Page 98 of Harvest Heat

Caleb grinned. “Neither do I.” Then he kissed Rhys, cupping his face in his hands and holding him in front of the shop he’d designed as they celebrated the partnership they’d made for the festival and now for the future. He was exactly where he was meant to be.

EPILOGUE

Six Weeks Later

Caleb had just pulled his oyster dressing out of the oven when Rhys burst back into the apartment from the shop below.

“I’m sorry. I said I was going to make you a holiday spice latte, but—” He realized Caleb was holding a cup.

“Wait. What are you drinking?”

“A double shot of espresso.”

Rhys frowned. “Seriously? Just plain. Without sugar?”

“Yes. The taste has grown on me. You know that.”

“I guess, but I thought you only drank them with me.”

He shrugged. “I wanted one this morning.”

“Really?”

“Yes. You’ve converted me. I don’t always have to have something sweet.”

“I love you.” Rhys’s words and his big smile made Caleb’s heart skip a beat.

“I love you too. I still wouldn’t say no to following this up with a latte.”

“How wired do you want to be today?”

Caleb grinned. “After how little sleep we got last night, I need all the caffeine I can get.”

Rhys began measuring beans into the grinder. “Whose fault is it that we were up half the night?”

Caleb laughed. “Like you didn’t love every minute.”

“Maybe I did, but sleep would have been good since we’re spending all day with people.”

“We can leave anytime you need to. You know Tessa and Finn and their family will understand.”

“I know, but you don’t have to leave early if I do.”

“Let’s just see how the day goes.” Rhys narrowed his eyes. “Shit. You hate when people say that.”

“I do, but I think today I’ll be all right since I’m with people I feel safe around.”

Caleb took his arm and pulled him away from the espresso machine. “I’m so glad I make you feel safe, especially since you used to just want to run from me.”

Rhys looked down at his feet. “I was never running from you. I was running from my own fears.”

Caleb lifted Rhys’s chin and gave him a soft kiss. Rhys started to deepen it, but Caleb pulled back quickly. “Any more of that, and we’ll be right back in bed.”

Rhys grinned as he pointed to the oyster dressing and the marshmallow-topped sweet potato casserole. “Why don’t you take these containers of food out to your truck, and I’ll make your latte.”

“I could make it myself.”

“But I like making drinks for you.”