Page 165 of How You See Me
Her hands cup my face. “I love you, Hayes Montgomery. Now, kiss me before I explode.”
“Oh, I plan to do a hell of a lot more than that for . . .” I check my watch. “The next nine hours.”
“It won’t be enough,” she says, dragging me down to her, “but I’m all yours. Tonight. Tomorrow.” She kisses me. “And forever.”
Epilogue
Three Months Later
Josie
When we pull into the driveway at Hayes’s childhood home in Northern Virginia, it feels like stepping into a memory I was never part of but somehow always meant to have. The porch light glows through the dusk—a quiet welcome home. I can almost feel Ava’s excitement pulsing behind the door, waiting to burst out the second she hears us.
“Ready?” Hayes asks, brushing his thumb along the back of my hand, a touch that still sends a rush through my entire body.
“Always,” I say and mean it. With him, there’s nothing I wouldn’t say yes to.
He knocks once, and the door swings open. Ava barrels straight into our arms with a squeal that fills every empty corner of my chest. I adore this sweet girl the same as if she’s always been mine to love.
“Sprinkles! Josie!”
She smells of crayons, cotton candy, and the promise of a childhood she’s supposed to have. Her arms around my waist feel strong—not only in body, but in spirit. She still has a long road ahead of her, but she’s made enough progress to continue her fight comfortably at home with her family.
“I missed you so much,” she murmurs into my shirt.
“I missed you more.” It’s only been a week, but she brings something out in me that I didn’t realize I needed. My protective big sister instincts? My motherly side? My need to nurture? Either way, she’s not just Hayes’ little sister anymore. She’s family. Ours.
Since we got back from Las Vegas—another successful show behind me, another dream crossed off the list—I’ve been here more than at my own place. At first, it was to help his mom while she worked or took Ava to appointments, but now I don’t need a reason. This place fills something in me that even my art can’t touch.
“I have a surprise for you,” Ava says, wiggling with anticipation. “But Mom said we have to eat first. She made lasagna—my favorite.”
“Mine, too.”
“I know! Don’t worry,” she says to Hayes. “We have steak too.”
“That’s more like it.”
Hayes scoops her up, and we’re drawn into the kind of home that doesn’t need to be perfect for love to shine. His mom hugs me like I’m one of her own. Kayla and Victoria,home from college, wave from the kitchen island where they cut vegetables and sing along to something playing on the radio in the living room.Raidyn strolls in from the living room, a toddler on her hip, and hugs us both.
His dad greets me with a friendly smile and hug, though he and Hayes only exchange nods. It’s not peace yet, but a seed has been planted. An opening where healing can sprout, and sometimes, that’s enough.
Dinner is a beautiful kind of chaos—stories tangled together, second helpings handed down the table, laughter layered over the clatter of silverware. Ava rules the room with her animated stories, and Hayes keeps glancing at me like he still can’t believe I’m here. My heart overflows—more than it ever did under gallery lights with my name on the walls.
“Josie, did you hear from that gallery in Los Angeles yet?” his mom asks, hope lifting her voice. She was with me when Grant called two weeks ago about the possibility.
He didn't speak to me for days after I left Vegas without warning. Claimed I broke his heart and our collective rhythm. He threatened to revoke my best friend status, but the sold-out show made up for it. Now, he’s back to basking in the spotlight, making calls, and fielding offers. Exactly where he belongs.
“I did,” I say, watching Hayes.
He shifts, sensing what’s coming.
“I was saving it so we could celebrate together. Up for another road trip?”
“You got the show?” His voice brims with pride.
“I got it.”
Before I can say another word, his lips are on mine. The room erupts in cheers, but I’m lost in the revolution of this moment, his love, and the joy pinwheeling in my chest. It’s been five days and thirteen hours since we last parted, his work commitments on base leaving little time for visits, and this kiss makes up for every minute we missed.
