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“Forever and a day.”

“Forever and two days.” And I think that sounds just perfect.

I reach up, grab his face, and kiss him hard. He pushes me down onto the bed and lies down beside me. My phone beeps, and I grab it. Brett grins next to me, and I open the text. It’s from him. I turn to him with wide eyes.

“How did you text me without me seeing?”

“Magic.” He winks and leans back, and I just stare at the screen.

Final Score: Brett 1, Rosie 0.

I roll my eyes and press my lips against his. “I’ve never been happier to lose. Though I still think I won.”

“I won because I got the girl.” He kisses the side of my face. “I got my forever.”

Epilogue

ROSIE

“Ladies and gentlemen, I want to thank everyone for coming tonight. This is the very first comedy show at Charlie’s Home, and I’m especially proud of my boyfriend, Brett Selleck, for persevering and opening this home.”

I look out at the crowd. Theodore and Lena are sitting at the front, gazing up at the stage proudly. To their right are Sage, Dalton, Izzy, Lucia, and Roman. And behind them is Marcus, back from LA just for tonight. Dead center at the back of the room is a huge sign that reads Charlie’s Home in blue letters.

Most of the seats are filled with veterans who have been excited for the home to open.

“As most of you know, I’m a stand-up comedian, and it was my idea to have comedy nights here, so every veteran who walks through these doors has somewhere to laugh. But tonight, my wonderful, darling boyfriend, Brett, is going to open the show. Can I get a round of applause for him?”

The crowd goes wild, and I’m so proud of all the people here to support him.

Brett walks out onto the stage, and I meet him halfway. I give him a hug and a quick kiss.

“Get a room!” Izzy calls out, and she and Lucia burst out laughing.

I turn to look at them and shake my head.

“You’ve got this,” I whisper.

“I’m going to try,” he says. “Thank you for everything, Rosie.”

“You’re welcome.”

He walks over to the microphone and grabs it, and I stand at the back and watch him.

“Hello, folks. Thank you so much for coming tonight. I can’t tell you how happy it makes me to have you all here, especially my grandfather and grandmother, who put their hard-earned money into this project.”

He clears his throat. “Many years ago, I joined the Navy. I didn’t know what I was walking into. I didn’t know what my life would be like. And on my very first day of boot camp, I met Charlie. Eager, bright-eyed, bushy-tailed. He was the kind of guy every young man should meet when he joins the military. Charlie was my best friend. We were as thick as thieves. And when he died, I stopped laughing. It was many, many years before I learned to laugh again. But what seems like a long time ago, a very drunk woman told me she’d be the best friend I ever had, and I want to just say, Rosie, you were right.”

The room goes quiet for a moment before people start applauding. I can see Sage wiping some tears away, and in that moment, I know she will support our relationship.

“Now, I know we’re here to celebrate Charlie’s life and to thank the many veterans who’ve served this country. But I also want to take a moment to thank my beautiful Rosie. There was a time when I barely laughed. Since she came into my life, I laugh every day.” He glances at me. “I hope to make her laugh tonight with my set, but I’m not Rosie, and I’m not a natural-born comedian, so I’ll do my best.”

I beam at him, my heart racing with love for this man.

“Okay. First joke. Knock, knock.”

“Who’s there?” Theodore shouts, and I smile down at him.

“Boo,” Brett says.