Epilogue

EPILOGUE

Three months later…

Penn

“Okay, this time you’re actually singing solo,” Archie touted at me over his beer.

I rolled my eyes as I leaned on the high top, sipping my Angry Orchard. “I believe it’s your turn to embarrass yourself on stage this evening,” I bit back.

“Cream Puff’s right. You managed to fly under the radar last time, but tonight is your penance,” Mitchell drawled as Cade made his way down from the stage .

I checked my phone once more, waiting for Amy’s text. I’d finally taken her up on her invitation to hang out, which wasn’t terrible. In fact, once we both actually started talking, it was more cathartic than anything. I even told her about Mitchell, and she suggested we all hang out.

So, I invited her to our monthly karaoke hang out with Mitchell’s friends.

“She’ll be here, don’t worry,” Mitchell said, nudging my arm.

I glanced at him, feeling instantly at ease. No matter what was bothering me, Mitchell always seemed to have a way to soothe my nerves.

“All right, next up we have... Archie? Is there an Archie in the house?” Will, the DJ, called out.

I smiled smugly as I watched Archie’s jaw tense.

“You...” he hissed out.

“Your audience awaits,” I teased, taking another sip of my drink, just as a familiar voice pulled me from my victory.

“Hey, Penn!” Amy sing-songed, sliding between Mitchell and I for a hug.

And when I hugged her back, it didn’t feel awkward or unwelcome .

Amy smiled as I gave a quick to Molly too.

“Amy these are my... friends, Cade, Weston, Dawson, and Nolan. Guys this is... my... friend, Amy, and her girlfriend, Molly.”

A resounding hello and polite introductions were made as Henry came to our table, dropping off our drink refills. On his heels was none other than Grayson, his boyfriend, and...

I turned to see the newlyweds with their bridal party in tow, sidling up to a high top two spots over.

Archie belted out the worst rendition of Mariah Carey’s Heartbreaker I’d ever heard, while Giselle all but skipped over to our table.

“Hey!” she said with excitement, hugging Mitchell. He kindly returned the favor as she leaned back, setting her hand on her newly formed bump.

Archie finished his set as Mitchell and Giselle dived into a discussion about baby photos as Drew Axel took the stage with his boyfriend, Taylor.

“How long is Drew in town?” I asked, cutting into their discussion.

“Wait, you know him?” Amy pressed .

I shook my head. “I don’t know him, know him. But I’ve met him like once. He has a house here, I think.”

Grayson nodded, sliding his arm around Henry. “He does. Comes and goes though, guess that’s the life of a rockstar.”

Drew and Taylor’s rendition of Taylor Swift’s Love Story was a much better performance than Archie’s screeching.

I think Dawson was actually better than him, and that was saying something.

“Giselle!” Aaron called from across the way, waving her over to the table where her bridesmaids slash friends, Julie and Mia were sitting, as well as a man who looked very familiar, but I couldn’t place.

Though he kind of looked like the guy in the porn I watched all those months ago.

But I’m sure that was just my mind playing tricks on me.

“You karaoke?” Dawson asked, nodding at Amy.

“Who me?” she asked, looking around confused.

Dawson nodded .

“Oh, uh, I mean, not usually...”

I caught Molly’s gaze, and we shared a knowing look. Amy was a natural carpool karaoke fan.

As Drew and Taylor wrapped up their star performance, I couldn’t help but think about just how much my life had changed in the course of three months.

I’d come home from college lost. Single, alone, and wishing that I could find someone to love, someone to share my passions with.

And as I sat in M’s Place, surrounded by drinks and laughter, I felt like I’d finally found everything I was looking for.

I found the man of my dreams, but I’d also found a family.

A place where I finally fit in.

I raised my glass, looking at Mitchell.

“To new friends, and new beginnings,” I said with a smile, as the beginning of a classic Freddie Mercury song sounded across the stage.

“To new friends and new beginnings,” Mitchell said, clinking his glass with my bottle, and one by one everyone chimed in.

“I’ll drink to that,” Dawson said .

“Me too,” Cade said as he raised his glass.

And when we all brought our drinks back down, I shot my boyfriend a glance.

“So you want to catch a movie after this?” I smirked.

Mitchell picked up my cue without missing a beat.

“That depends. Are we going to actually watch the movie, or are you just trying to get in my pants?”

“That depends on your choice of movie, Cupcake.”

Mitchell sipped his drink, his dark gaze full of mischief as he shrugged.

“One day, Cream Puff.”

I settled my hand on his hip, casting him a devilish smirk of my own. “Today is not that day,” I said as I pressed my lips to his.

Mitchell melted into my kiss as the sounds of Amy crooning out Whitney Houston’s Higher Love sounded in the space around us.

“There’s always tomorrow,” I whispered against his lips.

Mitchell gripped my hips as he kissed me.

And as we made out in the middle of M’s Place, surrounded by laughter and drinks, and friends, and love, I looked forward to what tomorrow would bring.

Thank you for reading Mitch and Penn’s story. If you enjoyed this book, please leave a review. Even a few words means so much to me.

Thank you!

~Evie Riley