Epilogue 1: Maddox
"Come on." I tug Hannah along the sidewalk.
"We have plenty of time." She laughs as her steps hurry to keep up with mine.
She's right, of course. But she doesn't know the actual plan.
She thinks we're here for me to speak to a bunch of kids. And I will. Tomorrow.
But today is for her.
It's for us.
Because for the last seven months, she's made me the happiest I've ever been.
I still try to convince her to come back to work for me, but she loves her new job. And as much as I give Waller shit for hiring her without telling me, I secretly love her working there too. If she's not going to be where I can keep an eye on her, I trust Waller to do it. Plus, since he owns the place and he's my best friend and his office isn't far from mine, I spend most of my lunches in her office.
Lunches that are usually made by Ruth, who has made the kitchen her new home, always trying new recipes. And when Smidge gets involved, they bake enough to feed Max's entire football team.
In two months, the draft will start. And I know he has no control over it, but I really hope he ends up in Minnesota. Being surrounded by the people I love has become my life's purpose.
And I know Hannah isn't going anywhere, not now, not ever, but I need the world to know we belong to each other.
We follow the sidewalk around a turn, and Hannah sighs at my side.
"Aww, the library." Her hand flexes in mine. And at this point, I probably have a Hannah-sized imprint in my palm since we hold hands more often than not.
I squeeze her fingers back. "Let's go in."
"Maddox —"
"We have time, Bunny. Trust me."
She sighs and lets me lead her to the front doors.
The front doors we stood at almost sixteen years ago when we realized we'd been locked in.
I open the door, and Hannah Utley steps into the HOP U library.