Epilogue – Six months later
Flynn
I lean against the glass shop window, spinning the ring on my finger as I watch my Little Lilac organize the latest delivery of books on the shelves.
“You know, I thought making this official would make you less stalker-y not more,” she says over her shoulder, wiggling the wedding band on her finger in the air.
A deeply satisfied smile curves my lips at seeing the silver ring with its lilac gemstone that I chose for her. Hazel is mine in every sense of the word now and I’m not sure I ever plan to become less of a stalker.
“You like me stalker-y,” I say.
She shoots me a narrowed look. “Do not,” she argues, but the glimmer in her eyes and the slight tilt to her lips says otherwise.
“You’re going to scare off the customers,” she says, and I snort at the idea. Olive Books has been open for three months now and locals and tourists alike continue to flock through the doors. I spent our first month here taking photos for the walls and fitting the oak shelves myself.
As if to prove my point, the bell above the door dings and a young woman comes in with a small child in tow. It’s not till she turns to face Hazel that I see the bruise on her cheek and realize she’s not an average customer. I straighten up and Hazel smiles at the newcomers. “Hi, how can I help?”
The woman adjusts her long brown hair, covering up the bruise. She shifts on her feet, her kid squeezing up against her leg. “Uh, I was told to come here and ask for Hazel.”
Hazel looks over at me and I nod.
As much as she was enjoying running the bookshop, I could tell Hazel was missing her old job. Missing being able to help people. Which was how the slightly less than legal side of the bookshop began.
Hazel gets up, her voice gentle as she approaches the woman and kid. “I’m Hazel. Why don’t we talk in my office?”
The mother looks at her boy.
“He can come,” Hazel says. “We’ve got some toys for the little ones.”
I wink at the boy, and he tries to wink back but only manages to blink. I grin.
“That’s Flynn.” Hazel waves a hand at me. “He’s um, the muscle.”
I raise a brow at her, letting her know she’ll pay for that later, and a sweet blush spreads across her cheeks.
“Come on.” Hazel guides the mother and son through the shop to the office behind the till. I let them go because my part in this comes later. I get out my phone and type a message to Carmen.
Flynn
Might have found another gift for you.
Carmen
Can’t wait. Let me know when and where to pick it up.
Half an hour later the woman and kid come back outside. Her cheeks are tear stained but she manages a shaky smile. She takes her son over to the children’s story time section of the store and I duck into Hazel’s office.
Hazel looks up, brushing the back of her hand across her eye.
“How bad?” I ask.
Hazel’s face twists. “Husband. He’s been beating Lara for years. Yesterday he hit her son.”
My fingers curl into a fist.
“She wants a fresh start,” Hazel says.
I round the desk and take Hazel’s hands, pulling her up to her feet. “Then that’s what we’ll give her,” I say.
Hazel nods, twisting her fingers through the hair at the back of my head. “Thank you for bringing me here, for giving me everything that I need.”
Alongside running the bookshop Hazel is slowly starting to explore her mother’s life, visiting the places she visited, meeting some of her old friends. It’s bittersweet at times but I can see the good it’s doing her.
“Seems only fair, seeing as you gave me everything I need.” I slip my hand around her throat. “I’ll be back soon.”
Hazel hums, her throat vibrating against my palm. “Be careful, Husband.”
A slow smile spreads across my face.
“I always am, Wife.” I kiss her deeply, drawing my hand around to her belly as we pull apart. “I like the kid,” I say as I walk to the door to join Lara and her boy. “We should have one.” I glance over my shoulder to see Hazel’s eyes widen, light dancing across their surface.
“Flynn, you can’t just say that and then leave!” she calls after me and I grin to myself.
Who says serial killers don’t get happy ever afters?
THE END