EPILOGUE
“There’s ten minutes left on the oven timer, then we can leave.”
The clock ticks down another minute. Remarkably, Spencer doesn’t appear stressed at all over the fact he’ll be meeting my parents for the first time when my green bean casserole comes out of the oven.
At Christmas dinner.
With my whole family.
It’s a situation that requires one be nervous, but since Spencer doesn’t seem fit to care, I’ve worked up enough worry for the both of us.
“If he tries to intimidate you with his shotgun, don’t worry—it's not normally loaded.”
“Not normally, huh?” He laughs like this is all fun and games and I’m kidding.
I’m totally not kidding.
“Spencer! This is serious.” I can deliver a preterm baby in the hallway of the hospital during a blackout caused by Snowmageddon, but putting my Dad in the same room with someone I like is terrifying.
Even with my advanced warning, Spencer doesn’t ruffle. Sitting on the couch less than twenty four hours after rescuing me, his checkered L.L. Bean shirt is perfectly pressed, not a bead of sweat on him. I tried to get out of going today, but apparently, Pete has a big mouth and Pearl’s phone number. If I don’t show up with Spencer, I’ll be disowned. Frankie lies on the couch beside him, her head resting on his knee.
Both of them are infuriating.
Spencer promised Frankie all the boots she can chew and an open trash can for the part she played in my rescue. From the trash strewn across my kitchen this morning, she plans to make full use of her new privileges.
“Joslin, I have combat knowledge, and I’ve been shooting guns since age ten. Your dad and I will get along fine. Come sit down.”
“There’s only five minutes left on the clock.” There’s no time to sit down, but I make my way to the living room anyway.
“It’s just enough time to open your present.”
My ears perk up. “My present? You’ve only known me a month—less than that, really.”
Sure, I bought him a gift, but he wasn’t supposed to get me anything. My gift is cute, and funny, and cheap. What if Spencer spent real money on something?
"I see you panicking. Don't panic. It's something little."
I release my breath and flop down onto the couch. Something little, I can handle.
"I asked around, and the general consensus said this was acceptable.”
My nerves flare back up. This is definitely not good. The box he hands over is small—a white ribbon wrapped around all sides and tied into a little bow on the top. There's not much that would fit in such a tiny package, and all of them that come to mind are scary.
Spencer pushes the little box in my direction a few more times until I'm finally forced to take it.
"Just open it. It's fine." He gestures with his head to the gift, and I slowly pull on one end of the ribbon. It comes off, and I hurry to pop open the top, concerned if I wait longer, I’ll never do it.
The item inside twinkles when light from the room catches on the corner.
"Spencer, it's gorgeous. I love it." The charm slides around the thin, delicate necklace as I pull it from the box. “Will you put it on me?”
I hand Spencer the necklace and turn around, lifting my hair to make it easier. He clasps it together, and I fidget with the charm to get it evenly placed at the center of my neck. The silver dog charm lays flat against my skin, the metal catching and reflecting the light.
"You really like it?"
I lean across the space and the dog separating us to give him a quick kiss. "Absolutely." And I mean it for everything. Having Spencer and Frankie in my space feels right. Like they’ve always been here and always will. Dog hair on the couch, food on the kitchen floor, Spencer’s half-chewed boots next to the bed… In a few short weeks, I’ve grown to love it all.
He leans back on the couch, a satisfied smile stretched across his face. Like a man who knows he's done well.
"Okay, now it's your turn."
He sits up, suddenly alarmed. "You got me something?"
I roll my eyes. "Of course. It's not as cool as the necklace, though."
Spencer's gift is well-thought-out and personal. My own hastily bought, funny present now feels lacking. But we’ve come this far.
"Well, give it to me," he begs, his hands outstretched, making grabbing fingers.
I stand and reluctantly search the small space under the tree where I left his wrapped gift. “I’m serious. It’s not that awesome.”
Before I can even bring the gift back to the couch, he stands and meets me halfway. Frankie's head bobs up in question, an annoyed look on her little puppy face from being jostled. He snatches the wrapped circular tube from me and sits back on the couch, bumping Frankie in the process.
He rips off the paper to reveal a small, glossy black, circular trash can. After he’s removed all the paper, Spencer stops and gives me a questioning look, one of his eyes slightly closed more than the other.
"A trash can?" he questions.
I nod. "Yeah, for your bedroom so you have a place to throw away…things." I gesture to his groin in case he still hasn’t gotten the hint.
“Ohhh.” Spencer laughs, a deep, hearty sound, and taps Frankie on the head twice. “I’m not sure if this will keep her out.”
“No, look! It has a lid.” I push down the little petal, opening the top lid and revealing the taped card on the underside.
“I think you’re optimistic, but I’ll make sure it gets lots of use…in my bedroom.” Spencer leans in, kissing me on the cheek. “Thank you.”
With my eyes closed, I hear the ripping sound as he tears the envelope from the top.
When we part, I take the trash can from his lap.
He quickly grabs it back. “Don’t touch my gift. I have plans to fill it.”
My eyes roll completely on their own. “You’ll like this more.”
Spencer rips open the back of the envelope, rather than just pulling the card out from the top. He opens the card, not bothering to read it, and pulls out the L.L. Bean gift card.
“So you can buy more clothes to replace all the ones Frankie has eaten.” Plus, Spencer looks damn good in L.L. Bean.
He gives me another quick kiss, his smile never faltering. “Thank you. I like the trashcan the best.”
“What? Why?”
“Because it came from you and you put thought into it.”
“Well, next year, I’ll think harder and get something better.” I lazily pet Frankie, not ready to get off the couch and enter the mad rush of my family’s house on Christmas day with a new guy in tow.
“I like that you’re planning for a next year. Get me an even bigger trash can. We may need it.”
Spencer leans over and pulls my body across Frankie. Kissing me deeply, his tongue collides with mine. Frankie squirms her way off the couch, and I fill the space she’d taken up. Wrapping my hands around Spencer’s neck, I deepen the kiss, tugging on his shirt collar. My heart kicks up, and my fingers tighten around the edge of his shirt. It’s a happy and full feeling. Like life is finally complete.
The kitchen timer dings.
He pulls away first. “I guess it’s show time. Are you ready?”
“No.”
He stands. “Should I bring Frankie?”
My gaze circles the living room, not finding her anywhere nearby, which is worrisome. “Sure. My dad can’t shoot a man with a dog.” At least, he’s less likely. Probably.
“Grab the food and let’s go. I’m ready to meet my future in-laws.”
“What?” I practically sprint to the kitchen so the casserole doesn’t burn. “In-laws?”
Keep reading to learn more about the hot security men of Pelican Bay.