Page 141 of Asystole

Epilogue

Logan

“Babe, they’re here!” Chase shouts excitedly from the living room of our new three-bedroom brownstone. Apparently, there are certain loans that physicians qualify for where they give you a shitload of money because they know you’ll eventually be able to pay it back.

Our place is gorgeous, and Chase really has a knack for decorating.

He’s made this space an actual home. It has a vibe and an ambiance and everything. I was totally hands off, and it was the best decision I ever made.

Well, second best.

I make my way to the foyer to greet Stone and Hanlon.

As soon as the door opens, Chase engulfs Hanlon in a hug while Stone and I clasp hands in a much less exuberant hello.

“Come on in, guys. I’m sure you’ve had a long day,” I tell them, reaching to take one of the bags from Stone.

I set them next to the couch, assuming they’d like a drink or a snack, or the bathroom, before getting settled.

Stone looks around the condo and whistles.

“Nice place,” he says, following me into the kitchen while Hanlon and Chase fall onto the couch in the living room, heads bent low together, talking in hushed voices like they’re second-grade girls talking about the boys they have crushes on.

“Thanks. We like it. Drink?”

“God, yes,” Stone says.

“Hanlon still a nervous flyer then?” I laugh.

“It will never be his thing,” Stone says.

I give Stone the tour, knowing the other two will join us when they’re ready. When we get to the top of the stairs, Stone stops, making me look over my shoulder.

He’s staring past me to the painting at the end of the hallway.

“Beautiful, isn’t it?” I ask.

Stone nods.

“It was the first gift Chase ever gave me. He said it reminded him of the night we met.”

“Funny. I thought the same thing,” Stone says.

We stare in awe at the painting for another couple of seconds before I lead him to the guest room Chase and I prepared for him and Hanlon.

“This is you.”

A moment later, Chase and Hanlon join us. Chase wastes no time engulfing me in his arms.

“Oh man, you guys have got to come to this pub we love. Are you hungry?”

“Give me like twenty-five minutes, and we will be,” Hanlon replies. “My stomach’s still settling from the flight.”

Nodding, Chase replies, “Take your time.” Then he gets that grin that I know so well, and drags me from the room by the hand. “I’ll just treat myself to an appetizer while we wait.”

Stone groans.

“Jesus Christ, Matthews.”