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“You two behave tonight,” I tease, throwing a wave to TD and Ellie.
“We won’t,” she quips back, a grin on her lips that tells me they’ll take full advantage of the empty house when they get home.
I head to where Logan is still standing. “Everything all right?”
“Yeah. Ava broke down, so Marcus had to take off to tow her car.”
“That’s too bad,” he says, extending his hand for me to take.
“It is, but she has a ride home, so I’ll send her a message tomorrow to check on her.”
He nods, guiding me to the exit. We hurry to his truck, which he gratefully started to get both the engine and the cab warm, and climb inside.
As soon as he’s in the driver’s seat, he reaches for my hand, bringing it to his lips and placing a kiss on my knuckles. The familiar butterflies take flight in my stomach, something that still happens whenever he’s near. I hope that burst of anticipation and excitement never stops. I know my love for him won’t. The man I once thought a pain in my ass quickly turned into the one I can’t see my life without.
“Now, tell me more about that pink nightie waiting for us at home.”
Another Epilogue
Ava
I fire off a quick thank you to Marcus, feeling awful he’s having to leave Gabe and Blair’s wedding reception to come bail me out of trouble, but that’s what happens when you’re the only repair shop and tow service in our area. As my rear end isn’t completely off the road, I don’t want to leave it until morning, since it could cause an accident for a passing vehicle, despite having the emergency hazards on.
I wrap my arms around myself, hating the fact I’m not wearing a winter coat. It just didn’t go with the dress I wore to the wedding, but I’m desperately regretting that decision now. This sweater is warm but not providing nearly enough comfort in a disabled car in the dead of winter. I make a mental note to stock up on emergency supplies for my trunk very soon.
A pair of headlights fill my rearview mirror and stop directly behind my car. My heart starts to beat hard as I reach over and press the lock button. Twice. I clutch my phone in my hand, ready to dial 911 when the person who stopped behind me opens their driver’s door. I can’t tell who it is or what kind of vehicle, thanks to the blinding lights in my mirrors. My heart pounds even harder as I feel the person approach my door and knock on the window. I lift my phone, ready to call for help.
That’s when I catch a glimpse of a familiar face.
“Hey,” he hollers, lifting his hand and giving me a friendly, nonconfrontational wave.
“Mr. Pierson?” I holler through the closed window, surprised to find the father of one of my students standing beside my disabled vehicle this late at night.
He flashes me a warm, disarming smile that makes my heart flip in my chest. “Just Gavin, Miss Rutledge. To you, I’m just Gavin.”
