Epilogue

Six months later.

JAKE

I can’t believe this is happening. I’m opening my own restaurant at one of Miami’s top locations. A bunch of reporters have come to take pictures, too. But that’s not even the best part. Nah. What has my heart fluttering and my chest feeling like it will explode is the fact that my fiancé is here.

“Ethan, babe, are you sure? I know you prefer to remain on the sidelines. I’m perfectly happy to do the interview on my own.”

He appears from the kitchen, wearing one of the beautiful aprons Phoebe and I designed together for the Snow & Sunshine . “It’s your big day and I want it to be perfect. I can handle an interview. Besides, showing my face in front of the camera is guaranteed to increase the public’s interest by thirty-forty percent. I have fans. In turn, I’ve projected an increase of at least fifteen percent for our first month’s revenue. It’s a win-win.”

I love how dedicated he is. When I just up and left North Hut to chase my dream in Miami, I was a little apprehensive about his interest in the restaurant. But he’s proven me wrong at every turn. He loves the place as much as I do. He lets me run things of course, just like he promised, but he’s always excited to hear about my day or offer an ear or discuss things with me. Likewise, I’m happy to be his sounding board or brainstorm through business scenarios.

I wrap my arm around his waist and pull him close. He comes willingly, and I maneuver us until he’s caged between the bar counter and me. Nipping along his bottom lip, I drag my fingers along his crease, looking for the telltale hardness of the vibrating plug he’s wearing. I have the remote, so I can turn the toy on whenever I feel like it. Ethan loves it, and so do I, because he’s always ready for me no matter where we are.

Part of me still can’t believe I did such a crazy thing and moved to Miami practically with a stranger. Or that he wanted me so much, he made me an offer I couldn’t in sound mind turn down. But it felt as right then as it feels now. That hasn’t changed. Everything just slotted into place the moment we got off the plane. I haven’t looked back. We have our differences of course, but we’ve already settled into a comfy domestic life together. I didn’t start living with him immediately—I was renting for two months and only sleeping over… most of the nights—but we’ve been smooth sailing the whole time.

It’s mind-blowing how easy everything has been. It’s even scary sometimes. Having Ethan has changed my life, and I’m pretty sure that having me has changed his. He’s a lot more hands-off at the company nowadays, helping me here at the restaurant instead of doing late nights at the office.

Speaking of his office. I glance out the one-way tinted window at the glass high-rise where Ward Security’s HQ is. It’s right across the street.

“I can’t wait for tonight,” I say, nuzzling his neck. It’s one of his weak spots, and he goes feral when I touch it in a certain way.

“Behave,” he scolds, but pushes against my fingers.

“From one to ten, how horny are you right now?”

He hums, thinking. “Six and a half. Seven if you don’t stop rubbing.”

I kiss his nose. “I promise it will be worth it. You know I never disappoint you.”

“I do.” He kisses me back and steps away, adjusting himself. He’s wearing one of those jockstraps with the front pouches, so even when he’s hard, it won’t show.

There are another twenty minutes before the official opening, so I use the time to reorganize the glasses and plates for the umpteenth time. It helps me relax. Ethan watches me silently as I do it, not butting in. I love that about him. It’s like we have this understanding without ever talking about it. I do it at home too, and he’s more than happy to roll with it.

Five minutes before opening, Charlie and Ben arrive. Charlie is Ethan’s pro gamer little brother and Ben is a CEO, like Ethan. He’s also Charlie’s husband. I’ve met both of them only once, but we clicked immediately, especially with Ben.

“Hi, lovers, I hope you are ready. The queue is massive,” Charlie says by way of a greeting, throwing himself at me. He’s so tiny, I can lift him with one arm. But despite his deservingly inoffensive size and cute smiles, he’s a real devil. The story about his ex still brings a smile to my face whenever I remember it.

I jog to the front of the restaurant and peek out from a gap in the curtains. He’s not joking.

“It wasn’t this big fifteen minutes ago,” I toss at the trio. Nerves and excitement thrum in my veins.

“Oh. That’s probably my fault. I might or might not have hinted that I will be at this cute new restaurant in downtown Miami.” Charlie beams at me and innocently fans his long eyelashes when I throw him an accusatory glance. “Oops?”

“At least pretend you are sorry,” Ethan chuckles, ruffing his brother’s hair. He does that to me a lot and I love it.

Ben sighs, pulling Charlie into his arms. Their size difference is super adorable. “You naughty little menace.”

I bounce my gaze to Ethan and find him watching me with a sly smile. Yeah, Ben, I can relate. I’ve got one of my own. And I love the shit out of him.

My phone alarm goes off, telling me it’s time. My stomach decides it’s on a rollercoaster, rooting my feet to the ground. Oh god, this is really happening. My own restaurant. What if something goes wrong? What if I fail and embarrass myself?

Ethan places his hand at the low of my back, anchoring me to the present. Nah, I’ve got this. I am ready. I have people who believe in me and support me. My social media has been exploding with likes and comments. My fiancé moans like he’s having the best orgasm of his life whenever I let him try one of my new recipes. I’m at the finish line. One more step and my dream will become reality.

“You got this, Jake,” Ethan whispers, lacing our fingers together.

I squeeze his hand and open the doors, welcoming the crowd with a smile. “Thank you, babe. But it’s we. We got this. I wouldn’t be here if you weren’t just as crazy as I am.” I smooch him on the cheek. The guests go wild, cheering and shouting. “Now, let’s roll. It’s showtime.”