“Do you guys still have that dinner tonight?” Jen asks, her face the picture of concern as it peers into the kitchen.

“Yeah, meeting Melissa and Jordi at Sevini’s at seven.”

“Then get out of here! Seriously. I need to learn to clean the ice cream machine myself anyway.”

As soon as Rowan knows she means it, he takes off his apron, blows her a kiss, and leaves. Even though he has gotten to know Jordi pretty well in the past year since he and Stephen started dating, he is still nervous around her sometimes. And he definitely is nervous around Melissa. He wants to take a long shower and pick out a nice outfit for dinner. He always feels more confident when he’s well dressed.

He calls Stephen on the ride home.

“Wow, Jen told you to leave early, huh? The slave-driver is getting soft.”

Rowan laughs. Ever since Uncle Robert retired and turned the reins over to his daughter, she’s been very uptight and . . . well, “slave-driver” is pretty accurate.

“She knows this is important. I think she could tell I’m nervous.”

“Babe. Jordi loves you. And I think Melissa is coming around, too.”

Rowan sighs. “I hope so.”

“It’s true. And I’ll see you in a few. Get here safe.”

Rowan makes his way across Oriole quickly, to the home that he now shares with Stephen. The move was much easier than he expected, and he doesn’t miss his old job at all. He does miss Lina, of course, but she’s been out to visit him twice now and keeps talking about how much she loves the sweet little town. Maybe she’ll join them one day.

Stephen greets him at the door with a kiss that makes him temporarily forget his anxiety. “Want company in the shower?” he growls into Rowan’s ear, but Rowan bats him away.

“I’m not fucking you before dinner with your daughter and your ex,” he says with mock horror. “Let me get ready.”

He rolls his shoulders and rubs his own neck under the hot spray, letting the water do its work, and then dresses in linen slacks and a button down shirt, hoping to look more put-together than he feels.

His boyfriend is in jeans and a tight black tee, a look that he wears well, and soon they’re on their way to the restaurant.

They’re a well-known couple in Oriole now, greeted at every turn, and Rowan loves it. It didn’t take long, after moving back home, to get used to the small-town life again. There are pros and cons, for sure. Every new item at the bakery and every piece of family news are broadcasted and celebrated across town, but that also means that every little setback is whispered about with shaking heads. Occasionally, Rowans misses the anonymity of the city, but overall, he’s happy with his new life.

And he’s very happy with Stephen. He looks at him as he drives, his dark, long hair blowing in the breeze of the open window, his strong jaw and full lips moving as he sings along to the radio, and Rowan’s heart swells. And beneath that strong, handsome exterior beats the heart of the most wonderful man he’s ever met.

Have I ever thanked Uncle Robert for breaking his leg? Rowan thinks with a small smile.

Jordi and Melissa are waiting for them, but don’t seem to mind at all. Jordi throws herself into her dad’s arms.

“Happy birthday, baby,” he says to her. “Can’t believe my little girl is all grown up.”

Jordi turns and hugs Rowan, a warm, strong hug just like the ones her father gives, and he feels his anxiety alleviate.

Melissa kisses them both on the cheek. She’s smiling tonight. She looks beautiful as always, but also well-rested and relaxed. It’s a good look on her.

Delancey greets them with a big smile. “Did I hear there’s a celebration going on tonight?”

When she hears that it’s Jordi’s twenty-first birthday, Delancey asks if she can get them a bottle of champagne.

“Not tonight, because we’re also celebrating my dad’s one year of sobriety.” Jordi’s eyes are filled with pride.

“In that case, dessert on the house tonight,” the hostess responds with a wink before leaving them with their menus.

The dinner goes well. Once they’re eating, sharing, and talking, Rowan wonders why he was nervous. It’s like being with old friends. Melissa wants to know how the bakery is going and what kind of boss Jen is. Jordi is excited about seeing the townhouse now that the two men have done some minor remodeling and decorating. Everyone toasts with sparkling water to Melissa’s recent promotion.

After sharing four desserts, the talk has slowed down. After Stephen asks for the check, the owner of the restaurant, Sevini himself, comes to the table.

“I hear there’s cause for celebration tonight,” he says in his booming Sicilian accent. “You don’t pay.” He slashes his hand through the air with finality. “You don’t pay.” He leans down, kisses Stephen on one cheek and pats the other, and walks away. The group looks at each other with stunned smiles.

In the parking lot, Melissa asks if they can get together for lunch before the women head back home.

“Well . . . uh,” Stephen begins, “there’s something we wanted to tell you both.”

“Oh, shit!” Jordi squeals, then throws her hands over her mouth.

“Jordi!” her mom scolds her with a surprised laugh. She looks at Stephen, and then Rowan, who can no longer hide their smiles. “Oh . . . shit. Are you—”

“We are. I asked Rowan to marry me, and he said yes.”

Of all the scenarios that ran through Rowan’s mind before this night, good and bad, this was not one of them: Jordi bursts into tears, and then Melissa does, and both women throw themselves at Stephen. And then pull Rowan in too.

Rowan understands it though. The announcement is a breath of fresh air after years of holding their breath. The man they love has a new lease on life, and with it, a new love. He feels his own emotions rise to the surface and he starts to cry too.

“Now, now,” Stephen says. “I can handle one of you crying, maybe two, but this is a lot to ask of a man.”

But when Rowan looks up at him, he sees that his fiancé’s eyes are shining as well.

After promising to meet for lunch—now to discuss wedding plans—they say goodnight.

Back home in bed, they lay in each other’s arms.

“I’m so happy,” Stephen whispers. “It’s like I’ve been given a second chance that I don’t deserve. Having you by my side . . . ”

Rowan runs his hand down his chest and rests it on his heart. “You do deserve it. We deserve it.”

It’s been a long day, and a long, wonderful night, and when Stephen starts to nuzzle against him, Rowan thinks about asking for a rain check. It’s so late.

But then his lover nips him in that spot on his neck, and Rowan can’t resist him.

“I’m so happy too.”