Epilogue
Picking up where the final scene in chapter one leaves off . . .
As he leaned down to kiss her, Tom had planned for it to be short and sweet—enough for him to declare his intentions unequivocally, but not so much that she'd be overwhelmed or feel pressured in any way.
He even kept his hands behind his back.
As soon as their lips touched, however, that plan was out the window.
Sybil responded immediately and grabbed Tom's face. So Tom, in turn, grabbed her around the waist and pulled her in. As their kiss deepened, Sybil moved her arms around his neck.
Despite only realizing that she was crushing on him when Gwen pointed out the obvious, Sybil had done a fair amount of fantasizing about her fit neighbor—fantasies she had, up until this moment, no intention of trying to fulfill.
That was out the window, too.
Because as she felt his arms come around her and pull her flush into his firm chest, the very many ways she wanted to kiss him came rushing into her mind.
Eventually, they pulled away to breath, chests heaving, still clutching one another.
The left corner of Tom's lips quirked up into a small lopsided smile. "Convinced?"
Sybil smiled back. "Actually, no. If I'm to be sure of your intentions, I think you need to do that again."
Tom grinned before leaning down for another kiss that also lasted several minutes. Tom moved his hands down to Sybil's rump and slowly caressed her down her thigh, then gently lifted her up and set her down on the car just behind her.
Later, Sybil wondered just how far they'd have gone if his doorbell hadn't rung to announce the arrival of his next appointment.
Even later still, Tom would have trouble remembering how he managed to get through the hour-long session without jumping out of his skin with desire for Sybil.
One Year Later
Branson Siblings group text
Moira: Tommy, how is the move going?
Tom: It's going
Sarah: That doesn't sound very enthusiastic
Tom: It's not at all enthusiastic
Sarah: aw, why?
Tom: i hate moving. why else?
Caitlin: lol. you always say that when you move and yet i don't know anyone who has moved as many times as you.
Tom: ugh. i know. this is the last time. well, for a while at least. I hope
Sarah: are you honestly saying you'd rather not be moving right now
Tom: obviously not
Moira: aw, lol
Moira: Well, go back to unpacking. I'm bringing stew over tonight
Tom: thank you
Sarah: Sean and and I are bringing beer
Tom: THANK YOU
Moira: What are you bringing Caity?
Caitlin: myself
Caitlin: you're welcome
Tom: haha
Caitlin: and cake ;p
Branson women group text
Sarah: OK, I just asked Tommy how the move is going. How is it really going?
Sybil: it's going
Caitlin: lmao that is literally what he answered
Sybil: :) we should have taken Sarah's advice and moved his things one day and mine on another
Sybil: combining houses in one go was a bit too much
Moira: should I bring dishes and spoons along with dinner?
Sybil: no, I bought some plasticware, but thank you!
Sarah: well, all you really need to do tonight is put the bed together
Caitlin: Sarah, ew
Sarah: TO SLEEP!
Sybil: lol. I better get back to it. Tom is giving me funny looks from across the room
Moira: see you tonight!
Sybil put her phone back in her pocket and opened another box.
Tom smiled as he watched her from across the room. "They text you more than they text me now."
Sybil looked up and laughed. "I highly doubt that."
They both went back to unpacking and did so in companionable silence until about ten minutes later, when Sybil felt her phone vibrate in her pocket. She pulled it out and smiled when she saw the text on her screen.
Tom: I love you
Tom: in case you were wondering
Sybil: :)
Sybil: I love you too