“I need to get to the airport,” I said softly.
He nodded. “I know you do,” he replied. “And that’s why you’re taking this water bottle, to stay hydrated, and I’m going to give you this protein bar so I know you won’t starve on the plane.”
“Have I ever told you that you’re the fucking best?” I asked.
“You’ve told me I’m the worst, about a hundred times,” he said. “Mostly back in high school.”
I smiled. “And you’ve told me you hate me just as much.”
“Still hate you,” he said, coming up closer and pressing a soft kiss to my lips. “Hate that you’re leaving. And will hate it until I’m in your arms again.”
“There’s nothing else I want more,” I told him. “But I have to admit, I’m pretty sure I don’t hate you anymore.”
“Oh yeah?” he said, a teasing lilt in his voice.
“Mhm. Because I love you, Sam.”
He groaned, holding me closer, his fingertips gripping hard around my waist. “You know I love you, too.”
As I kissed him again, I knew this was just the beginning. I knew that no matter what happened in New York, that it couldn’t possibly be my home anymore.
Because my home was right here, next to Sam. And if he was going to be in Amberfield, Kansas, that was exactly where I wanted to be.
Epilogue
Sam, Three Months Later
“You can’t just get a Shirley Temple,” I said, leaning over the bar toward Logan. “We have about ten different incredible virgin cocktails on the menu, and you want a Shirley Temple?”
“I mean, they are a classic,” Fox said. He was sitting right next to Logan, in a seat that I’d come to view as his seat. Every time Fox came in, if it was open, he liked to sit right here, in the center of the long portion of the bar, watching me as I worked. And I liked showing off for him, too.
“Exactly,” Logan said, his eyes dancing over the virgin cocktail menu again. “All of these sound amazing. But I guess I’m not a very adventurous person. I want the classic.”
“Well, Sam can make you a very good Shirley Temple after he’s done giving you shit about it,” Red said, appearing behind the bar. “Liam is coming in soon, too. He’s going to want one of the fancy ones.”
“Perfect,” I said. “Damn, is tonight bring-the-boyfriend night or what?”
Red gave me a grin. “Liam’s on his way.”
“Hey, I’m here any time I can be,” Rock said from the other side of the bar. He was head over heels in love with our cook, Perry, and he also had a special seat he loved, nearer to the end of the bar.
“Why do you always sit all the way down there?” I asked.
“So I can see back into the kitchen, obviously,” Rock said.
“Naturally,” I said. “I like it when you’re around. I’m not as afraid of fires.”
“That’s another reason I like being able to see the kitchen,” Rock said. “If Perry starts another kitchen fire, I can be back there quick.”
“I just like this spot because I can see Sam’s ass no matter where he is behind the bar,” Fox said, giving me a once-over.
A little thrill went through my whole body. I still loved hearing him say it just as much as I had months ago. I did a little twirl in place for him before I went on to making Logan a Shirley Temple.
“So I hear you’re looking to buy a home here in Amberfield,” Red said to Fox. I couldn’t keep a smile from my face as they talked about it.
“I think I’ll be moving here sometime in the next month, yes,” Fox said.
“You know we don’t have penthouse lofts here, right?” Red said.
“I grew up around here,” Fox said. “I think the closest thing to lofts in Amberfield are those little areas above barns.”
Red snickered. “Well, you already fit right in here at the tavern,” he said. “I’m sure you’ll find a home that will suit you well, too.”
“I’m going to try to find the oldest one I can, with the most character, and then fix it up,” Fox said. “I was telling Sam the other day that I’m sick of modern decor. I want a place with history, you know?”
“I think that’s a beautiful thing.”
Fox stretched his arms up over his head. I had to refrain from jumping over the damn bar and squeezing his body, he was so attractive.
“Especially now that I have so much time on my hands,” Fox said. “At least for a few months.”
Three months ago, Fox had finally ended his work for Chamberlight Investments. They’d appointed another CEO, a hot-shot from California who Fox said would do a wonderful job.
But Fox was done. Done with the world of investment banking, at least.
And though I’d never admit it directly, it was the best fucking thing that could have happened—both for his own mental health and, selfishly, for me, too.