A week later, at The Brass Tap with their friends, Carson watched Nora laugh at something Jade said and felt overwhelming gratitude.
Six months ago, he’d been sitting in this same bar, alone, drowning in work and grief and loneliness. Now he had this—friends, love, a life that felt full and meaningful.
“You look happy,” Finn observed, sliding into the seat next to Carson.
“I am happy. Happier than I’ve been in years. Maybe ever.”
“It shows. You’re different. Lighter somehow.”
“Therapy. Boundaries. Nora.” Carson took a sip of his beer. “All of it. I’m finally figuring out how to be a person and not just a cop.”
“I’m glad, man. Really glad.” Finn clinked his beer against Carson’s. “You deserve this. You deserve to be happy.”
“So do you. When are you going to find someone?”
“When I meet someone who can handle the job. Who gets it.” Finn shrugged. “Until then, I’m content being the fun uncle to all your future kids.”
“Future kids?” Carson laughed. “Getting ahead of yourself.”
“Please. You and Nora are endgame. Everyone knows it. Marriage. Kids. The whole thing. You’re that couple.”
Carson glanced at Nora again. At the woman who’d saved him by refusing to settle for less than he could be. Who’d loved him enough to walk away when he needed the push. Who’d given him a second chance when he’d done the work to deserve it.
Yeah. They were endgame.
He just had to make it official.
Soon. Not tonight. But soon.
Maybe on the anniversary of the day they’d met. Or the day she’d moved back in. Or some random Tuesday when the moment felt right.
He didn’t know when. But he knew it was coming. Knew he wanted to spend the rest of his life with her. Knew she was it for him.
The only question was when to ask. And how.
But that was a problem for another day. Tonight was for celebrating. For being present. For enjoying the life they’d built together.
For being happy. Really, truly happy.
After nineteen years of running from grief, Carson Black had finally stopped running. Had finally let himself feel joy. Had finally allowed himself to believe he deserved good things.
And Nora—brave, strong, patient Nora—had been there for all of it. Had made it possible.
He owed her everything. His happiness. His health. His life.
And he was going to spend the rest of his days showing her exactly how much she meant to him.
Starting tonight. Starting now. Starting with every choice to be present, to show up, to love her the way she deserved.
Not perfectly. He’d never be perfect. But honestly. Completely. With everything he had.
***
Late that night, after they’d said goodbye to their friends and driven home together, after they’d gotten ready for bed and slipped under the covers, Carson held Nora close and said, “Thank you.”
“For what?”
“For not giving up on me. For seeing who I could be even when I couldn’t see it myself. For loving me through the worst of it.” He pressed a kiss to her forehead. “For being patient while I figured out how to be the man you deserved.”
