Page 52

DANTE

Ten years later.

Dante walked down a busy street in the Arts District, heading toward the vocational school.

It was a nice spring day, the trees covered in fresh blossoms. Dante could smell the change in the air signaling summer heat’s early arrival.

Surprise flared down the mating bond, but Ollie was doing his best to keep his emotions hidden.

Surprise could go either way. At least Dante detected no disappointment.

At last, he arrived at the school. Students milled around the courtyard, drinking coffee and looking at their phones.

As Dante contemplated entering the main building and waiting in the foyer, the doors opened and Ollie walked out, looking impeccable in his suit and tie.

The sun caught on his golden curls, and he shone.

Hell, he’d have been shining even in the dark.

Ollie smiled so wide his dimples looked like they might etch permanently into his cheeks.

He spotted Dante and his eyes widened in delighted surprise. Ollie rushed over, and Dante pulled him into a crushing hug.

“I got it!” Ollie said excitedly, the barrier he’d erected around their bond coming crashing down. “I got the job.”

Dante spun him around. “That’s wonderful, Ollie. I knew you would.” He set him down, and Ollie pulled Dante into a quick kiss.

“We better get out of here before we make a scene and the dean changes his mind.”

Dante laughed and pulled Ollie back the way he’d come. “Tell me everything.”

“The meeting was more of an introduction than a second interview.” Ollie shook his head as if exasperated with himself. “They went over the school’s policies, HR stuff, and gave me a contract. I start fall semester.”

Ollie had applied to teach at the Shearwater Landing Vocational School. As a senior stylist, he’d been mentoring stylists in training, and even though he was happy working at the salon all these years, Ollie had wanted more.

“Ellie said part-time will be perfect. She won’t have any trouble redistributing some of my clients.” Ollie threw Dante a sideways look. “I can’t believe it’s all working out.”

“Have you texted Ellie?”

She now managed the salon, having taken over when the owner decided to step back.

“Not yet. I had to tell you first. You know that.”

Dante purred softly. “Keeping me in suspense all afternoon was torture. You could have let me know instantly if you hadn’t insisted on waiting to break the news.”

Ollie knocked their shoulders together. “I wanted to see your face when you found out, and it was so worth it.”

“I can’t argue with that. I’ve rarely seen you so happy.”

Their wedding day had blown Ollie’s smile today out of the water, of course. Waiting for Ollie at the altar had been one of the most transcendent moments of Dante’s life.

While they might have mated sooner than either wanted, they got engaged at exactly the right moment. It was important for Ollie—and Dante—to take that step when they were ready, as a way to mark their commitment and promise to be each other’s forever. To choose the relationship they were fated to.

Onyx had cried his eyes out at the ceremony, unwilling to contain his joy or thousands of years of heartache. Ollie’s parents still asked about him and when they’d be invited to his wedding.

Ollie squeezed Dante’s hand. “Where are we heading, by the way? Is there somewhere to take off around here?”

“We aren’t flying home. I’ve got a surprise for you.”

“A surprise, but no flying? Are you sure it doesn’t involve whisking me away to a secluded spot so I can ravage you?”

Dante stopped in his tracks. “No, but that would have been an excellent idea. After the surprise, that’s exactly what we’re doing.”

Ollie laughed. “We make the best plans when we work together.”

Did they ever.

Dante brought Ollie to a new wine bar Onyx had discovered. Everyone and their mates were waiting inside.

Ollie had been nervous about applying for the teaching job, even after his initial interview went well. Dante knew that regardless of the outcome, Ollie would want his family around whether he’d gotten the job or not.

As they approached, Onyx and Harper waved out the window. Love flooded the bond as Ollie caught sight of them. “I’ve changed my mind. This is a better surprise than whisking me away for something sexy. I need both in my life.”

Dante puffed out his chest. “Noted.”

Ollie pulled Dante to a stop just outside the door. “I love you.”

“I love you too, Ollie.” Dante cupped Ollie’s cheek, unable to contain his smile. “Every moment with you is one I’ll treasure forever, even the hard ones. Hell, especially the hard ones. But I’m glad today is a good one where we can celebrate this life being everything you wanted.”

Ollie wrapped his arms around Dante’s waist. “It’s turned out pretty damn good. I can’t wait to see what we do when the next hundred years roll around.”

Dante leaned in for a kiss. “That’s when we’ll get to all the things we haven’t even begun to dream of.”

The End