Page 113 of Long Story Short

His thumb continues to caress my cheek as his face breaks into the widest smile.

“You stayed,” I go on. “Through all of it, you didn’t ever make me feel like I had to handle any of this on my own.”

“You never have to handle anything alone again, Josie,” he gets out before pressing his forehead to mine. Our breath mixes together in the small space between us, the moment absolutely perfect.

“This isn’t just inspiration anymore, Ty,” I tell him. “This is everything. You’re everything to me.”

His lips find mine under the covers. His mouth is right where it belongs—against mine.

The kiss is slow and steady, but it feels different than all the ones before. Knowing how he feels—knowing how we both feel—changes everything.

I don’t know how long we kiss for, but we stay like that, our mouths against each other’s under the covers, for a while. The world outside might still be uncertain, but underneath the covers with him, knowing we’ll face it all together, it doesn’t feel as overwhelming as it has before.

Because we’re not facing it alone. We have each other.

“I love you, Josephine Russell,” Tyson announces, his mouth leaving mine only long enough to get the words out.

“I love you, Tyson Bishop,” I say back to him, looking forward to a lifetime of being able to tell him those exact words. I want to say them so much that he gets sick of them.

As if he can read my mind, Tyson groans as his hands press harder into my skin. “God, I’ll never grow tired of hearing you say that. I love you so much, Josie. So fucking much.”

Something warm spreads through my chest, steady and certain in a way that makes everything else fade. Because I believe him. I’ve always believed him, even when I barely knew him.

We kiss a little more, our hands exploring each other’s bodies as we’re desperate for more of each other.

The covers stay pulled over us as I get lost in Tyson, letting him bring me the peace he always has, since I met him.

When I first got to the Hamptons, I never could’ve expected to find love. All I wanted to do was finish writing a book—and for it to be a good one. Instead, I found the love of my life and wrote the best book of my life.

This summer didn’t go exactly as I intended, but for the first time, I’m glad things didn’t go according to plan.

Because everything that happened—every unexpected turn—led me here. To this. To him.

And this time, I’m not trying to rewrite the ending.

I’m exactly where I’m supposed to be.

Because, long story short, it was all worth it in the end.

EPILOGUE - TYSON - ONE YEAR LATER

My heart hammers against my chest. I don’t think I’ve ever been so nervous as I stand in my backyard, my gaze roaming the space as I try to pass the time before Josie walks out the back doors.

The sun is just beginning to set, casting a soft golden light across the pond. Candles line the path from the back doors to where I stand. I’ve tried to make the moment as intimate and romantic as possible, putting candles and flowers all around the space. I stand in front of the two chairs that sit side by side on my property, overlooking the water, the same chairs that Josie and I love to sit in every night that we’re here. Above them, there’s a giant arch of flowers that creates a backdrop for what I’m about to do.

I hear the back door open, making my pulse skyrocket.

There’s a pause. For a moment, there’s silence. “Tyson?” Josie finally says, her voice carrying across the yard.

She steps into view, and I’m reminded all over again how madly in love with her I am. She stands on the back deck, her eyes already scanning the area. She takes in the candles, the path, the way everything leads to me.

It reminds me of the moment a year ago, when she stood out here and we met for the very first time.

How things have changed in the last year. It’s been the most incredible year of my life, and I cannot wait for many more to come with her by my side.

“What is all of this?” she asks, her voice quiet as she steps forward.

I don’t answer right away. I just watch her, taking her in. She wears a pale yellow sundress with flowers on it. The fabric blows in the wind as she makes her way in my direction. She takes her time coming down the path, her gaze drifting over everything before landing back on me.