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Epilogue

Six months later

Ruben

“I can’t thank you enough for letting me spend my vacation here.”

Sighing, I glanced at Sway. “You’re going to have to start working in more prestigious kitchens. Don’t get me wrong, I’m happy you’re here—but it’s not doing you much good.”

“Oh, you eternal pessimist! What I’m learning from you is much more than I’d learn in a Michelin-star kitchen.”

“Not yet,” I tried to argue.

“Relax, I’ve already applied to Connie for an internship.”

I spun around. “Why didn’t you say anything? She’s a great boss!”

She waved her hand dismissively. “The semester was pretty stressful. I’m not complaining. But I really forgot to tell you.”

After glancing at the clock, I dug out a few to-go boxes.

Sway nudged me with her hip. “Who’s coming by?”

I pushed her back. “You know very well that the surf school is picking up their lunch.”

“The surf school.” She snorted amusedly and continued serving the guests in front of the truck.

“Hello, Ruben!” I looked up into my mom’s beaming face.

“Hey, Mom!”

She waved her rainbow flag energetically. “We’re ready to party.”

Behind her, my dad grinned. “We’ve already given out hugs.”

I loved their Mom/Dad free hugs shirts.

“That’s good! Someone has to hold down the fort when the rest of us have to work.”

“Do that, kid. Now go take care of your parents. We’re starving.” My dad was beaming at me.

I pointed to my colleague. “Can you order with Sway? I need to wrap this up quickly.”

“Of course.” My mom immediately turned to Sway, and I seemed to be forgotten.

I hastily packed burgers, potato wedges, and sandwiches.

Just as I had closed the last box, there was a knock at the back door. When I opened the door, I couldn’t help but grin from ear to ear thinking about Shane.

Water droplets still clung to his hair and shoulders. They sparkled like his eyes. He pulled me toward him by my T-shirt and kissed me deeply, as if no one else were around.

“Hmmm,” he murmured against my mouth. “What a delicious snack you are!”

“You’re crazy!” I ran a hand down his neck, got my own share, and then pushed Shane away from me. “You don’t want to keep the others waiting, do you?”

“Uh. They can wait as far as I’m concerned!”

As I turned to go back to the boxes, Ash came to the door with Indigo in tow. “Hey, Ruben, I wanted to grab two burgers for us.”