Epilogue

Lio

One year later…

E xcitement and anticipation buzzed around me as I watched the latest election returns pop up on the television screen. We'd commandeered a backroom at the Hummingbird Café to watch the updates, but the celebration would occur on the outdoor patio. Ham, Abe's campaign manager, kept his eyes glued on the figures and his ear pressed to his cell phone. The polls had been closed for about thirty minutes, and he was besieged with updates.

"That's what I'm seeing too," Ham said. "I expect Abe's phone to ring any minute now. John Cumberland could drag this out all night, but it won't change the outcome. Abe will be Chatham County's next sheriff." And he'd won in a landslide.

My heart danced in my chest as I searched the crowded room for Abe. I wasn't surprised to see him deep in conversation with Alex, Eric, and Sergeant Royce Locke. Both boys had applied and been accepted to the Explorer program for the following year, and their questions were endless. Abe must've sensed my attention because he turned and looked at me. He quirked a brow as if to ask how it looked, but his phone rang before I could respond. The room went silent, and everyone looked in his direction.

"It's Cumberland," he said before accepting the call. Their conversation was brief and congenial, then Abe disconnected and returned his phone to his pocket. "It's official. John conceded the race."

Everyone cheered and migrated to Abe for a hug or handshake before moving out to the patio, where Abe planned to make a speech. I patiently waited until everyone was gone, then kissed him long and hard.

"I'm so proud of you," I said.

"None of this would be possible without you, Lio."

He gave me too much credit, but we could debate that later. He had a speech to give. We headed out to the patio, which erupted into cheers when Abe approached the podium. My heart swelled with pride as we greeted his supporters. Eventually, they settled down so he could address the crowd.

"I want to thank you for the love you've shown me and the support you've given my campaign from day one. I'd be remiss if I didn't single out a few of you. I need to start with my fiancé, Lio…"

I didn't hear much after that. Fiancé? Since when? We'd lived together for the past ten months but hadn't discussed marriage. Alyssa nudged me with her elbow, then whispered her congratulations.

Behind me, I heard Sergeant Locke say, "I told you so," to his husband, Sergeant Sawyer Key. "You owe me fifty bucks."

I tuned them out and returned my attention to the podium just as Abe finished his brief speech. I stood and crossed the patio to intercept him before someone else could. "Fiancé, huh?"

Abe grinned sheepishly. "Figured I'd speak it into existence." He bit his bottom lip for a second. "It's fine if you're not ready. It won't change anything. Just say—"

I cut him off with a hard kiss. "When!"

The End!