10. Epilogue

Sam

Six Months Later

Despite the time difference and the fact that I was on vacation, I could not shake my baker's hours. Graham and I had been traveling around Ireland for six days already, and we currently resided in the Doolin Hotel, near the Cliffs of Mohrer. He was sound asleep next to me. Meanwhile, I was wide awake and hungry. Not for breakfast, but for him.

He and I had been together for six months, and it had been awesome.

After he and my brother bought the building, we moved Graham into my house and all of the business paperwork out of Gavin's house. We had spent a few weeks updating the office space in the building so that it was ready for the two of them to open their storefront.

Graham had slowed way down on the traveling, and this particular trip was special just between us. No blogs. No sponsorships. Just me and him and sightseeing.

I slept nude, since we had made love the night before. My gaze traveled down his face and over his chest, his pecs rising and falling with each breath. I trailed my fingertips lightly over his abdomen, then he caught my hand. My gaze flew back up to his face. His eyes were open. His mouth stretched in a mischievous smile.

"Good morning, Sam."

"Good morning, Graham," I said. "It is very early."

"It is," he agreed. "Did you have some plans for this morning?"

I grinned. "I could think of some," I said. I finished the journey my hand had been taking before he stopped me.

As we were finishing up getting dressed for the day, Graham pulled me into his arms and kissed me. I would never grow tired of having his lips on mine.

"Are you sure this isn't boring for you? You've been here a dozen times," I asked.

He laughed and shook his head. "I have only been to Ireland three times. I only visited the cliffs twice, and no, none of this is boring. I love going places with you."

"But you've seen it all before."

"Yes, but not with you. You bring joy to my life, Sam. Seeing it with you is like seeing it all for the first time."

"I was very excited when you went the first time. I loved all your pictures. I still go back and look at them."

"Blog number 38?" Graham teased. "I'm afraid to admit how many times when I was traveling and homesick, even before the two of us got together, I'd pull up your blog and read through your recipes. Before moving in with you, I didn't even own a mixing bowl or measuring cups. I've never baked anything a day in my life. But reading through your recipes was comforting."

"Thank you," I said, my heart warming.

"Come on. The best view is going to be as the sun comes up. Later we can go back for sunset."

We walked along the cliffs. There was a small crowd there, but being that it was way too early for anyone to be awake, it wasn't too bad. Plus, it was so open. So beautiful. The morning dew on the green grass glistened in the very early light of the day.

"This is amazing," I said, holding his hand.

There was a light drizzle because it was Ireland and it rained all the time. And the sky was overcast, but it was gorgeous. The breeze and salty air were breathtaking.

"I'm surprised you didn't bring your camera," I said.

"This one is just for us," Graham said. "No cameras, no blogs, although there might be something to post about later."

"What do you mean—"

He stopped suddenly, turning so that he was in front of me. "Sam, these past six months have been amazing. I love you so much. Long before I knew how you felt, I was drawn to you. It was easy to write off as just friendship. But I know now that it was so much more. My life would be empty without you."

"Graham," I said. People were starting to look at us now. Then suddenly he was on one knee, still holding my hand, but his other hand reached into his pocket and he pulled out a simple silver band.

"Sam, I'd really like if I could whisk you away. You are the compass that guides my soul as it travels through this world."

I laughed, I couldn't help it, the tears coming to my eyes.

"Will you marry me?"

"Yes. A thousand times, yes."