Epilogue
We should take proper photos.”
“That isn’t as funny.”
“But they’re better.”
“Funny is better, Gareth!”
He chuckled softly and laced his fingers with hers, which were resting on his leg. “My parents don’t want funny. They want a photo of us to put on the mantelpiece. The goal is a nice product, not a funny one.”
Hazel sighed dramatically. “I can’t believe you don’t think I’m a nice product!”
Grinning, he squeezed her hand. “You’re the prettiest product I’ve ever set my sights on,” he whispered in her ear, kissing her gently behind it. “But I don’t want to put you on my parents’ mantelpiece.”
Hazel shuddered, making Gareth wish they were in his bed instead of the cramped photo booth. “I can’t stand for long in my high heels either. So it’s a completely stupid idea,” Hazel stated. “But we’ll get a decent picture. First things first: What kind of poses do we use?”
“I’m too impatient to think of poses,” he muttered, and promptly pressed the start button. Poses were for beginners. After all, this was the second time he’d done this.
“Gare!” Hazel complained, staring at him with her mouth open. “What’s going on? I…” Her phone rang, and she pulled it from her jeans pocket. “Oh, crap, it’s Devreaux.”
The photo booth camera flashed.
“I have to answer it!”
“No, you don’t. It’s seven o’clock. Work’s over.”
“Just a minute!”
The camera flashed again.
Hazel answered. “Jason, what’s up? I’m busy.”
Laughing, Gareth leaned back against the wall.
“I never said I’d pick you up from the airport!” Hazel rolled her eyes. “I’m your agent, not your chauffeur.”
Another flash went off.
Gareth snatched the phone from her hand. “Devreaux, get your own ride or I’ll sell you back,” he said sharply, and hung up. “There you go.” He handed the phone back to Hazel.
Another flash.
“That was rude,” she stated.
“Sue me.”
“I can’t! You had to go and destroy our code of conduct.”
“I needed scrap paper,” he replied innocently. “Oh, that’s fantastic. Now we have four photos of you on the phone.”
Hazel shrugged. “They show me in my natural environment?”
“I am your natural environment,” he clarified.
Hazel frowned in mock skepticism. “I don’t know, Gare. You can’t just get promoted from boyfriend to natural environment in a week.”
“I want to debate that,” he said bluntly.
She laughed — and God, how could laughter make him so happy? “No debates today. So come on, let’s take more photos.” She tossed some change into the machine. “Let’s just smile. No posing.”
“Fine. Although I’d be open to a kiss on the cheek.”
Hazel pressed the start button again. “Sure, you can kiss me.”
“I was thinking of you giving me a kiss on the cheek.”
“Why don’t you give me one?”
“Take turns?”
“Okay, but who goes first…”
Flashes went off.
“Oh, hell! The machine’s too fast. Go on, just kiss me, then…”
Suddenly, the curtain was ripped open. “Guys, you’ve been hogging this thing for ten minutes! The photo booth is open to everyone!”
Flashes flashed.
“Austin!” Hazel complained hotly. “Get out of here, we’re taking pictures.”
“You’re taking too long. I need to get a damn passport photo.”
Flashes went off.
“Go to a photographer,” Hazel suggested.
“Not when we have a photo booth in the damn arena!”
“Get out, Fox,” Gareth said tersely. “Or I’ll have the booth taken away.”
Flashes flashed.
“Jesus,” he muttered, but then brusquely closed the curtain.
Hazel sighed and slumped against his shoulder. “Four more photos wasted.”
No. No time with her was ever wasted. Not even when he was sleeping, or anything else.
Gareth tossed more change into the machine. “Should we just make out while we get our pictures taken?”
She laughed. “Why?”
“Because I feel like it,” he whispered, grinning and running his hands through her hair.
“Don’t you think it might shock your parents?”
“I’m counting on it.”
“I can hear you!” Fox shouted.
“I love that your hearing is so good!” Hazel called back happily. “Okay, I’m up for some make-out photos.”
“Great.” He pressed start and turned to her.
“Gareth?”
“Yes?”
“I love you.”
He smiled broadly and traced the contours of her face with his thumb. “I love you too.”
There was a flash — and Gareth knew the machine had just taken an accurate picture of his future.
It showed him and Hazel, and that was everything he’d ever wanted. Their life was going to be fantastic. The funnest, you could say.
THE END
Thank you so much for reading I Pucking Hate You!