Page 25

EPILOGUE

ONE YEAR LATER.

“We’re here!” Vena called when she opened the door to the bakery. I peeked out of the kitchen to find Anchor and six other pack wolves. I knew Tank and Boulder from working at Blur, but the others were unfamiliar faces. “Are the cookies ready?”

“Yep! Have a seat.”

Pam grinned at the men from her position at the front counter.

This was our fourth Cookie Mate event. The first three were pretty successful, considering we found mates for at least a few of the wolves. This was Pam’s first time partaking in the event. She watched as guys sat at the designated tables that already had cookies plated and numbers assigned to them.

Vena quickly explained the process to them and then gave them the go-ahead to dig in.

Arms wrapped around me as I watched the wolves take their first bites.

“I say one will find their mate,” Cross said, then kissed my neck.

“I say three.”

“Very optimistic.”

I grinned. “I’m feeling optimistic.”

“You should. You’re living your dream, Sunshine. Bites and Delights started out slow, but we’re selling out daily and even have a line in the morning. You should be proud.”

“I am. I’m proud of all of us. But I can’t see how we couldn’t be successful. You’re too smart for your own good and keep the business running. Vena is finding books that even Miles and her parents couldn’t find. And with Shepard’s outreach programs letting people know our bakery is all-inclusive, we’re getting more otherworlders and humans every day.”

“Speaking of Shepard, he’s pestering me to make sure you don’t lose track of time. I’m now your keeper. It’s almost time to go.”

“I won’t lose track of time, but you know I love the Cookie Mate event. I really hope Pam finds a match.”

We watched as the wolves began to eat the cookies the single women and one man from the community had baked just a few hours before.

Pam’s cookie was number four on the list, and I watched as they neared the fourth cookie. Boulder took a bite of it then stood abruptly. Pam flashed a questioning glance my way.

“I think we found a winner,” I said, hurrying to Boulder. I pulled him to the side. “Number four?”

He nodded.

“You know who it is, don’t you?” I asked.

Having worked together at Blur, he must have sensed something at some point.

He nodded again. “Yeah. I’ve known for a while. I thought I’d have more time to work up the courage to ask her on a date. Then Blur closed, and everything else happened. I had my fingers crossed when Vena said she made cookies this time.”

“And now that you’ve tasted it?”

He smiled. “I’m going for it.”

I looked back at Pam and gave her a thumbs-up. She gasped. It was a happy yet confused gasp.

“Why don’t you have a seat over there,” I said to Boulder, pointing to a table slightly away from everyone else.

When I walked over to Pam, she grabbed my arm and tugged me to the counter. “Are you serious?”

“Yes. He said he’s known for a while but was working up the courage. Are you okay with it?”

"Are you kidding? He’s like a chocolate-covered gummy bear.”

I looked questioningly at her.

“The first time I saw him, I wanted to lick him all over then bounce on him.”

I heard a choked cough coming from Boulder.

“Why don’t you grab two coffees and have a seat with him. I’ll watch the counter.”

I didn’t have to tell her twice. Her apron went flying, and coffee sloshed in the cups as she sprinted over to him.

“Another happy customer,” Cross said. “But I’ll watch the counter. You go get dressed.”

I supposed I couldn’t go to my own graduation dinner with my parents while dusted in flour.

Jogging up the stairs, I headed to the bedroom where Cross and Shepard were now locked in a battle of who could create the most ridiculous nude painting. Our room was covered in “art,” and it made me giggle every time I saw them.

Once in the bathroom, I tossed my uniform into the laundry and quickly showered before putting on the dress Cross had laid out on the bed for me.

It was red with a gold collar, the colors of the college I graduated from.

I glanced in the mirror to make sure I looked halfway decent and that my hair wasn’t frizzing. Once that was done, I opened a drawer and pulled out the surprise gift for my parents. The small box held a cut-out picture from my ultrasound last week. I still couldn’t believe I was having Shepard’s baby.

He and Cross were ecstatic about it. Cross had figured it out only a few days after I’d conceived, noticing a change in my scent. At first, he’d buried his nose in my neck and asked if I’d changed the detergent or worn perfume. He’d been so obsessed we’d ended up in bed for a time. But when he’d taken a little nip, something he rarely did, he’d gone crazy with his hugs and kisses and cuddles.

When Shepard had come home a few hours later, he’d taken one look at me and fallen to his knees to kiss my stomach. It’d been so sweet and so perfect.

My parents still didn’t know, but I knew they’d be thrilled. Once the initial shock had worn off, they were very accepting of Shepard and Cross and even had fun getting in the middle of some of their playful squabbles.

I placed the box in my purse and headed downstairs, knowing Shepard should arrive soon so we could all drive together.

However, as soon as I stepped into the bakery, I saw it was transformed. Red and gold balloons, streamers, and dozens of familiar people were there, along with a ton of food.

Both Cross and Shepard grinned at me, wearing outfits the same color as mine.

“Did you do this?” I asked them.

“You deserve to celebrate, Everly,” Shepard said.

My parents stood off to the side with big smiles. I breathed a sigh of contentment and headed over to them to receive hugs. I hadn’t expected to be in this setting when I gave them the news, but I didn’t want to wait.

Pulling out the small box, I handed it to them.

“What’s this?” Mom asked. “We’re supposed to give you a gift. Not the other way around.”

“Just open it.”

Shepard and Cross flanked me as we waited for my mom.

She slid off the ribbon and opened the box. A squeal burst from her, making everyone look our way. She grappled me into a hug as she thrust the box and contents to my dad. It took him a little longer to figure out why she was hug-strangling me, but he eventually smiled and clapped Shepard and Cross on their backs.

“You’ll make good fathers,” he said.

They both radiated their joy.

“Fathers?” Vena repeated. “Are you serious?”

She came over to me and wrapped her arms around my neck in a strangling hug.

“No matter what genders our kids are, we’re getting them married so we can officially be related. How far of a head start do you have?” She didn’t wait for an answer but looked at Anchor. “Operation no-raincoat is a go.”

Anchor flushed scarlet.

Piper, who was standing next to him, patted his arm consolingly.

Vena’s mom beamed and hugged Anchor’s other arm as she excitedly began telling him about a fertility relic that promised triplets.

“It’s the only way you’ll be able to slow her down,” I heard Mrs. Hunter say.

Miles was looking around the room for a quick escape, knowing his mom would find him next and start asking when he was going to settle down. Grandma and Grandpa Hunter were sitting at a table with my grandma, and all three were laughing and shaking their heads at Vena as she captured my face and grinned at me.

“Our babies will be smart and beautiful,” she said.

I rolled my eyes at her and hugged her hard.

“Thank you for taking me hiking. I guess you’re not fired.”