“Oh.Well, in that case, feel free to continue.” Ash yawned widely beside his ear,resting his forehead on Declan’s shoulder when he was done.
Theyprobably weren’t opening the shop today, but Hope Springs could survive one daywithout their second-hand book fix.
Well…
Maybethey’d open in the afternoon, just to stop people banging on the door. Theydidseem to love coming in here.
Thatwas nice, too. It was good to live in a place where he felt wanted.
Itwas better to live there with Ash.
“Sojust to be clear…” Declan began after a moment. “We’re staying married, right?”
“Ohyeah,” Ash said. “My gorgeous husband has a great cockanda winningpersonality. And between you and me, I’m kind of in love with him.”
“Weird,I’m kind of in love with my husband, too.”
Thatdidn’t sound strange anymore, either. Husband was exactly the title Declanwanted to have, as long as it was to Ash.
“Greatcock?” Declan asked after a moment.
“Mm,”Ash hummed. “I consider it a bonus perk. I’d still want to be with you withoutit.”
Declanchuckled at that. “Me too,” Declan said. “The sex is great, though.”
“It’spretty great,” Ash agreed. “I don’t wanna get up.”
“Youdon’t have to,” Declan said, holding Ash as he flopped back on the bed. “Theworld can wait.”
Epilogue
Oneyear later...
“Youlook nervous,” Charlie said, nudging Ash in the ribs. “Cold feet?”
Ashshook his head. He wanted to go through with it, there just seemed to be a lotof people waiting for him all of a sudden.
Hewas fine with people in small groups or one-to-one. He could talk for hours.
Addressingeveryone he’d gotten to know in Hope Springs over the past year was a differentthing. Public speaking wasn’t his favorite task.
Onthe other hand, Declan excelled at it because of his previous job, so maybethey’d even each other out if Ash stuttered his way through what he wanted tosay.
“ThenI think it’s about time you got up there,” Charlie nodded to the small,single-step stage they’d had constructed in the front corner of the store, bythe display window.
Enoughpeople had volunteered to perform there that they’d gone ahead and made thechange. This year, they were planning on running a whole host of events for thecommunity, giving back after they’d been given so much.
Itwas nice to feel at home here, and Ash wanted to show his gratitude.
Declanbeat him to the stage, grabbing the microphone and beckoning Ash to the stage.
Ashtook a deep breath, hugged Charlie on the way past, and stepped up to meetDeclan, taking his hand.
“Didyou wanna go first?” Declan asked.
“Well,on the one hand, no, but on the other hand, I suspect you’ll be a tough act tofollow.”
Declansmiled at him, his eyes going soft. “You’ll be fine. These are your friends.But if you have to imagine them naked…”
