely breaking a sweat. As we round the corner, with the Hollywood sign in the distance, he asks, "What does Mills do when she's not working?"

"Hanging out at her house, or my house. Most days I can find her at the dog park."

Luke is silent for a minute as I list off half a dozen other ideas that I've had. A candlelit dinner in Beverly Hills. Santa Monica Pier. A sunset walk in Malibu.

Then it hits me, and it all comes together.

"I think I know what I'm gonna do, Luke," I say.

We pause for a water break, and he claps my shoulder. "Proud of you."

"Thanks," I breathe, chugging my water and catching my breath.

"So, when can I tell Stella? You know I can't keep a secret from her."

"Give me 24 hours to pull everything together," I laugh.

Mills

Susan is acting weird.

The two of us have been on the phone to chat about shooting a commercial for a bigger, national brand. Susan really wants Hayden involved again, but Hayden is still undecided.

"Maybe he'll say yes if you do," Susan says.

"What does that mean?" I ask.

"Nothing! I don't know what kind of sexual favors the two of you get up to!"

"Huh? Susan, did you take too many weed gummies this morning?"

She laughs. "That must be it. But when you see Hayden today please ask him again to do the commercial."

The sex lube commercial that Hayden and I filmed together not only went viral on social media but it caused quite an uptick in the number of comedy venues that have been reaching out to me.

It's nice, for once, to be able to pick and choose my gigs instead of relying on said gigs to make ends meet.

At the same time, the viral commercial also caused stocks to spike for Conquest Sports on the NYSE.

"I probably won't see him until tomorrow. I have to take Monster to the dog park and then I'm taking a nap before my gig."

"Awesome!" Susan exclaims like my routine is somehow new. "I heard about some fundraiser going on in the neighborhood so you may want to wear something nice in case there are cameras around. And make sure Monster is wearing his favorite tuxedo, okay? Bye, honey!"

I stare at my phone after hanging up with Susan, wondering if something heavy fell on her head.

Well, heck. I don't need an excuse to dress my dog up in formal wear.

Five minutes later, Monster and I are ambling down the street toward the dog park, just like we do every day, except I'm in my favorite sundress and heels, and Monster's wearing a bow tie.

"Are you looking forward to seeing your friends?" I ask him.

He gives an excited grunt as we approach the gate.

Something is off, though.

I see a massive pink and gold balloon arch, a red carpet, and streamers dancing in the breeze. All of our dog friends and their owners are here at the same time. Strangely, everyone is dressed up like they're at a movie premiere, even the animals.

"Wow, Susan was right that there's something going on today. Hi guys!" I wave to all our friends as we enter in through the gate and I detach Monster's leash.

That's when I see Susan, some friends from the comedy club, Hayden's mom, Kate, his sister, Ana, his cousin, Grizz, And Grizz's wife, Dylan, and their dogs. Then I spot Stella and Luke, who I know for a fact do not own dogs. And they all look very, very excited.

"Guys, what is going on?"

Evidently, that's their cue to move. The crowd parts down the middle, and Shelby runs up to me. I squat down to give Shelby a pet. "Hey, girl! What's going on? Where's Hayden? And did you get a new collar? Oh…wait…what's this?"

As I give Shelby scratches, my hand runs into something strange attached to a new rhinestone collar.

Upon closer inspection, it looks like a small box.

"What the heck is going on today?"

"Think about it." These words come from a deep voice to my left. I turn and see Hayden standing there, and the look on his face finally makes everything click into place.

I stand up as he approaches on the red carpet.

My voice is thick with tears as I babble almost incoherently. "The balloons…your family is here…Hayden, did you do this?"

And then that broad chest is right in front of me. Hayden, looking unbelievably handsome in a summer suit. My mouth is agape as he kneels down in front of me and detaches the box from Shelby's collar.

He opens the box and holds it up to me.

"Mills Mosley, the moment I met you I was exhausted, frustrated, and not thinking clearly. But as soon as I laid eyes on you and felt your gentle, kind spirit, everything became clear. I knew without a doubt I had to have you in my life."

Bawling. I'm absolutely bawling like a baby.

"Will you make me the happiest man alive and do me the honor of being my wife?"

I'm unable to speak through the tears that come and come. It's not until Monster puts his little paw on Hayden's bent knee that I laugh and finally get the words out.

"Of course I'll marry you," I blubber. My hands shake as he slips the ring — a vintage square-cut diamond — onto my finger.

I don't know how long we stand there and share our first kiss as an engaged couple. I don't know how long people watch and clap and cheer and bark.

But I do know this is the perfect proposal.

When we finally pull away from our kiss, Hayden rests his forehead against mine. "How'd I do?"

"Next time you ambush me, give me some time to put on my makeup. Other than that, perfect."

"That's not a real ambush though, is it?" Hayden asks with a laugh. "How would it be a surprise?"

"You're a very talented stalker," I tease. "You'll figure it out."

THE END