Bonus Epilogue
DANE
“Hey you guys, Kobi’s calling!” I call out toward the hall as I finish plating our omelets.
Yes, I’m cooking if you can believe it. I hardly believe it myself considering I haven’t even had a permanent residence with a kitchen for as long as I can remember.
Cooking breakfast for my favorite people is absolutely my new favorite hobby. And frankly speaking, pancakes and eggs are my jam and mine are fucking delicious.
Picking up the kitchen towel, I wipe off my hands and pick up my buzzing phone accepting the video call.
Kobi’s face comes into view just as Hannah and Ethan sit down at the kitchen island.
Well, Ethan sits on the stool. Hannah, presses her arms into the countertop and props up on it and it’s my favorite place for her ass to sit.
Other than on my—
“Hey, Kobi!” Ethan says, excitedly. It’s night and day different compared to how he used to greet, well, everyone. But that’s his new normal. Waking up excited to go to the field, craving the game like he used to.
Plus Hannah and Ethan have joined me on my weekly catch up calls with Kobi so they’ve gotten to know each other pretty well, even with the ocean between us.
Hannah waves into the phone as I hold it high and far to get us all on the screen.
“Hey guys.” Kobi gives us a two finger wave and his demeanor is a bit more serious than usual.
“Everything okay?” I ask, immediately sensing something is off.
“Oh, yeah, yeah. Everything’s fine. I just wanted to find out what your plans were for the summer because I’ve got something that’s come up here. It’s…putting quite a wrench in things.”
I suppose being the right hand man and translator to the Japanese Prime Minister will have some wrenches.
“Actually,” I say, “we’re staying in Seattle for the summer because Ethan’s schedule follows the Smashers and they’ll play through October—if they make the playoffs. We’re planning to spend the holidays in Europe instead.”
Looking at their faces in the tiny video box, both are smiling because Ethan’s got time off between the season, before he starts as Head Analyst for the team and Hannah has a six week sabbatical anytime she chooses to use it between November and January from VB Tech.
Kismet if I don’t say so myself.
I’m consulting for VB Technologies as well and working daily with Hannah is by far the my favorite job I’ve ever had.
“Oh, nice. That works out well then,” Kobi says, “I—” He glances over his shoulder at no one. “I’ll be in the states for the summer.”
I’m excited about this unexpected news because I can easily visit him wherever he might be, but I furrow my brows as I appraise his facial expression that looks more concerned than delighted.
He normally loves coming home and spending an extended amount of time here.
“That’s great news!” When he doesn’t react, I add, “Right?”
Hannah senses it as well, tilting her head to get a better look at him.
“Yeah, no. It’s great. It’s just, it’s for work. We’re doing another US Tour.”
I nod, a long, slow nod. That’s not unusual either. “With the Prime Minister, I assume?” I chuckle at how coy and awkward he’s being.
He pinches his brow, squeezing his eyes shut, then looks back at us huffing out a long breath.
“No… with the Prime Minister’s daughter.”