Epilogue

EPILOGUE

“I think I’m going to throw up.”

Taron snorted, pointing in the opposite direction. “Do me a favor and face that way when you do. I just got this suit dry cleaned.”

Dorian smacked him upside the head while offering Avery a small trash can. “Ignore him. You’ll be alright. Just breathe.”

Once Avery dedicated his full attention to his book, it only took a week to finally finish it. It might’ve been sooner if Taron wasn’t harassing him every day to get it done. He was trying to help, but in the most distracting way possible. Ozen’s friend Dorian introduced him to a publisher once he finished, and things took off like a rocket. Avery hadn’t actually thought he’d ever publish, but not only did he sign a deal with the phoenix publisher, he was scheduled for an entire series. Apparently, supernaturals liked smutty office romance.

Which was how he ended up here—backstage at a writer’s conference, where he was going to do an interview in front of a huge audience in less than half an hour. His stomach tightened uncomfortably, and saliva filled his mouth. He really was going to throw up.

“W-Where’s Ozen?”

“He’ll be here soon. Court took longer than expected. He said he left twenty minutes ago,” Dorian reassured him.

Calvin went ahead with his baseless lawsuit and it was thrown out almost immediately. It was the attempted murder charge that was taking so long to process. Apparently, this wasn’t the first time Calvin tried something like this. Usually, it ended with an incubus feeding from someone else to survive and Calvin suing them for breach of contract. Maverick mentioned something about laws changing because of this kind of precedent. Ozen and several of Calvin’s other victims wanted to be there during his sentencing, which meant Ozen was busy when Avery needed him most. Avery couldn’t be mad about it, he wanted Ozen to get justice, but doing this without his person was unfathomable.

“Mr. Whitman? Five minutes,” his agent’s assistant informed him. Because he had an agent now. Ozen was also trying to talk him into an assistant of his own to keep him on track with his writing schedule and marketing and everything else an author needed to do. Apparently, it wasn’t as simple as writing the book and giving it to someone else to sell.

Avery shot a panicked look at Dorian. He couldn’t do this without Ozen.

“Deep breaths. You can do this.”

“Want me to go out there with you?” Taron offered. “I am your biggest fan, after all. I feel like that should be acknowledged.”

Avery’s laugh was strangled and his hands shook as Dorian handed him a bottle of water. If Ozen was here, he could use his magic to settle him. Stupid Calvin ruining lives and making him late.

When his chin trembled, Taron finally got serious. He rolled off the couch and stood, putting his hands on Avery’s shoulders and leveling him with a look. “You can do this. Ozen says you’re the greatest assistant he’s ever had. Just imagine you’re doing this for someone else. Ozen asked you to do this because he’s too busy, or something like that. It’s just another work task. Got it?”

Avery nodded, latching onto the idea. If it was for Ozen, he could do it. He made Ozen promise that if Collette was ever out sick or had to go away for her vacation, he’d only let Avery step in to help him. If Avery focused, he could pretend she was out of the office and Ozen asked him to do this interview because he was busy. It would definitely work. Maybe.

“Alright, Avery. Let’s get this thing started,” Winnie, Avery’s agent, fluttered into the room. Avery almost never saw her feet on the ground. She was always flitting around, talking a mile a minute.

Avery looked around helplessly, but Ozen didn’t appear out of thin air. Dorian and Taron both gripped his shoulders supportively, walking him towards the side of the stage. Avery could hear the murmur of the crowd. He suddenly felt dizzy, and sweat gathered at his temples.

“You can do this. We’ll be right in front. If you feel panicked, just look at us,” Dorian encouraged.

They couldn’t stay and were quickly ushered to their seats when the introductions started. Avery swallowed heavily, staring at the place he’d be sitting in a few moments, talking in front of a crowd. His vision swam, and he took a step back. He couldn’t do this. It was too much.

Right as he was about to back out, heat filled his chest, warming him from the inside out. Avery sucked in a sharp breath, blinking rapidly as his gaze darted around. He knew that feeling. Only Ozen could do that. It was one of the things his grandfather taught them over their many lunch dates. They got to meet his mates, and all three of them taught Ozen and Avery the tricks they’d learned over the years to better support each other. Ozen was sending him comfort and love through their bond, soothing Avery’s frayed nerves.

“... And now, we’ll introduce you to our best-selling romance author, whose debut novel sold over a million copies in the first week. Please welcome the author of ‘The Incubus’s Assistant,’ Avery Whitman!”

Another pulse of support got his feet moving, and he stepped out onto the stage, forcing a smile as he shook the host’s hand. He wanted to grimace, he knew his palms were sweaty, but the host didn’t say a word, smiling brightly as they sat in the cushioned chair across from him.

Avery’s eyes darted around the room for a brief second, and when they caught on the most important person in his life, he let out a shaky breath. Ozen stood in the middle of the aisle, smiling supportively, his hand on his chest over his heart, sending waves of support and love Avery’s way. Just seeing him helped, and Avery’s smile lost some of its tension. He gave his attention back to the host and felt himself relax.

Ozen was here. He believed in Avery, and his support was unwavering. Avery thought once that them getting together was impossible. Then he thought finding a publisher would never happen. It all came true. With his mate by his side, Avery could accomplish anything.

“So, Avery. Where do you get your inspiration for your writing?”

There he goes. Ozen watched Avery’s shoulders come down. His spine straightened and his smile was more genuine. Ozen knew he was scared; he felt it the entire way over here. It killed him that he couldn’t be here sooner, but Avery was stronger than he believed himself to be. Ozen knew he could do it. He just needed a little support.

Taron waved him over and Ozen took his seat in the front row where Avery could see him easily. Pride filled his chest as he watched his mate answer questions and banter with the host. The crowd unnerved him, but Ozen coached him before they left that morning. He only had to focus on the host and the front row where Ozen sat. No one else existed. Avery begged him to come on stage with him, but this was Avery’s accomplishment, not Ozen’s. He needed to do this on his own.

As Avery regaled the host and the crowd about his work as a temp and the many office romance stories he’d heard over the years, Ozen thought back to the first time Avery showed up in his office. Stubborn pride warred with nerves, but he pushed through and forced Ozen to give him a chance. He hadn’t expected that chance to end up with him laying across Ozen’s desk, but he met even that challenge with avid enthusiasm. He’d stunned Ozen, even then, with how brilliantly determined he was to do his job well. That reflected in his writing as well. He refused to send it to a publisher until he was certain it was done to the best of his ability. He met all life’s challenges with the same determination.

“And what about those intimate scenes? I’ll admit some of those scenes made me blush. Was there someone who inspired those?”

Avery’s gaze flicked to him for half a second, not long enough for anyone to catch on, but long enough for Ozen to notice. He fought off a grin and Avery’s face flushed dark red as he replied, “I, uh… may have someone who fits the bill.”

The host wheedled him for more, but Avery gave nothing away. He preferred to keep their private life private, for which Ozen was very appreciative. He didn’t hide his relationship, and most people knew who they were to each other, but Avery didn’t want to share any details. People could come to their own conclusions on Ozen’s participation in Avery’s intimate writing.

The host moved on eventually, asking about the next books in the series and the struggles Avery had as a human author. Avery was very honest about how privileged he was to have connections to his publisher, and he knew it wouldn’t have been that easy if he hadn’t had help. Avery never pretended to be anyone but himself, and a lot of his fans appreciated that. They liked his honesty, and when the host allowed questions from the crowd, he got a lot of praise for being so approachable compared to some authors.

The interview finally ended with a roaring round of applause. The host mentioned a book signing table that was being set up down the hall, and people were already headed that way to get in line. Avery’s day wasn’t quite done, but the hard part was over. Ozen had no intention of sitting on the sidelines while Avery signed books. He’d be right next to him to make sure he felt safe and loved.

The host led Avery off stage, and Ozen followed Taron’s directions to meet him backstage. His mate was sipping water, listening to the host praise him for his bravery, when Ozen approached.

“Ozen!”

Avery nearly dropped his water in his haste to get to him, and Ozen wrapped himself around Avery’s smaller frame the second he was close enough.

“I’m so proud of you, firefly.”

Avery hugged him tightly for a second before thumping him on the chest. “You’re late!”

He barked out a laugh, gripping Avery’s wrist to protect himself from any further abuse. He knew Avery wasn’t truly angry with him. He would be able to feel that through their bond. Avery was just teasing.

“I’m sorry, love. I got caught in traffic. I got here in time, though.”

“In time for the interview, maybe. You missed his freak out beforehand,” Taron drawled as he sidled up to them. He shot a wink to the host, who flushed in response, and narrowly avoided a swat from Maverick.

“Ignore him. You did great. When is the next book coming out?”

Maverick was one of Avery’s more surprising fans. No one, not even Ozen, thought the gruff dragon shifter would be into smutty office romance. He probably wouldn’t have admitted he enjoyed it if he hadn’t been caught by Avery when he was delivering a file for Ozen. Avery had been delighted, and Maverick begrudgingly admitted he found the story addictive. Since Avery was willing to share little details about the characters with him, he stopped pretending he wasn’t interested and they’d become fast friends.

Avery laughed, shaking his head. “I already told you. Next year.”

“Okay, but when do we get to read it?” Taron wheedled.

Apparently, Taron was still listening. He said since he was Avery’s first fan, he deserved special privileges, like being the first to read the next installment.

Ozen rolled his eyes. “Leave him be. Let him enjoy his success.”

Avery cuddled closer, and with a final glare from Ozen, the group dispersed, finally giving them a minute alone.

“Did I mention how proud I am of you?”

“You might’ve,” Avery said with a chuckle. “Did you read the dedication?”

Ozen’s brows drew together. “No. I read the version you emailed me. Why? What does it say?”

Avery waved a hand dismissively. “You can read it later. Come on. We need to get to the table to start signing books, or my agent will have a hairy fit.”

Curiosity drove Ozen forward, but Avery wouldn’t let him check his phone, and when people brought their books up for him to sign, none of them opened them to the dedication page. He’d have to figure it out later.

That was the way things worked with them, though. His mate was full of surprises. From showing up when Ozen needed him most to catching on to Ozen’s reactions to being called sir and running with it, he was constantly stunning Ozen speechless. Ozen knew without a shadow of a doubt, it would always be that way with Avery. And he looked forward to every surprise headed his way.