We exchange a look, clasping hands. We haven’t talked about marriage, but I’m definitely on board with it. I want everything with Miles.
While they talk, I send a few photos to my family group thread, including some of the giraffes, penguins, and of course Miles and I together. I add one more of the three of us, adding a caption,Miles and I say hi (and Sophie, his BFF who surprised him with a visit).
At the last second, I add Miles to the thread. He deserves to be there. Because Sophie is right. We are heading-to-the-alter ridiculous, and I couldn’t be happier about it.
As I slide my phone back in my pocket, I catch myself smiling again. My heart is so full it almost aches. What started with just Graham in my life has turned into this full constellation of people—Declan and Piper, then Seth, who brought Ian and Quinn, and now Miles and Sophie. Pete and Andy are becoming a part of the group too. And Melody. The list seems endless. All tiny flickers lighting my not-so-dark sky.
And there’s plenty of room to grow. Maybe even with some kids in the future.
I glance at Miles. Yes, please. Let that be my future. It would be the ultimate dream.
My circle keeps stretching, like roots digging into the earth. For the first time in my life, I can breathe deeply. I’m alive. I’m happy.I’m free. And I’m in love.
Especially that last one.
I am so ridiculously in love with Miles, and it’s only the beginning.
Sophie gets up to go to the restroom while Miles finishes their fries.
He sees me watching and grins. “Best surprise ever.”
Yes. Yes, he was.
Miles truly was the best surprise ever.
26
MILES
EPILOGUE - 18 MONTHS LATER
MILES
I’ve never seen a bookstore this crowded in my life.
The line outside winds around the corner with people buzzing in that polite-but-barely-contained energy you only get at a signing. It’s a bit surreal, really. Okay, a lot surreal. Is this really our life now?
I squeeze Jordan’s hand as we approach the front, and he gives me that disbelieving half-smile.Here we go,his eyes seem to say.
Inside, it’s even louder. The store smells like coffee, new books, and way too many people. I hover near the back while Jordan is wrangled away by the store manager who’s wearing a bright green “The Divided Sky” button. There’s a sign near the podium that says:
In Conversation With: Jordan Sanchez–Author of The Divided Sky.
It’s definitely all surreal.
I try to pretend I’m not overwhelmed when really, I’m screaming inside. Big, messy crowds like this are sensory overload.
“Miles!”
A wave of calm crashes over me as Korie eases their way through the crowd. Their warm energy and confident demeanor has been a source of peace for me since I started my position at the San Diego hospital. They work in the radiology department, which was where I first started, and we clicked instantly. We’ve seen some crazy shit together. I mean, how many foreign objects in people’s asses are we up to now? Forty-seven or forty-eight?
Korie’s reddish hair is pulled up into two perfect puffs, and their badge is still clipped to their scrub top like they ran straight here after work. They hand me a cold iced tea.
“When did you last eat? You look like a ghost.”
I sip the drink gratefully. “Am I that obvious?”
“Oh yeah.” Korie reaches into their bag and offers me a granola bar. “Here. It might be a little crushed, but it’s better than nothing.”
