Epilogue
Skye
It's a quiet morning, the kind where the sun pours in through the café windows just soft enough to warm the table but not blind you. My coffee's almost gone, and my dad's still nursing his first cup, hoping it's going to give him the courage he needs to keep talking.
He's trying. I'll give him that.
This is our third breakfast in as many months, and while the first two were more awkward than warm, this one actually feels almost normal. Like we're two people figuring out how to rebuild a bridge neither of us expected to ever cross again.
He clears his throat. "You really look happy, Skye."
He's trying. I'll give him that.
I give him a half-smile over the rim of my mug. "I am."
"I wasn't... the best at showing up for you," he says, eyes cast down. "But I see you now. And I'm proud of what you've built."
Those words, once they would've wrecked me. Now? They just settle. Soft and warm and healing.
"Thanks, Dad. That means a lot."
He nods, like he's not sure what to do with that. He still fumbles his way through these conversations, but at least now he's having them.
My stepmom and I have started having lunch every week, and while it's still weird to see her as something more than my father's newest wife, I've learned she's got a wicked sense of humor and a talent for perfectly cooked salmon.
I'm not saying we braid each other's hair and talk about boys, but we're getting there.
Things are better. Not perfect. But better.
My phone buzzes just as I'm reaching for the check. A quick glance at the screen and my stomach drops.
Kayla: SOS. Code Red. Summer and Knox's place? Please.
Oh no.
"Sorry, Dad. Gotta run. Emergency."
He lifts a brow, but doesn't push. "Tell Gage I said hi."
I kiss his cheek, throw some bills on the table, and ignore his sigh as I head out the door.
Every time we meet, he tries to pay the bill, but I insist on paying my half.
We've been through a lot, and since Gage took over paying for my last semester of school, I haven't taken a penny from my dad.
I know it bugs him, but I'm just not ready yet.
Summer's place is only fifteen minutes away, and by the time I pull into the driveway, I can see Gemma's car already parked. Whatever this is, Kayla pulled the full girl-gang alarm.
Summer opens the door before I can knock. "She's in the kitchen and hasn't stopped pacing."
I follow her inside and find Kayla walking a hole in the tile, her hair a mess and her hands flying as she talks to Gemma.
"Hey," I say, dropping my bag on the counter. "What happened? Are you okay?"
Kayla spins to face me, eyes wide. "Oh my God, Skye. You are never going to believe last night."
I pour myself a glass of wine from the open bottle on the counter. If Kayla's this keyed up, I'm going to need it.
"Start at the beginning."
"Okay," she says, taking a deep breath. "Remember how you hooked me up with Pink?"
"Yes, I thought it was going well?"
Kayla had some experience at Club Red, but she was ready to learn more, and I figured Pink would be an excellent teacher.
"Yeah. We've been meeting outside the club, just talking, doing some trust work. It's been good. Pink's been amazing. And last night she invited me to go to the Club. Said she wanted to introduce me to someone. A Dom who might be a good fit."
Gemma leans forward. "And?"
Kayla groans. "And at first it was great. The guy was respectful, a little stern, but kind. We talked about limits and expectations. Pink even stayed nearby. I felt safe, and I really liked the guy."
Summer sips her wine, watching Kayla closely. "But something happened."
"Oh yeah. Something happened." Kayla sets her glass down with a clink. "We were in one of the lounge rooms just talking. Nothing intense. And then... he walked in."
I already know. My stomach flips.
"Hunter," I say.
Kayla nods. "Hunter fucking Crespin."
Gemma's mouth falls open. "Your ex's dad?"
"Yes! He didn't say anything at first, just stood there with this look on his face. Like he'd swallowed glass. Then he crossed the room, dismissed the Dom I was with like he was nothing, and looked me dead in the eye."
Summer leans forward. "What did he say?"
Kayla takes a deep breath and recites the words like they're burned into her memory. "If you want a Dom, Kayla, you'll get one. But it'll be me."
Gemma actually gasps. I choke on my wine.
"He claimed you?" Summer asks, eyes wide.
Kayla nods. "In front of everyone. The other Dom backed off. Pink just smiled like she knew it was going to happen the whole time."
I put my glass down slowly. "Holy shit."
"You should've seen his face," Kayla says, collapsing onto the couch. "He was furious. But also... possessive. Like he'd finally decided he wasn't going to pretend anymore."
Gemma fans herself. "Okay, but that's hot."
"It was," Kayla admits. "Until we left, and he walked me to my car and said, 'Next time, you come to me first.'"
"So, what now?" I ask.
She shrugs. "Now? I think I have to figure out what the hell I want. Because for two years I've convinced myself he didn't see me that way. But last night? Oh, he saw me."
We all fall silent for a beat, the weight of what she said settling in.
"I mean," Summer says finally, "you did say you wanted someone older and powerful."
Kayla laughs. "I didn't mean that much older and powerful."
Gemma lifts her glass. "To surprise Doms and complicated kinks."
We all raise our glasses.
"To girls who go after what they want," I add.
Kayla clinks her glass against mine, smiling.
Outside, the sky is turning golden. My phone buzzes again, this time with a message from Gage.
Gage: How's the rescue mission?
I snap a picture of all of us, glasses raised, and send it back.
Me: Legendary but might need to build a panic room at Club Red.
He replies with a winking emoji and a red heart.
As the girls burst into another round of laughter on our way to the living room over Summer's latest comment, I lean back into the cushions and take it all in. The warmth. The friendship. The unexpected twists and the way we all found something real in places no one expected.
A few months ago, I never would've imagined this.
Now? I can't imagine anything else.
And this is just the beginning.