There isn’t a day that goes by that I’m not thankful for this man before me and all his surprises. Over the last three years he’s done nothing but be supportive in all I do, constantly trying to give me everything that I deserve. He’s taught me to embrace life, and I can’t wait to welcome whatever life decides to throw our way next.

“Wait. Stop a minute and back up. He bought you a house? Like, a house house?” my best friend Jean screams into my ear the following evening. A house house? Is there any other kind?

Moving the phone away in an attempt to get my hearing back, I answer, “Yes, he bought us a house. Not just me.”

“Same thing.” Um … okay? “Damn, Dre.” I can picture her sitting on the couch in her Minneapolis apartment shaking her head in awe as she speaks. “When’s the move? Did you have any idea he was even looking?”

I shrug, even though she can’t see me. “We’re not sure on a move-in date, but since our lease is up at the end of next month, we’re hoping soon. Parker said the realtor doesn’t think it will be a problem. The loan has already gone through, so we’ll just need an inspection for the final okay. And, no, I had no idea he was looking. It just sort of fell in his lap.”

“Shit. I can’t believe that man sometimes.”

Neither can I. “I know.”

“The timing will be perfect, too. Take your last final, graduate, and move into that big new house of yours. You’re finally entering the real world!” The shuffling sounds on Jean’s end suggest she’s getting more comfortable. “If it weren’t for me, the two of you wouldn’t even be together.”

“That’s not true!”

“Sure it is. I practically had to force you to go home with him that night at Max’s Bar. If it weren’t for me, you would never have left with him, there’d be no ring on that pretty little finger of yours, and there definitely wouldn’t be any house. So, you’re welcome.”

“Thanks.” It comes out flat, but I pick the tone back up. “For the record, I went home with him all on my own.” She giggles. “Are you coming to Rochester this weekend?” I ask, changing the subject.

“I think so. It all depends on Kevin. He mentioned something about needing to pick up a shift for Jason.”

Kevin is another veterinarian Jason met in college and introduced to Parker when he moved here. They asked him to join the practice a little over a year ago, and recently he became the third partner at the clinic. He also happens to be Jean’s boyfriend—not that she approves of that word.

“Well, if not, maybe I can come up for the day or something?”

“I’d like that, Dre. It’s been forever.”

“It’s been two weeks!”

“My point. Forever.”

I smile just as I hear keys fumbling in the door. “Hey, Parker’s home. I’ll chat with you later, okay?”

“Fine, go hang out with that man candy of yours while I sit here in my empty apartment watching reruns of Gossip Girl.”

I chuckle, ending the call as Parker enters our apartment.

Standing in the entryway in gray dress slacks and a black button-down shirt unbuttoned a little at the top, he looks just as good as he did this morning when he left for work. His blond hair is disheveled, as if he’s run his hand through it a hundred times, suggesting a stressful day.

“What’s all the laughing about?”

“Jean.”

“Ah.” He raises his eyebrows and smiles.

Setting his keys in the dish by the door, he walks into the living room and sits next to me, pushing my physics book aside. It falls to the floor as his lips meet mine, gentle and soft. He takes my top lip into his mouth and tenderly kisses it.

Leaning back, he gives me a wink. “Hi.”

“Hello, handsome.” I run my fingers along his stubbled cheeks, smiling. “How was your day?”

His shoulders relax as he sinks into the couch. “Busy, but good. Yours?”

I groan, throwing my head back playfully. “Studying. Lots and lots of studying. I don’t think I can see straight. Change of subject, please.”

He laughs, pulling me in for another kiss. “That bad, huh?”

“I’m just anxious for my last final to be over.”

The moment I was cleared of needing further cancer treatment, I sunk all my spare time—plus some—into my studies. I doubled up on course work, taking as many classes as I could so that I could graduate in a timely manner. There were semesters my family—including Parker—thought I was crazy to take on so many sleepless nights and long study hours, but I looked at it as making up for missed opportunities, and I’ve truthfully enjoyed every second of it. I’ve worked so hard to get to this point, and the thought of graduating next month from the Winona State University, Rochester with a bachelor’s in physics is the most rewarding and liberating feeling ever.

Parker winks, then stands and moves through the kitchen effortlessly, opening the fridge and taking out a beer. He looks over his shoulder at me, raising an eyebrow, and I nod.

He rejoins me on the couch and I use my shirt to twist the cap off my beer.

“No studying tonight, beautiful. We’re celebrating.”

I take a small, appreciative sip. “Celebrating what?”

“Our future.”

“I thought we did that last night?” I bite my lip, remembering our naughty evening.