Five days after Adam’s departure, Riley manages his grief by staying busy with work, visiting his mother, gardening, and attending therapy. He and Adam maintain regular contact through texts and brief calls.

While watching a Northmen playoff game, Riley spots Adam in the team’s luxury box on the broadcast. The announcers praise Adam while making dismissive references to Riley’s past difficulties. Riley feels the distance between his quiet life and Adam’s world of fame. During the game, they exchange flirtatious messages and suggestive photos. When Adam mentions wanting to book a flight to Avery River, Riley withholds an invitation, determined to ensure his feelings are stable before moving forward.

Three nights later, Toronto is eliminated from the playoffs. The following morning, Riley visits his father’s grave and finds Adam’s moon snail shell. Holding it, Riley tells his father he still loves Adam and believes they can be happy together.

On a June day, Riley and Adam have a video call while Riley works in his garden. Adam reveals he has been offered a book deal for an autobiography but wants to wait until he knows how his personal story concludes. He explains he wants to come out publicly before the book, too. He tells Riley he believes his best years are ahead of him. Moved, Riley says he will come to Toronto to care for Adam after his surgery.

Riley arrives at the airport the day before Adam’s surgery and finds him signing autographs for fans. After a discreet hug, they drive to Adam’s house, where Riley reveals his plans to stay three weeks rather than the two Adam anticipated. Riley teases Adam about the size of his suburban home, and they kiss. Inside, Riley presents a delighted Adam with a cinnamon bun from Paula’s in Avery River. After dinner, Adam suggests Riley spend the surgery day sightseeing, but Riley insists he will wait at the hospital.

Then the two share an intimate exchange where Riley gives Adam a silk robe similar to his own, and they kiss and have sex. Cuddling in bed afterward, Adam apologizes for his past behavior. Riley says he has forgiven both Adam and himself, calling it an amazing feeling. Adam shares that their first kiss was both frightening and the best thing he had ever experienced, despite how he acted afterward. He then promises to devote the rest of his life to showing Riley how much he means to him.

Riley waits anxiously at the hospital during Adam’s surgery, texting Lindsay for reassurance. After nearly three hours, the surgeon reports that the operation was successful, and a nurse brings Riley to Adam’s room.

Riley finds Adam pale and exhausted but smiling. A nurse advises Adam not to hide his pain, noting this is not a hockey game. After the nurse leaves, a groggy Adam tells Riley that hockey trains players to lie about pain, mental health, and their identities, and that lying about his feelings for Riley cost them years together. Moved by the intensity of the moment, Riley tells Adam to rest.

A week into his recovery, Adam rests by the pool while Riley swims. Riley has been helping Adam with every aspect of daily life. Adam tells Riley he wants to take him on a proper date before Riley leaves, then confesses he wants a real, committed relationship.

Riley hesitates, saying he needs Adam to be certain he is ready to come out publicly. Adam insists he is sure and has been thinking about it for months. He reiterates his long-time love for Riley, insisting he is now capable of loving him properly. Riley reciprocates the sentiment, and they share a passionate kiss. When their intimacy intensifies, Riley stops them, reminding Adam he needs to heal properly. He leads Adam inside for a nap, and Adam reflects on the prospect of spending his lifetime with Riley.

Five years later, on Riley and Adam’s first wedding anniversary, Riley is at his shop helping a young girl get her first hockey gear while Adam returns from a week of speaking engagements.

In the intervening years, Adam and Riley married in their backyard in Avery River, surrounded by close friends and family, though Adam’s parents and brother declined to attend. Adam came out publicly and announced his and Riley’s relationship, drawing intense media coverage and both support and bigotry from the hockey world. During his Hockey Hall of Fame induction, he referred to Riley as the most important person in his life. His autobiography became a national bestseller but deepened his estrangement from his parents. After both children left for university, Adam moved to Avery River two years ago. Riley expanded the family business.

For their anniversary, Adam and Riley have dinner at Paula’s, then visit the Avery River Brewing Company, where they sit beneath their old hockey jerseys. Adam reveals his surprise: a trip to Iceland to see the northern lights, fulfilling a dream they first talked about at 23.

Riley then takes Adam to the secluded beach where they had their first romantic encounter. They build a bonfire, reminisce, pleasure each other on the blanket, and go skinny-dipping. In the water, Adam tells Riley that being with him brings the same happiness he felt during their first summer together. Riley thanks Adam for being brave enough to come find him; Adam thanks Riley for being brave enough to love him first, saying it helped him become who he is.

They lie on the blanket watching a meteor shower. When Adam spots a shooting star and tells Riley to make a wish, Riley realizes he has everything he needs and nothing to wish for.