Epilogue
ONE YEAR LATER
Milo woke on Christmas morning to Zeke pressed against his back and the winter sun streaming into their nest.
“Merry Christmas,” Zeke murmured in Milo’s ear, his arm tightening around Milo.
“Merry, indeed.” Milo wiggled his ass against Zeke’s crotch, eliciting a moan.
Zeke’s stern voice came in contrast to the deep affection traveling down the bond. “I thought I tired you out last night.”
“You did. Today is a new day, and I’m very well rested.”
Zeke chuckled. “Good thing I wasn’t planning to leave the nest today.”
Milo rolled to face his mate and captured his lips in a sweet kiss. “Yeah, good thing.”
The furry feline face of Shawn, Milo’s orange cat, appeared over Zeke’s shoulder, meowing, and Zeke’s chuckle deepened into a full-on laugh.
Milo patted Shawn’s head. “I haven’t forgotten you.”
Shawn meowed again.
Milo sighed, smiling. “I hear you. We’ll have breakfast first.”
Shawn rubbed against Zeke, purring, and flounced off toward the kitchen.
Milo had moved into Zeke’s apartment a few months ago, and Shawn had been more than happy to make himself at home.
He loved the nest and various cat perches Zeke had bought for him.
Milo had even told his dad that he’d moved in with his boyfriend, not that they talked often.
Milo had boundaries now and stuck to them.
He preferred his little family of three.
The demon and the cat got along a little too well, and Milo joked that Zeke had replaced him in Shawn’s eyes. But that was fine. Milo was happy for Zeke to be the preferred cat dad.
Speaking of cat dads, Milo still couldn’t believe he’d run into Holt a couple of weeks ago and discovered that Holt was aware of magic. Milo and Zeke had been at a club and had run into the Purrfect Cat Dad and his vampire boyfriend.
At least Milo had already known about vampires, so it wasn’t too much of a shock.
Holt and Milo had caught up over a few rounds of drinks and dancing, and Holt had appreciated hearing the real story behind Milo’s departure from the company.
Apparently, Paul no longer worked there.
Though Holt had heard that Linda was doing better than ever, with a new partner and her beloved dog.
Milo still didn’t think a gift exchange had been the appropriate time to initiate a divorce—and he shouldn’t have been involved at all—but at least it seemed to have worked out.
Most importantly, Maeve had tweaked her spell, making it far more disaster-proof than it had been when Milo had walked into her shop.
Zeke rolled onto his back, pulling Milo on top of him. “Before we get up, I have a present for you.”
“Is it in your pants?” Milo teased.
“No. I’m not wearing pants.”
Milo rolled his eyes. “I noticed.”
“It’s a real present.”
“Mm,” Milo hummed. “But is it wrapped to perfection?”
Zeke pinched his side. “That wasn’t my fault. I’d gotten a lecture about using the supplies at the gift wrapping stations wisely. You’re never letting any of that go, are you?”
“Never.” Milo grinned, and Zeke shook his head.
“Look under your pillow.”
Milo’s stomach flipped with excitement, and he hurried to reach under the pillow, finding an envelope. He settled against Zeke’s chest and opened it. “Love the red. Nice touch.”
Inside was a single piece of paper. Milo unfolded it, not sure what he was looking at. “Did you print out an email?” Fuck, his demon was adorable sometimes.
“Read it,” Zeke growled, pinching Milo playfully once more.
Milo wiggled as he read. “Oh! It’s a plane ticket.”
Zeke gripped Milo’s hips. “A trip to celebrate one year of Damned Good Coffee.”
Their coffee cart was doing well and had become known for its sugary concoctions. Milo wasn’t sure most of what they sold counted as coffee, at least not to any die-hard caffeine consumers, but they made a decent espresso for those not interested in Zeke’s wild flavor combos.
It was the most fun job Milo had ever had. Even on the long, grueling days, he wouldn’t trade it for what he’d left behind.
“I can’t believe it’s been a whole year.” Milo tucked the plane ticket back under his pillow and cupped Zeke’s face. “Thank you.”
“For what? The trip? Of course, little human. Anything for you.”
Milo’s heart clenched. “Yes, thank you for that, but I meant for everything. I’m so glad my life fell apart last December. This one is so much better.”
Zeke tangled his hand in Milo’s hair. “Told you it would work out, mate.”
“Yes, you did, demon.”
Fate had given Milo exactly what he’d needed.