Epilogue #2
I stepped toward the back room and pushed the door open. A smaller space waited behind it—perfect for design work, cutting tables, and the chaos that came with it.
It felt right.
I took a quick video and sent it to Konni.
Me: This is the one. Make it happen, husband.
He sent back a selfie showing just how much he liked that I’d asked him for something and that I’d called him husband.
Me: If you get it for ten thousand under the asking price, I’ll thank you for it tonight.
Konni: Consider it done. I’ll see you at 5.
Grinning, I put my phone away and turned to the girls.
“This is it,” I said with certainty. “This is the future home of Phoenix Studios.”
Wrenly cheered. Bennett put his hands on her shoulders to stop her from bouncing too much.
“I’m so happy for you,” she said. “And I’m looking forward to the fashion show. I can’t wait for you to wow Motan. And to see Miranda on the catwalk.”
Miranda shot her a sultry wink. “Same. Does this mean we get to celebrate? There’s a bar nearby I want to try.”
Wrenly pouted and looked up at Bennett.
I watched his internal war play out in his expression. He wanted to say yes so badly, but Miranda and Wrenly both already knew he wouldn’t. It was their newest way of torturing Bennett while they waited for the baby to arrive.
“Let’s schedule an official celebration on the day remodeling begins,” I said, taking pity on him. “You’ll be able to drink then.”
Bennett shot me a look of gratitude and hurried Wrenly out the door before she and Miranda begged for anything else. The realtor came in after they left.
“What do you think?” he asked.
“It’s a beautiful building, and I appreciate that you took time out of your Friday afternoon to show us,” I said. “I’ll talk it over with my partners and be in touch soon.”
He wasn’t disappointed by my answer and shook my hand.
While he locked up, Miranda ordered a rideshare.
“So, about that drink,” she said.
“Konni wants me home by five.”
She had her phone out before I could stop her. Her thumbs flew over the keys. I saw an equally fast reply and her grin as she looked up at me.
“He said that he’ll come pick us up when I’m done with you.”
“I can’t wait until Wrenly isn’t pregnant anymore,” I said with a long-suffering sigh I didn’t really mean. Drinking with Miranda was always fun, and I knew, eventually, that phase of my life would be a thing of the past. I planned to enjoy it while I could.
The car that arrived looked vaguely familiar.
When I got in, I realized why. A woman wearing a ball cap with her long, red hair pulled through it in a ponytail glanced at me in the mirror.
“Hi again,” I said with a smile. “You probably don’t remember me, but you dropped me off at Lunar Pulse once. You waited until I got into my car before leaving.”
“I remember,” she said. Her voice had a low-husky quality that sounded nice but didn’t match her going to a ball game style. “Are you sure you want to go to a club down here? It’s not exactly a safe area.”
“We’ll be fine,” Miranda said.
“If it’s not safe, why are you taking rideshares down here?” I asked as she pulled away from the curb.
“I have business down here.”
“Same, hopefully,” I said. “I’m thinking of opening a store in that building. Maybe I’ll see you around again.”
“Oh? What kind of store?” she asked, turning.
“Fashion design,” I said. “It won’t be open for a while, though. Maybe spring. It needs a lot of work.”
“Everything down here does. Make sure you’re not alone there at night. Girls our age tend to go missing in this area.”
“Thanks for the warning,” I said, taking it seriously.
She stopped in front of the club Miranda wanted to visit.
“See you around,” I said.
She nodded, and we got out.
“I like her.”
Miranda gave me an odd look.
“What?” I asked.
“We haven’t even put any drinks in, and you’re already feeling friendly. Come on, my little cash cow. Let’s see how frisky we can get you tonight.”
The club wasn’t like Uncle Jay’s. Sure, it had a bar, alcohol, and music, but the similarities stopped there. It looked like the mirror behind the bar hadn’t been washed in a year, and the floors even longer than that.
“Can we change our minds?” I asked.
“No. I got a tip that a certain someone frequents this place.”
I side-eyed her. “Are you serious? You’re hunting?”
She grinned. “Now that I know what I’m looking for, absolutely.”
“There’s no way you can smell anything but stale booze and BO in here.”
She shot me a sheepish look. “I promise not to let you drink out of any dirty glasses, okay?”
She slapped the bar to get the bartender’s attention and bought us our first round. I downed it in a gulp and held it up for a refill. The faster I got drunk, the faster she’d call Konni for me.
My knight in shining armor appeared two hours later while I was grinding on Miranda on the dance floor.
“About time,” she said over the music, turning me toward him.
I grinned up at the handsome man I called mine.
“Ready to take me home and have your way with me?”
His eyes glittered with gold. “Yes.”
“You need to wash me thoroughly first,” I said, slurring. “Miranda has shit taste in clubs.”
A few nearby patrons heard me and gave me dirty looks.
I shrugged. “Stop spilling your damn drinks, and it won’t be such a shit club.”
“She’s feisty tonight,” Miranda said. “Just the way you like her.”
I ran my hands up his tailored suit coat.
“Tonight’s the night I get you to accidentally sprout horns. Ready for dessert, husband?”
He tossed me over his shoulder and strode for the door a second later.
Lifting my head, I waved at Miranda.
I had the best friends.
The best mate.
The best life.
Thank you for reading His Flash Mate.