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Epilogue
Two Months Later
I stood with Nate in the high school parking lot, watching my students prepare for the Memorial Day parade. I’d been working with Mrs. Carlisle for a little over a month, and soon, the school year would be over, and I would spend the summer preparing for the start of my first year as a teacher. In the meantime, I was looking for a place to live. While staying with my dad had its perks, I was more than ready to move out on my own.
I’d asked Nate to help put together the float, and his mechanical skills had certainly come in handy in making sure all the moving parts worked correctly. The kids had opted to create a fireworks float with lights set up to look like fireworks bursting in the sky.
As the kids prepared to leave to join the parade route, I slipped my hand into Nate’s and gave it a gentle squeeze. It seemed the most natural thing in the world. We’d spent so much time together that spring, working on the float, helping Steven and Rose plan their wedding, and just enjoying being back together. With the summer coming, I hoped we might do some traveling as well.
“This feels like old times,” I said as I stepped forward to fix a string of lights that had fallen out of place.
“I was just thinking the same thing,” Nate replied with a warm smile.
My eyes met his, and the familiar electricity hummed between us. We were surrounded by giggling children, but somehow, it was as if we were the only two people in the room.
“Miss McAllister,” Robert said, pulling on my arm. “I think it’s our turn to join the parade.”
I glanced up to see Mrs. Carlisle waving at me from across the way. “Let’s go gather up the rest of our group.”
We formed a quick circle as Nate made one last check of the float. I gave my students a pep talk before sending them onto the float to take their places. When I stepped back over to him, he slid his arms around my shoulders.
“You really are an amazing teacher,” he said.
As the float began to move, we walked hand in hand with a few of my students. I couldn’t imagine being happier than I was at that moment, parading through my hometown with my high school sweetheart by my side.
The parade route was mercifully short, which was a relief in the late-May heat and humidity. Once all of the children were reunited with their parents, I collapsed against the float and let out a sigh.
“I love those kids, but I’m very glad today is over.”
“I hope you’re not too tired,” Nate said as he walked over to me.
“Did we have plans?” I asked, racking my brain. I didn’t recall anything specific.
“No, but I have a surprise for you.”
I sat upright. A surprise? I loved surprises! “Ooh, where is it?” I searched the storage room.
Nate chuckled. “It’s not here. You have to come with me.”
“Where are we going?” I asked when I saw we weren’t heading toward Nate’s car.
“Just trust me,” Nate insisted.
We walked up to the building, which only confused me further. He grinned and grabbed my hand again, pulling me toward the auditorium doors.
“Nate, what are you doing? We can’t break in.”
“We don’t have to,” he said slyly as he reached in his pocket and pulled out a key.
“What the—” I gasped. “How did you get that?”
“I have my ways.” He unlocked the door and led me toward the front of the theatre.
My eyes widened as I took in the stage. It was lined with LED candles, and it looked like someone had sprinkled something over the floor. As we drew nearer, the sweet scent of roses filled my nostrils. In the dim light, he helped me up the stairs and moved to center stage.
“What’s going on?” I looked around with wonder. Rose petals were scattered across the stage in the shape of a heart. “Who did all this?” When I turned to him, he wasn’t there. “Nate—”
He kneeled before me.
