Page 78 of Leo, My Partner

EPILOGUE

TYSHAWN

Three months later…

The suit is hot, and we’ve been standing at the head of the church for what feels like forever, but both Sam and Beth look radiant. I’m able to look past my discomfort for their day of happiness.

I took care of all the best man stuff, but luckily, Sam didn’t want a regular bachelor party. Instead, me, Sam, and a few of our friends from Corpin got together and had a night of light drinking and games. It was way better than sweaty people dancing on us and getting shitfaced just for the sake of it. Sam liked it better than dancers, that’s for sure.

Scanning the crowd in the church, my eyes snag on Leo, and I smile. He grins back, his dimples showing as he basically undresses me with his eyes.

Before I got to the church, I had to beg Leo not to try to blow me when he saw me in my suit. His hands were fast and nimble as he undid the buttons on my shirt. I had to follow right behind his fingers to redo them, dancing out of his grasp. The only reason he left me alone was because I told him I’d go to the wedding by myself if he kept it up. His growl of displeasure almost had me stripping my clothes off instead of running away. But I had my duty as the best man to uphold.

The pastor snaps me out of my impure thoughts when he asks, “Can we have the rings?”

Quickly, I stuff my hand in my pocket and pull out the ring that Sam had made for Beth. It’s nice, three lab-created diamond stones gleaming in a platinum band.

Sam smiles broadly at me, taking the ring from my hand with a pat on my shoulder. Beth’s hand shakes as he slides the ring on her finger, her face open in a smile so wide it takes over her face. She’s stunning in an off-white strapless mermaid gown with buttons down the back. The tiara that adorns her updo complements her perfectly, making her look like a princess.

After they recite their vows, the pastor announces, “I now pronounce you husband and wife. You may now kiss the bride.”

They come together, kissing sweetly, looking at each other with all the love they have evident on their faces. The church full of their loved ones erupts in applause and hand in hand, Sam and Beth walk down the aisle together, smiling and waving at those assembled.

We have a good time at the reception. After I give my best man speech, I spend the rest of the time sitting with Leo and people-watching. I get in one dance with Beth before she and Sam decide it’s time to leave for their honeymoon.

Their exit couldn’t have come fast enough. I think I’m all peopled out.

Right after the happy couple leaves the reception hall, Leo and I take our leave. My phone rings just as I’m getting into the passenger seat. When I’m settled in, I pull it from my pocket and smile when I see Dad’s picture on my screen.

Since we went to visit my father all those months ago, Leo and I have been back at least once a month. It’s been great seeing him so often. He’s always happy we’re there, going through a lot of trouble to make us dinner, though he’s only fired up the grill one more time since my first visit. It’s getting too hot in North Carolina to stand over a grill, he said when Leo asked.

Cynthia has come by every time we’ve visited. She’s a nice, gentle woman—I can see why my father fell for her. I initially loathed to admit it, but my mom would have liked her if they’d met. She treats my father well, and she’s welcoming to me and Leo every time we come over.

The wrongful death suit my father filed against the big car manufacturer got about one hundred more plaintiffs, which didn’t look good for them if they went to trial, so they settled out of court, awarding each plaintiff between two hundred thousand to two point five million dollars. My father tried to offer me some of the money to get Tessa’s up and running, but I told him about the plan to combine it with Leo’s coffee shop. Since I didn’t need the money for the bakery, he bought me a new car and told me not to complain.

Smiling, I answer the phone, his handsome face popping up on FaceTime. “Hey, Dad.”

“Hey, Ty. You look nice. Sam’s wedding was today, right?”

“Yep. We’re just leaving now. It was really beautiful.”

“Tell him congratulations for me, will ya?” my dad says. I nod. “I was calling to see if you’ll be back next month. It’s Tessa’s birthday, and I wanted to know if you’d like to celebrate it here with us.”

I raise an eyebrow. “Us? Cynthia too?”

Dad smiles. “It was her idea. I planned to visit Tessa’s grave and leave her some flowers, but Cynthia suggested we have dinner to celebrate her life.”

Yeah, my mother definitely would have liked her.

Fighting back tears, I say, “Yeah, Dad. We’ll be there.”

“Great. We’ll be at Tessa’s favorite Greek restaurant on her birthday at eight o’clock. How does that sound?”

“Sounds perfect. I’ll see you then.”

“See ya. Tell Leo I said hello.”

Leo pipes up as he starts the car. “Hey, Jermaine. I’ll see you soon.”

---