Epilogue

Four years later

Jess unlocked the door of the eggshell-blue house on Cherry Lane, the smell of freshly brewed coffee making her groan as she flicked off her shoes and went into the kitchen. "You better have saved some of that for me!"

Kevin smiled at her, peering up from his laptop. "My dear Jessica, how dare you think I wouldn't save you a cup of coffee. It's like you don't know me at all."

She smirked and leaned over to him, planting a soft kiss on his lips.

"Mmmm," he hummed. "You smell like fish."

"I was clamming for two hours."

"Kinky."

She rolled her eyes and made her way to the sealed carafe on the counter, then poured herself a cup, the coffee steaming hot. "Where's Honey?"

"Still sleeping in bed. I think we're going to have to start setting an alarm for her."

She took a sip of her coffee and sighed, the taste making her feel all warm and tingly. She smiled, unable to contain her joy. It was a good morning. She's had a lot of good mornings lately.

She watched as Kevin's brow furrowed, concentrating on whatever new spreadsheet he was working on. "What are you looking at over there?"

"Figuring out how I can afford building a new storage space for the bikes," he said. "We're running out of room."

"Good thing you're selling them fast." She winked.

He sighed. "Yes, well, that won't be the case this winter. Plus, I don't want to take up more space than I have to in the café. It's always so slammed in there."

"Is the new patio situation helping at all?"

Kevin cocked a brow. "I don't know, boss . You tell me."

She grinned. "The café's daily revenue is up by thirty percent. Dad said they aren't turning away as many people now that they have more tables to work with. So I think yes, it's helping."

He chuckled, then glanced at the clock on the microwave above her head. "Speaking of alarms…"

Jess took one last sip of her coffee, then set the empty cup in the sink. "Yep, on it. I'll be ready in fifteen, it will be a quick shower."

He wiggled his brow. "Want me to join you?"

"Kev, emphasis on quick. Remember last time?"

His mouth twitched. "How could I forget?"

"We were thirty minutes late to Riley's dance recital. Dakota was furious ."

"So, so worth it."

She took a step backward, pointing a finger in his direction. "Fifteen minutes. Don't distract me."

"Sure thing, boss."

Jess rolled her eyes, then bounded up the stairs. The soft morning sun streamed in from the skylight windows along the hall as she made her way to the master bedroom. Sure enough, Honey was still asleep on the California King in her usual form—paws in the air, head lolled to the side, tongue out. Even after growing three sizes since they'd adopted her, her fur longer and darker, she still looked like that little pup when she slept. Like a reminder of their beautiful past, and their even better present.

As promised, her shower was speedy. She pulled on a pair of jeans and a T-shirt that said Honey Sweet Bakery , twisted her hair into a clip, and strapped on her favorite new pair of sandals. By the time she was coming down the stairs, purse and sunglasses in tow, Kevin was standing by the door holding the leash of a very enthusiastic and well-rested Honey, her tail wagging the second she saw Jess. She barked as well, the sound coming out loud and crisp.

Jess signed to her dog, motioning her to be quiet. Honey licked her hand and obeyed, then the three of them left the house and began their five-minute walk down to Main Street from their eggshell-blue house. Or as Kevin called it, their forever home.

He slipped a hand into the pocket of her jeans and squeezed. "I think these might be my favorite."

"You literally say that every time I buy a new pair."

Kevin grinned. "Yes, but this time I'm serious. I'm not sure how I can possibly go all day without a little squeeze," he said, his action supporting his words.

"Well then you better get your fill in now."

He looked down at her with that devious grin she'd come to recognize, the one he gave her when he had only one thing on his mind.

Kevin glanced around, making sure no one was looking as he snatched her hand and pulled her behind a tree. He dropped the leash; they never had to worry about Honey running away anymore. She was content to wait for them, always on the hunt for a flower bed to sniff or lie down in.

Jess leaned against the bark as Kevin slipped both hands in her back pockets, tilting her up as he pressed his body against hers and kissed her on the mouth. Even four years later, the sizzle was still there between them. She waited and waited during that first year with him in their tiny apartment, wondering when that moment would come and everything would finally shift; when the sizzle would slow, when the heated moments of passion became practiced ones of comfort. She waited for things to feel different after committing to therapy together, talking through her past wounds, developing tools that would ease her moments of panic, moments that were now few and far between. She waited for those changes, waited for things to fade.

But nothing ever changed; with Kevin, it was always good. She let go of her expectation and realized that she really had been wrong about relationships. A nine-year relationship with one person didn't make her an expert, especially when being with someone else could look so different. When being with someone like her golden boy set her world ablaze, where their love burned brightly and never snuffed out.

Kevin ran a hand up her thigh and traced his thumb across her jeans, right at the spot he knew well, the spot where she'd inked a climbing strand of ivy around her leg to match his own. It was a physical reminder that she, too, found her home.

He pulled back and nibbled on her bottom lip, then pressed his forehead to hers. "As much as I would love to lose track of time being utterly consumed by you, we need to get going."

She pouted. "Haverfest can wait. Zach texted me and said they already finished setting up."

"Yes, but there are things we have to do."

Jess cocked a brow. "I can't believe I'm saying this, but are you actually saying no to kissing me right now?"

Kevin groaned and squeezed his hands tight, then dropped her to the ground. "I can't believe I'm doing it, but yes. Trust me, denying myself my favorite thing is killing me on the inside."

She smirked. "Your favorite thing?"

He chuckled, patting her butt before twining his hand with hers. "Okay, my second favorite thing."

"Yeah, that's what I thought."'

They walked hand in hand down Main Street, following the double yellow line as they passed booth after booth preparing for the town's big annual celebration. She smiled, leaning her head against Kevin's shoulder as she gazed upon vendor tents, some faces she recognized, some she didn't. The town of Haverport had grown more popular over the years, people discovering how magical this little beach escape truly was. Jess knew part of it was likely Charlie's father and his successful restaurant that landed on the Michelin guide, the expansion of Cap's, and a few high-brow boutiques on properties he managed. Some townies complained about the changes, but Jess didn't mind; Honey Sweet Bakery was booming, and not because of Grampy's blueberry coffee cake that still had lines snaking out the door. It was because her kanelbullar was featured on multiple travel and food influencer accounts with hundreds of thousands of followers, originally in town to see the new developments, but finding her bakery to be the most exciting place to stop in at. She was selling bags of her signature cinnamon rolls at the same rate as the cakes these days—and handing covert bags outside the back door for townies. Three knocks for cake, four for kanelbullar. She hired a high schooler for the summer solely for that job.

Kevin slowed his walk, yards away from their booth next to the town green. Despite the commotion around them as artists and cooks set up for the crowds, the green was quieter. The white gazebo with views overlooking the ocean was completely empty, which usually wasn't the case during the summer months. Everyone loved to sit on the bench for a picture.

To her surprise, he guided her to the gazebo.

"Kev, what are you doing? You were in such a rush before to get to the booth."

"Wasn't exactly the booth I was going for," he mumbled. He stepped up onto the wooden planks, then dropped Honey's leash and signed for her to sit. She did, her tongue hanging open as she panted.

Kevin reached for her other hand and pulled Jess up with him, their bodies flush against one another.

"Jessica, I believe we never had the chance to finish your bucket list that summer."

Her brow furrowed. "What are you talking about? Yes, we did. I finished all ten."

"Yes, but you were so busy being brave, sweetheart, you forgot there was one more thing on there."

"I'm so confused."

He grinned, then reached into his back pocket for his wallet. He carefully pulled out a worn piece of paper, then unfolded it gently.

She chuckled at the familiar scrap of legal pad paper. "You still have it ?"

He scoffed. "Of course I still have it, Jessica! Do you think I would toss away the most important part of our history?"

"You're such a sap," she teased.

He grinned. "You picked your last thing on the list, but if you try to remember closely…"

She gasped and slapped her hand over her mouth. "You also added something."

"Sure did, sweetheart."

"Oh my god, I completely forgot."

He chuckled. "That's okay, we both said we would clock ours in at the time of our choosing. You chose the end of that summer. I choose now."

He handed her the paper. Jess lifted it and read through the list, smiling at the small doodles of dogs and beach waves and hearts that Kevin added throughout that summer. Check marks were ticked off for each number, until she reached the last one.

11. Say yes

She frowned. "Say yes to what?"

Jess looked up, realizing Kevin was gone. She dropped her arm and glanced around to find out where he went, then quickly realized he hadn't gone anywhere. He only changed his position, the piece of paper blocking him from where he now kneeled down in front of her.

Her mouth fell open.

Kevin beamed at her, then popped open the small maroon box in his hand, revealing the biggest diamond ring she had ever seen.

"Kevin…that ring is huge ."

His grin was infectious. "It sure is."

"How did you even afford that?"

"Secret savings account. It's a good thing my hot girlfriend taught me how to budget. And I would very much like to make her my hot wife. "

She kept staring at the ring—white gold band, yellow teardrop diamond.

"That thing looks like it has multiple carats."

"Good, because it does."

" Kevin… "

"Jessica Valerie, I love you so much it hurts. I've been wanting to get down on one knee since the day we made that list. Since the day I made the offer. You may think this ring is ridiculous, but so what? You deserve to be pampered and loved. I want to show you off because you sparkle even brighter than this ring, brighter than the ocean beside us, brighter than the sun above that beautiful head of blonde hair. I want the entire world to know that you're mine and I'm yours. You let me in and trusted me with your heart, and I intend on keeping it and protecting it for the rest of my life."

She grinned. "What's mine is yours and all that."

He laughed at the words he'd said to her four summers ago, when everything in her life changed. "Is that a yes?"

She kneeled next to him and brushed a hand through his hair, then linked her arms around his neck. "Well, I probably should finish this list, right?"

He pulled her close with that smile that still made her heart skip after all of these years, his eyes bright and full of adoration. His kiss was tender and slow, like they had all the time in the world. Because in their little world, they did. Forever was now on the table.

Cheers erupted out on the town green. Jess pried herself from his clutches and noticed many familiar faces standing on the grass, clapping and hooting and hollering.

Dakota stood there with Jasper, Riley running around at her heels wearing the Piglet shirt Jess bought for her last Christmas. Her parents were also there, arms linked. Tears streamed down her father's cheeks, but Arielle was prepared, standing beside her parents with Kevin's dad in tow. She handed him a cloth napkin from her straw tote, the two exchanging watery smiles.

Calvin and Melanie had their arms around one another, the new shiny gold bands on their left hands sparkling under the summer sun, their faces full of hope and love after making their vows barefoot in the sand two months earlier.

Rory and Tyler stood beside them, Rory cheering obnoxiously loud for Jess as Tyler cackled, then tackled her from behind and peppered her cheek with kisses. The two looked just as posh as their SoHo apartment in New York, where they'd officially lived together for a year. Jess couldn't help but radiate with pride as she'd walked around Rory's place that spring, proud of the once messy high school girl and her transformation into a confident graphic designer at a big publishing house, finally living with her boyfriend after four years of excruciating long-distance. All of the Scoopers supported Tyler when he decided to leave football behind following his graduation from Rutgers. Or at least the side of football where he was on the field. Now he was working his way up to becoming a sports journalist, hoping to work off the field with a microphone, giving his insight on every play-by-play.

Jay was even there, his face covered with an expertly trimmed beard, his hand linked with Vanessa's, the two of them looking slightly rumpled from their plane ride all the way from San Diego.

Blake also looked a little disheveled, likely from his drive down from Boston where he was spending his summer interning at a marketing firm. He said it was nothing like working at Scoops, and commented on how his job at the ice cream shop may have been the best he'd ever had.

Jess agreed; they all did. Especially when you ended up with a beautiful family such as this.

"They're all here," Jess breathed.

Kevin kissed her cheek. "I knew I had the best chance of them all being home if I did it today. I had a feeling you wouldn't want this day without them."

A smile stretched across her lips. "Yeah. You're right."

"Are you going to put that giant rock on your finger or not?" Calvin barked.

"Hmm, I haven't decided yet," she teased.

"She's lying, she said yes," Kevin jested.

More cheering ensued. Jess shook her head as she held out her hand, letting her fiancé slip the massive teardrop diamond onto her finger.

Zach jogged up to the group. "Crap, did I miss it?"

Blake crossed his arms, looking irritated. Zach laughed, then threw his arms around his boyfriend and lifted him up before planting a kiss on his lips. Blake's face flushed like it always did when he was around him. Five years into dating and their attempt at doing long-distance didn't seem to slow down their affection. Even if a tiff ensued every now and then.

Jess knew they would make it, though. Because that's what you did with the person you loved. You kept trying. You kept showing up. You sacrificed…but you also communicated your needs. When you truly loved a person, you trusted them to take care of you as much as you took care of them.

Kevin slipped his hands around the curve of her waist, splaying them on her lower back. "Forever, my dear Jessica?

Her hands found his chest, and she beamed up at him. At the man who made her life feel like pure sunshine. "I like the sound of that offer."