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“What a dick.” Carson snorted. “Duncan can only wish you’d marry him.”

“Duncan loves attention.” Luke stuffed his hands into his jacket pockets. “Speaking of Duncan, he’s down along the fence with a guy. Already.”

“Let him. He’s probably trying to salvage his image,” Carson said. “How about you, though. Mr. President. How cool is that?”

“I’ll believe it when it happens, but Chris and Beth did see you make hash out of Duncan,” Luke said. “Plus, he lost the job he’s wanted for the last five years. I doubt it’s enough to keep him on the straight and narrow, but you embarrassed him. He’s wounded.”

“He got his, and he won’t forget being passed over when you’re the president.” Carson laughed. “It might not turn him around, you’re right, but it’s going to remind him he made a mistake.”

“Speaking of mistakes, you made it sound like you’d asked me to marry you. Were you serious? Or putting them on? Was it a lie?”

“You bet your hot ass I’m going to marry you. I planned on asking, but not here. Too cliché.” Carson tucked Luke to his side. “I thought maybe a ride in a carriage or putting a ring into a champagne flute, but those aren’t really us.”

“No, they aren’t.” God, he loved Carson.

“You know, I waited to make it big before I came back to you. I’m not sure I want to want to waste time now.” Carson kissed Luke’s cheek. “But I will pop the question.”

“And I will say yes.” Nothing had ever felt so right as being with Carson.

“Good to know,” Carson said. “I love you.”

“Love you, too.” He kissed Carson. “I’m glad you came back and found me.”

“Me, too.” Carson grinned as the crowd cheered. “I’m sure the noise is for the game, but it might as well be for us. As long as you love me, I’m home.”

“I do.” Wherever Carson was, that’s where he’d be, too. He’d found his other half, the love of his life and belonging.

“Want to go home? I don’t need to see the rest of the game,” Carson said. “I’m thrilled to be an alumnus, but I’d rather just be with you.”

“Let’s go home.” He looked forward to the future and many years to come with the man he loved—Carson. Not bad for a man who defined himself by his life in the library. He’d finally gotten his storybook ending.

The End