Epilogue
WILDER
“Pips, do you want a drink?”
Scottie looks up from where she’s painting a portrait of our relationship and shakes her head yes. “The Prickly Pair,” she says with a wink.
“Coming right up.” I head over to where Sanders is leaning against the bar in a three-piece suit, happily looking over all the couples. “You really stepped up the outfit this year for the welcome dinner.”
Sanders smirks. “It’s Velcroed in the back. Wait until you see what I have underneath here.”
I chuckle. “Oh, I’m sure it’s nothing short of amazing.”
“You’ve got that right.” Sanders nods toward Scottie. “That ring looks good on her.”
I glance back at my girl, who is wearing a giant yet classy engagement ring that I gave her last weekend.
It was the perfect evening. I bought out Stockings and had Denise invite her out for drinks. When she arrived, the entire bar was lit up with candles, and I was up onstage, waiting for her on bended knee.
I knew the minute I told her I loved her that I was going to marry her, but I had to give her time to adjust to loving me, so I waited…and waited. I dated her, we moved in together, we started seeing Sanders for maintenance, and then when I thought the time was right, I started planning the proposal.
I roped in Mika and Denise, asked them for their thoughts. We considered coming to Camp Haven and having me propose here, but I thought it would be too much of a spectacle, and that was when Mika offered up Stockings. He no longer works there since he’s working at a private club now, but he still has connections, and we still frequent the bar together every Friday where we all hang out, so it felt like the right thing to do.
And from the look on Scottie’s face when she saw me up on the stage, I knew it was perfect. We spent the rest of the night with friends and family, drinking, dancing, and having the best time ever.
And now we are here, at Camp Haven, where it all started.
“It does look good on her, doesn’t it?” I say before I ask the bartender for two Prickly Pairs. It’s a surprise that we’re able to drink on the first night at camp, but then again, Sanders said we are celebrating our engagement, so we are going to take full advantage of it…as well as the sex palace.
Yup, we asked for the same cabin, because this time, I want to make sure we use every last thing offered in the sex palace, suction-cup dildo included. I have plans. Lofty plans, but I have them.
“It does, and that smile on her face, it’s grown and grown with every passing month I’ve seen you two.” Sanders pats me on the shoulder. “You’ve done well, Wilder. You helped her find confidence, and you offered her understanding and patience. But most importantly, you’ve made her feel seen again.”
I stare off at Scottie, who is lightly stroking the canvas with her paintbrush drenched in pink. “I can’t unsee her. She…she captures my full attention. I can’t imagine anyone else ever passing up on the opportunity to talk to her, to joke with her, to spend time with her. She’s such a bright light that I never want to lose.”
Sanders smirks. “I’m glad to hear it.”
Our drinks are set on the bar, and I grab them and offer Sanders a nod of appreciation before walking back over to my girl and taking a seat next to her. I set her drink in front of her and then lean in and kiss her cheek.
“The canvas is looking great, Pips.”
She scoffs as she turns toward me, her knees knocking against my thigh. “You’re being nice. It looks like trash.”
“Nah, everything you touch is gold, babe.”
She snorts and then sips her drink. “You can butter me up all you want. I will not be using the suction-cup dildo in the shower.”
I let out a roar of a laugh. “What little faith you have in my convincing skills. Trust me, by the end of these eight days, you’re going to want to take it home.”
“Keep dreaming.”
“Hey,” Chad says with a wave as he walks up to us with his arm around his wife, Danielle. “We miss you over at Butter Putter.”
A few months ago, Scottie left Butter Putter and started editing freelance. It started when Sanders was telling her about an article he had to write about his practice and his “unusual” style of couple’s therapy. The piece highlighted his office, his techniques, and his values. He asked Scottie if she would take a look at it, and she offered him some very valuable insight, so much so that he recommended her to a few other people, and it trickled down from there.
Now she’s editing on her own time, giving us the flexibility to travel, something she’s been pressing me to do.
And we finally did. We took a ten-day trip to Ireland where we toured the entire country, drank too much Guinness, and talked to some sheep while lying in the fields and staring up at the sky. It was a big step for me, being that far from Mika, but with his encouragement, along with Scottie, I made the leap, and I’m so glad I did, because we had an amazing time. I was able to see and experience things I’ve never seen or done before, and I was able to put my mind at ease, knowing that Mika—who has made leaps and bounds in his life—was going to be okay.
We are planning another trip, this one to Edinburgh, Scotland. I know it’s not much farther, but baby steps.
“You know, I kind of miss you guys too,” Scottie says with a sly grin. “I miss the distinct sound of chino shorts, rubbing together as you all moved about the office.”
Chad laughs. “I can record it for you if you want.”
Scottie holds up her hand. “Really, I don’t want to trouble you.” She then turns her attention to Danielle. “How are you feeling, Danielle? Is the morning sickness gone?”
She nods and rubs her stomach. “Yes, thankfully.”
“Now she’s in the fun phase of pregnancy,” Chad says, wiggling his eyebrows, causing Danielle to elbow him in the side.
It was a long year for them, Scottie being at the forefront of helping Chad by being a close confidant to talk to. They would often go to lunch during the week and talk, Chad airing out his fears about losing his wife while Scottie told him about her fears of falling in love. She was very open and honest with me about it all, which I appreciate about our relationship.
Thankfully, Chad and Danielle were able to work things out and then went on a trip up to the Finger Lakes and, well, that’s apparently where they got pregnant. Chad joked around about naming their baby after one of the lakes. I don’t know. Skaneateles, Cayuga, and Owasco just don’t have a good ring to them.
“And hey, congratulations are in order,” Chad says, nodding to my ring on Scottie’s finger. “When Scottie sent me a picture, I was elated for you two.”
“Thanks, man,” I say, finding it odd that just a year ago, I was ready to drive this man’s head through a tree trunk. “We’re really happy.”
Chad places his hand on Danielle’s stomach. “Well, if you need a ring bearer or a flower girl, you know where to find us.” Then with a wink, he takes off.
“You know, that’s not that bad of an idea,” I say. “Think of the little chino pants and embroidered vest the baby could wear.”
Scottie laughs. “It could be one of those 27 Dresses type things, but instead of bridesmaid dresses, all the guys I worked with have to wear their chino shorts and company vests.”
“Babe, I don’t think you’ve ever had a better idea.”
“Wow, the bar is pretty low then.”
“Yeah, that’s okay. We have the rest of our lives for you to raise it.”
She rolls her eyes and turns away, but I wrap my arm around her and pull her into my chest while kissing the top of her head.
“Love you, Pips.”
She chuckles. “Love you too, Wilder.”
When I release her, I lean in and whisper, “I spoke to Sanders last week. He said we could have the tent again this year, but maybe this time, we sleep naked.”
“Why? So I can accidentally zip your dick up into the sleeping bag?”
I gasp jokingly. “No, not the return of the Serial Zipper.”
“Threaten me with the suction-cup dildo, and yeah, she might come screeching in, looking to do some damage.”
“Babe,” I say levelly. “Just give it a try.” I bat my eyelashes at her. “For me.”
She palms my face and pushes me away. “Not going to happen.”
Three hours later
“So…do I need to tell you I told you so?” I ask as I try to catch my breath.
Scottie turns off the shower and pushes at my chest with her finger. “Mutter those words, and consider this your last shower with that flesh sword.”
I hold my hands up. “Noted.” Smirking, I add, “But Pips, that shit was good, wasn’t it?”
She smirks and wraps her towel around her torso. “No, Wilder, it was great.”
Keep flipping for an excerpt from my tropical destination rom-com: Bridesmaid for Hire