Page 88 of Eternal Hoptimist

His cheeks tinged pink. “It seems only fair that I would pay for it if I’m asking him to take on additional duties.” We both knew that was bullshit. Hector wanted to become a paralegal but said he had a hard time justifying spending the money to get the certificate.

Parker and I held hands under the table as I sipped my grapefruit mimosa and glanced around at my growing family. What once was four had become seven, with Parker and Caleb in the picture and Seth back in town and becoming a more permanent group member.

Before I went off to college, I’d hoped to make at least one friend. Never in a million years did I expect to make three who would become as close as brothers, two of us finding partners who fit in seamlessly, and a brother who felt like he’d always been there. I was so grateful for our growing Tap That family and couldn’t help but wonder who might join next.

I laughed when Ty flipped his brother off from the small iPhone screen after Seth insisted on meeting the guy Ty was staying with. I’d never seen Ty blush like that.

“I love your family,” Parker whispered in my ear.

“They love you too, but not as much as I do. Now show me a picture of that basement.”

EPILOGUE

December 31—one year after meeting

ETHAN

Once I secured the precious cargo under the watchful eye of the new bakery owner, I drove to the edge of town. Everyone was bending over backward to show Rosie a good time during her visit for the holidays. The box of cardamom rolls the baker had set aside especially for her was proof. The cute bakery guy never set aside cardamom rolls for me, but I supposed I lacked the charm of an eighty-something-year-old woman.

I waved at Hayden as I pulled up to the office that had once been a house at the edge of Dahlia Springs. He looked up from unwrapping a shiny new sign that read Dunn Law Office.

The man of the hour, the love of my life, stood on the front porch, beaming, with his phone aimed at Hayden.When he looked over at me, his smile grew. I grabbed one of the pastry boxes and climbed out of the car.

“Didn’t expect to see you here today,” I said to Hayden.

He lined the metal hoops and hung the sign on its wooden stand. “Got a few things I wanted to get done before leaving town for the long weekend. Thought it would be nice for Parker to see it when he comes back to work next week.”

My heart melted at his thoughtfulness. I squeezed his shoulder as I walked past. “That’s kind of you.”

He flashed his “aww shucks” smile and got back to work.

Parker was practically bouncing on his toes by the time I reached him. I was thrilled to get to be a part of his big moment. He’d worked hard all year while slowly taking over Jun’s practice. Jun had basically stopped working a few weeks back, but after today, it was all Parker’s. I was so damn proud of him.

I stretched on my toes and gave Parker a lingering kiss that was probably better suited for behind closed doors, but it wasn’t anything Hayden hadn’t seen before while he’d done some work on Parker’s house.Ourhouse.

Parker’s arms looped around my waist as he pulled me in. “Happy anniversary,” he said against my lips for the dozenth time. He’d woken me up by whispering the words against my thighs.

There had been so many milestones at the start of our relationship that we could celebrate as an anniversary. When we’d met on New Year’s Eve, when I proposed our arrangement, when we agreed to add kink 101, when we’d decided to stop faking on Valentine’s Day, or when things gotreallyreal at the firm’s gala. Since Valentine’s Day was kinda his dad’s thing, and we didn’t want to think about his old job more than we needed to, we agreed New Year’s Eve would serve as our official anniversary. Neither of us would forget the date, and the next day was always a holiday.

“Happy anniversary, baby.”

Parker sighed happily. I didn’t use pet names out of the bedroom often unless I wanted to elicit the exact reaction he gave me.

He eyed the pastry box I held. “Is that for me?”

“Nope.” I stepped out of his grasp and walked inside. I spotted Hector at the computer, where I’d expected. “You’re not supposed to be working today.”

He looked over his shoulder and pouted. “Tell that to your mean boyfriend, who’s a very pushy boss.”

Parker snorted from behind me. “You mean the same mean boss who said he would change the locks so you couldn’t come in today and had to take a long weekend?”

I smiled at Hector, and he winked. I knew he wouldn’t want to miss Parker’s transition to owning his own law practice. Parker might not have noticed Hector watching Hayden work on the sign from the window, but I had.

“Mean boss? Pretty sure I said great boss. Super nice and accommodating too. Letting me have a few days off this month to focus on finals.”

Parker laughed as Hector zeroed in on the box in my hand with the little rainbow sticker.

He sniffed the air. “Oh mygod,is that—”

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