[epilogue]

Disclaimer: If you've heard of them, I don't own them. Everything else is mine, so no stealing, pretty please. ;-)

**

~Jimmie's POV~

"God, I didn't think your damn summer vacation would ever get here." I groan as I bundle Shea into my arms and hug her to me.

Months of only seeing her on weekends, or a night during the week when I flew up to New York was not enough. Finally, finally I have her to myself for the next three months.

And I can't wait to spend every spare minute with her.

Figures … she just got her late last night, and I have to work today.

But I told Jeff it was just going to have to be "bring your girlfriend to work" day.

He seemed to be okay with that, as long as Chad was.

I didn't give Chad a choice in the matter, and so here we are.

"Sorry, honey." Shea says with a giggle as I pinch her bottom playfully. "I asked the school if they could conduct some classes at various tracks, but they wouldn't go for it."

"Imagine that." I mutter, taking her hand and walking into the shop. "I can't wait for you to meet everyone."

"Do I look okay?" She asks nervously, tugging on her shirt a bit.

"Beautiful." I say, giving her a quick kiss. "Beautiful."

"So this must be Shea." Jeff walks up with a broad smile and shakes Shea's hand warmly. "It's nice to finally meet you. I've heard of nothing but you since Jimmie met you. How did your Shakespeare final go?"

Shea laughs, her eyes dancing. "I think I aced that one, but Elizabethan drama … not so much. Nice to meet you as well, Jeff."

"Chad!" Jeff calls over his shoulder. "Come meet Shea."

Chad smiles as he walks over to shake hands. "Hi Shea. Good to meet you. Maybe Jimmie will stop whining about you being in New York all the time and will start concentrating on other things." He says with a teasing wink and Shea laughs.

Yeah, yeah, okay. So I talked about her a bit while she was at school. Who wouldn't? I mean, really?

"Miss me a bit, stud?" She asks teasingly, causing Jeff and Chad to laugh with her.

"More than you know." I say, my cheeks reddening. "More than you know."

"Think you can put up with me being around all the time for the next few months?" She asks, only half teasing.

"I'll muddle through."

"Good. Because I was thinking … now that the job has been filled at the Silver Spoon, I'll have to find another job. Chad, got anything around here?" She says jokingly.

"Yeah, how about you keep this joker in line and let me know if he starts sassing you."

"That I can do." Shea laughs as I squeeze her hand in mine.

"Let's get to work, man." Jeff says, slapping my shoulder. "Shea, nice meeting you."

"You too." Shea smiles. "Go to work. I'm just gonna … go find some coffee."

Thank god for summer vacation.