Epilogue

EPILOGUE

TWO YEARS LATER

Jordan

Ellis stood onstage, dressed in a navy blue graduation cap and gown. Beside him, Vic—the most unlikely of friends—linked arms with him.

"Law school taught us to look at the world in new ways," Ellis was saying.

"It taught us to see past the surface, to analyze and question the law relentlessly until we find true meaning, " Vic added.

"We were tested." He shot a look at Vic, and they said together, "Sometimes we tested each other."

They both laughed. I shook my head, smiling from the crowd. The idea of Ellis and Vic sharing the spotlight as co-valedictorians—much less sharing a lasting friendship—had seemed impossible two years ago. I still found the guy to be abrasive and snarky, but Ellis had the biggest heart of anyone I knew.

Of course he forgave.

Of course, he found the good in Victor, his one-time rival.

Just like Ellis had tried so hard to find the silver lining on his breakup with Clay by winning him back. Thankfully, that one hadn't taken and he'd chosen me instead. He liked to joke that he'd learned to review the evidence, and I was clearly the winning case.

As I watched him finish his speech, grinning wide, practically glowing with happiness as he threw his hat into the air with a whoop, my heart flew, too. I was so damn proud of my man.

After the speech, graduates flooded the grounds to pose for photos. Ellis found me—and all our friends—waiting to congratulate him.

He swooped in to kiss me first, never shy about his affections. I cupped his face, holding him close, tasting his smile.

"I did it," he whispered.

"I always knew you would."

He hugged me so tightly I worried he'd crack a rib, then he released me to squeeze Becca, Austin, Chase, Zach, Tristan—and even Zach's little bro, Eric.

"You all came. Thanks so much!"

"Of course we came," Zach said. "We wouldn't miss it."

Then El's gaze fell on Brooks and Skylar and he absolutely lit up like the sun. "Oh my god, you came too! What about your resort?"

Ellis hug-tackled them both at the same time. They laughed, staggering under his enthusiasm. My El was full of boundless energy and stamina, and I loved it.

With him around, it was impossible to dwell on the dark clouds overhead. There was always a ray of sunlight in my life, sparkling, promising a happy outcome.

I drew him back. "Let them breathe, hon."

He chuckled. "Sorry. I'm just so excited! We haven't seen you since Zach and Tris got married!"

Skylar laughed. "That's okay. I'm letting the resort manager hold down the fort. We wanted to be here."

"We've got cake and drinks back at the house," Zach said.

Even after all this time, Zach was our glue. Once, we had met at his house because he needed to be there to watch over his little brother. Now, we did it because it felt like home.

Austin and Chase had their own place. Ellis and I did, too. But every week like clockwork, we met up at Zach's house for movies and snacks.

We commiserated with Becca over her attempts at online dating, which hadn't gone nearly as well as Zach and Tristan's. We teased Eric about his latest girlfriend drama at high school. And we made fun of each other for being boring old saps.

None of us had a lot of family in Seattle, but we'd made our own.

We parted ways to pile into our individual cars to drive over to Zach's place. As Ellis and I crossed the parking lot, he shed his graduation gown, revealing shorts and a bright pink tank top beneath. His favorite color. But why shouldn't it be? He looked fantastic in it.

The shirt exposed his large shoulders and biceps, molded over his sexy pecs, and made me think of a little celebrating we could do privately later.

"That's better," he said. "I was roasting in that gown."

I chuckled. "And now you're making me hot."

"What?" He glanced at my clothes, then his own, and snorted when he caught on. "Well, this crooked tie makes me hot for you."

He grabbed the tie and tugged me close enough to kiss long and slow, firing up my blood even more.

"After the party?" he asked, an invitation in his eyes.

"I've got a meeting," I said apologetically.

"The coffee shop on Austin's block?"

"Yeah, the owner Rosita needs some help figuring out a contract issue with the building owner."

Ellis smiled. "You'll do great work for her."

"And you'll do great work at the Seattle Pro Bono Center, Mr. Ellis Woods, Esquire."

"I've still got to pass the bar."

"You will."

"I will." He grinned. "And then we can be broke together."

I laughed. He wasn't wrong. We had opted to pursue legal paths that were more modest in their payoff. But what we lacked in dollars, we'd gain in peace of mind.

"As long as we're together and doing what we love, I'm happy," I said.

"Me too," he murmured, then reached around and gave my ass a squeeze. "I hope we can do this together later."

"Well, I didn't do all those squats at the gym for nothing."

I still hadn't taken to exercise as regularly as Ellis, but I went because it was something we could do together. Something that allowed me to share in El's favorite pastime outside of the law, one that he'd never give up.

The perks of a fitter body weren't so bad either. I'd never pack on brawny muscle or rock a six-pack, but I did feel better now that I didn't eat so much junk and sit on my butt seven days a week.

Ellis threw his head back and laughed, exposing the strong column of his throat, his Adam's apple, and delicious golden stubble.

"You know I'd love your ass in any shape, Jordie," he said, meeting my eye. "But I appreciate the dedication."

Arousal simmered, banked and ready for later when we were both free of family and job obligations. For now, I was content to bask in his happy glow.

"Come on, let's go celebrate the start of the rest of your life."

"The rest of our lives," he said, reaching for my hand and squeezing it. "I wouldn't be here without you."

"Oh, you would be. You earned this, El."

"Well, as long as I've earned you too. Because I like having you beside me."

"No worries there," I said. "There's no place I'd rather be."