Total pages in book: 80
Estimated words: 77941 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 390(@200wpm)___ 312(@250wpm)___ 260(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 77941 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 390(@200wpm)___ 312(@250wpm)___ 260(@300wpm)
“I do, but…” He was clearly not sure how Rhys felt about it.
“Then let’s go.”
“Really? I thought you’d want to stay here. You’ve got another whole day of this tomorrow.”
“I know it’s a lot for me, but I want you to see the bonfire. As long as we don’t stay long, I’ll be fine.”
Caleb gave him a slow once-over. “I don’t think I’m going to want to stay for long either, but thank you for being willing to go with me.”
They walked back down the street into the square. It was darker now, and the fire was fully going. They made their way to where their friends were standing. Caleb hugged Finn and Tessa and took the chance to congratulate them again on their win. Everyone was so excited about how many prizes had gone to Frostwick Harbor businesses. The festival was already a huge success.
Rhys leaned back against Caleb as they stood watching the flames rise higher and higher. People were drinking hot chocolate and cider that was being sold from the only booth that remained open for the evening.
The mayor gave a speech, and everyone applauded, excited for the festival, for the beauty of the leaves, and the camaraderie of the town.
Caleb was so happy to be there. He was absolutely certain he’d made the right choice moving to Frostwick Harbor. This was the kind of life he had dreamed about, and he was living it now. Hopefully, he was going to get to live it with Rhys for a long time, maybe even forever.
He leaned down to whisper in Rhys’s ear. “Are you ready to go?”
Rhys nodded, and they waved goodbye to their friends, knowing they would see them the next morning.
They could still hear everyone celebrating as they walked along the street. There were only a few people out who weren’t at the bonfire. When they reached the front of Cloud Nine, Caleb turned to Rhys and took both of his hands. “This has been one of the best days of my life.”
“Mine too,” Rhys said. “I’m so glad we did this together. I’m so glad that I got over being afraid. I know everyone’s talking about us, but right now, I don’t even care.”
Caleb grinned. “Neither do I.” Then he kissed Rhys, cupping his face in his hands and holding him in front of the shop he’d designed as they celebrated the partnership they’d made for the festival and now for the future. He was exactly where he was meant to be.
EPILOGUE
Six Weeks Later
Caleb had just pulled his oyster dressing out of the oven when Rhys burst back into the apartment from the shop below.
“I’m sorry. I said I was going to make you a holiday spice latte, but—” He realized Caleb was holding a cup.
“Wait. What are you drinking?”
“A double shot of espresso.”
Rhys frowned. “Seriously? Just plain. Without sugar?”
“Yes. The taste has grown on me. You know that.”
“I guess, but I thought you only drank them with me.”
He shrugged. “I wanted one this morning.”
“Really?”
“Yes. You’ve converted me. I don’t always have to have something sweet.”
“I love you.” Rhys’s words and his big smile made Caleb’s heart skip a beat.
“I love you too. I still wouldn’t say no to following this up with a latte.”
“How wired do you want to be today?”
Caleb grinned. “After how little sleep we got last night, I need all the caffeine I can get.”
Rhys began measuring beans into the grinder. “Whose fault is it that we were up half the night?”
Caleb laughed. “Like you didn’t love every minute.”
“Maybe I did, but sleep would have been good since we’re spending all day with people.”
“We can leave anytime you need to. You know Tessa and Finn and their family will understand.”
“I know, but you don’t have to leave early if I do.”
“Let’s just see how the day goes.” Rhys narrowed his eyes. “Shit. You hate when people say that.”
“I do, but I think today I’ll be all right since I’m with people I feel safe around.”
Caleb took his arm and pulled him away from the espresso machine. “I’m so glad I make you feel safe, especially since you used to just want to run from me.”
Rhys looked down at his feet. “I was never running from you. I was running from my own fears.”
Caleb lifted Rhys’s chin and gave him a soft kiss. Rhys started to deepen it, but Caleb pulled back quickly. “Any more of that, and we’ll be right back in bed.”
Rhys grinned as he pointed to the oyster dressing and the marshmallow-topped sweet potato casserole. “Why don’t you take these containers of food out to your truck, and I’ll make your latte.”
“I could make it myself.”
“But I like making drinks for you.”
Lured back in by his sweet smile, Caleb reached for him again, but Rhys shook his head. “Go, or we’re going to be late. We can’t deprive them of the marshmallows.”