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Jeannie looked back at Al, who was shaking his head. “Right, yeah. You probably want to live somewhere else. I get it.”

Al put his hands on her shoulders and turned her to face him. “I didn’t propose to Jazz.”

Jeannie gasped. “Iona? Seriously? You know she’s Victor’s niece, right? And all that bad luck I was having came from her? Jesus, Al. One day you’ve got to learn to quit thinking with your dick. Jazz is a wonderful woman and—”

Al covered her mouth with his hand. “We’re going to put a pin in the niece thing, but I didn’t propose to Iona either. I left before the arraignment finished. But even if I hadn’t, I wasn’t going to propose.”

Jeannie gasped. “Al, how could you? What about your contract? You were supposed to find love and propose!”

“Fuck the contract, Jeannie. Nothing is more important than you.”

“But what about Ben?”

“Do you honestly think your brother wouldn’t sacrifice his safety for yours?”

Her eyes welled with tears as she shook her head. “But he’s sacrificed too much already.”

Al nodded, cupping her face with his hands. “He has. But so have we. We’ve spent every day for longer than I care to remember planning and scheming for ways to make money and get him free. And we won’t stop, but there’s no way in hell I’ll put you in danger. Not for anything.”

Jeannie bit her lip and nodded.

“Besides, I did find love.”

“You did?” Her eyes widened.

“Yes.” He chuckled. God, he loved this woman. “But it happened before the show started.” He leaned forward and kissed her gently. “About a year before, if you want to get technical.” He stared deep into her eyes. “And I’m talking about you, in case that isn’t clear. Turns out we really suck at communication.”

Jeannie nodded. “Yeah, we do. I’ve been so scared to tell you how I really felt. I said it was about Ben, butthat was an excuse. When Victor had me locked up in the genie sex dungeon—”

Al growled and Jeannie rolled her eyes before continuing. “I wasn’t afraid. Irritated, yes, but not afraid. And that was all because of you. Because you taught me to take care of myself, and because I knew you would find me before it got too late. And you did. So if I’m not afraid of being locked in a creepy ass genie bottle, I’m not going to be afraid of loving you either. And, heaven help me, but I am head over heels in love with you. You were never just a one-night stand.” Jeannie reached behind Al’s neck and pulled her lips onto his.

“Oh my god! That was amazing! Diane, did you get all that?” Jazz shouted.

“Yeah, baby, I got it,” Diane said, lowering the camera to the floor and fanning herself. “Best ending ever!”

Al and Jeannie stopped kissing and turned to look at the women. “Baby?” they said in unison.

Jazz blushed a dark shade of red. “Oh, it’s, you know.” She waved her hand in the air.

Diane raised an eyebrow and crossed her arms. “He just made out with someone else, with tongue and everything. You won’t hurt his feelings.”

Jazz opened her mouth, then closed it, nodding. “You’re right. Excellent observation, sweetie. Al, I’ve been hooking up with Diane behind your back. Sorry, not sorry.”

Al’s mouth dropped and Jeannie burst into laughter. “Wait, was that y’all’s DNA all over the beach house?” he asked.

“Fuck no,” Diane said, shaking her head. “Do you think I would have suggested the black light if it was? We used the Conjugal Suite.”

Shane cleared his throat. “Well, if it’s confession time,” he paused, loosening the collar of his uniform, “that was me.”

“What?” Al threw his arms into the air. “Who were you fucking?”

“Mercedes,” he said with a shrug. “And the twins.”

Al slapped his hand over his face.

“And Judy, too.” His eyes got a far-off look. “And let me tell you, that little librarian knew some things. Never discount the sexual prowess of a girl who reads. She even taught me some shit.”

“So, wait,” Jeannie interrupted, looking at Al. “You didn’t hook up with any of them?”