Page 87 of The P*ssy Next Door

I felt a laugh bubble up in my throat, relief and joy and love all mingling together. Behind me, I heard George deflate slightly and Liam chuckle.

I took his face in my hands and gave him a big kiss. Seven stuck his nose right between us, purring. “Hayes Kingman, I would love nothing more than to officially move in with you.”

His face split into a grin, and he set Seven down on the nearest cat-safe surface and then surged forward, capturing my lips in a kiss that made my toes curl. We stayed like that for a long moment, lost in each other, until Liam pointedly cleared his throat.

We broke apart, laughing. George rushed over, hugging us both.

“We're so happy for you two,” he gushed, his eyes misty. “But you had me going there, Hayes. Just to be clear, this isn't a proposal, right? You're not getting married yet?”

I shook my head, smiling softly. “No, Uncle George. We're not quite ready for that step. But we're committed to building a life together.”

Liam nodded, his expression understanding. “That's all anyone can ask for. Love, commitment, and the courage to face the future together.”

Everett walked into the shop, and I thought, at first, he was in on this move-in proposal too. But he made a beeline for the counter, barely acknowledging us as he passed.

“I need the strongest coffee you've got,” he muttered to Javi at the counter, rubbing his temples and looking uncharacteristically disheveled. “And maybe a shot of whiskey to go with it.”

Javier raised an eyebrow but set about preparing Everett's order. I exchanged a concerned glance with Hayes before approaching Everett.

“Hey, bro. You doing okay there, man?”

Everett sighed, his shoulders slumping. “Oh, fine, just fucking fine. Long night. And an even longer morning.”

Hayes clapped him on the back, his expression sympathetic. “Juggling too many women?”

Everett snorted, shaking his head. “Nope. Just one who is driving me absolutely crazy.”

Hayes clapped his brother on the back. “Oh ho, sounds like the Kingman love guru needs to take some of his own advice. You'd better figure it out before the bowl game. Everyone knows Kingmans play better...” he glanced over at me, and my insides went all flippy floppy like I was a lovesick teenager, “when we're in love.”

Everett stared into his coffee cup, his brow furrowed, as if searching for answers in the swirling depths. “The saying goes that we play better when we're getting laid. That part I can do. I don't know about the love part.”

Everett had been the rock for all of his brothers, the one they turned to for love advice and guidance. But when it came to his own heart, he seemed lost.

But a few months ago, I had been too. Until I met the one person in the universe who saw me and loved me for me, the most authentic me.

I had found my place in the world, not just geographically, but emotionally, spiritually. And it was all thanks to the incredible man beside me, who had shown me what it meant to love fearlessly, to chase my dreams with abandon, and who showed me how real love meant support, not expectations.

I leaned into Hayes, my heart so full it felt ready to burst. I couldn't wait for a lifetime of adventures with the one man who would always be my home.

EPILOGUE: AMONG THE STARS

HAYES

The sun was high in the sky, the warm breeze carrying the scent of saltwater and sunscreen as Willa and I lounged by the pool. It was the first day of our Star Trek themed cruise, a gift from Liam and George to thank Willa for taking such good care of the coffee shop while they were away.

I still couldn't believe we were actually here, surrounded by fellow Trekkies and a lot of the stars themselves. We were both like little kids in a Star Trek themed playground.

Willa looked over at me, her eyes sparkling with excitement behind her sunglasses. “I cannot believe we get to meet LeVar Burton tomorrow morning. I'm gonna wear my Butterfly in the Sky t-shirt. You don't think he'll mind it's not Star Trek I'm fangirling him over, do you?”

I grinned, feeling my own inner fanboy stirring. “Not even a little bit, babe. Did you see that Jonathan Frakes is doing a panel on directing? We can't miss that.”

We spent the next few hours geeking out over the schedule of events, planning our days around the panels, autograph sessions, and themed parties. It was a nerd's paradise, and we were loving every minute of it.

As we made our way to the first panel of the cruise, I couldn't help but notice the glances and whispers from the other cruisers. At first, I thought they were just excited to see the Star Trek celebrities, but then I heard my own name being murmured.

“Is that Hayes Kingman?”

“Oh my god, it is. Do you think he'd take a picture with me?”