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“I think it’s only fitting that we go back to the Palace Hotel on Saturday night to watch the Miss California coronation.”
He glanced at me before merging into traffic. “I think that can be arranged.”
EPILOGUE
TWO YEARS LATER
Our wedding bands clinked together as I laid my hand over his on his chest. I nuzzled into his neck, watching his heartbeat thump at his pulse point. Our breathing slowed and mingled after we’d come down from a raucous, spontaneous fucking session that rarely happened on a busy Saturday afternoon.
After finishing a morning of yardwork, which he hated, I couldn’t keep my eyes, then my hands, off his shirtless, sweaty torso. Saturdays had become the norm for us to mow the lawn, pull weeds, and tend the flower beds at our newly purchased suburban home. Jonesy had always owned a condo, and his green thumb only extended to a few potted plants. I felt it was time he touched grass and got dirt under his nails. He grumbled, but deep down I think it had grown on him.
After a few hours in the summer sun, watching him haul bags of mulch on his bare shoulder, my libido got the best of me. I figured the flower beds could wait, and I enticed him inside to have my way with him. He didn’t complain, and I figured he’d be up for what I had planned rather than yard tools and garden gloves.
“I hope I didn’t tire you out for your performance tonight?” I said lazily, patting his chest.
“Actually, I think you gave me a second wind. Plus, I like this better than having to spread mulch in the flower beds.”
I chuckled. “It still needs to be done, but maybe we can do it next weekend instead.”
I ran lazy circles around his nipple with my finger, making him close his eyes and hum. “We’ve been so busy lately we hadn’t had a date night in over three weeks. This was nice, though,” he replied before kissing the top of my head.
It was true. Jonesy had retired from the SFPD a little over a year ago; we’d brought him on at my PI firm, and the business had flourished as a result. The years he’d spent on the force were invaluable in addressing legal and ethical issues, and he brought an additional dynamic to our clientele. We’d even moved into a larger space so we could each have an office. Chloe still worked for us, always throwing in her two cents on a case, and we’d become a cohesive trio.
At the same time Jonesy retired, we decided to get married. We debated whether he should have a matching wedding band like the one he’d given me, and after a heated discussion about it in a restaurant with friends, Lorraine, Sean’s wife, spoke up and ended the standoff. “Of course you’re going to have matching bands. It only makes sense,” she spouted, bringing the conversation to an end. After that, we figured it would be best to get him a ring, or we’d never hear the end of it.
Jonesy’s ex-partner, Sean, stayed on the force but left homicide. He’d always wanted to work the gang unit, and was even given a promotion in the deal. Sean and Lorraine were still part of our lives, and we got together every so often for dinners or ball games. All four of us even went on a week-long cruise to Mexico right after Jonesy retired.
“What time do we need to be at the Summers’ estate?” I asked.
“The DJ will get there early to set up, but we should be there by seven o’clock. It’ll give me time to finish getting ready and warm up my voice.”
“Wynn and Eli are flying in this afternoon, and all the guys plan on being there to watch you sing your heart out,” I said.
“I admit I’m a little nervous, Howler,” he replied sheepishly. “I know how much Wynn’s mother loves me, and I don’t want to disappoint her.”
My best friend’s mother, Dr. Erika Summers, had taken an immediate liking to Jonesy years ago, and he had performed at their home a few times for fundraising parties and the like.
“Babe, you’ll be great, and I don’t think you could do anything to disappoint Erika. It’s been a while since you’ve done your drag thing, though. What look are you going for tonight?”
“I think I’ll stick with the classic Anita Baker look. The one you first saw me perform five years ago.”
I smiled as I reflected on that night. We’d had a table full of friends, out on the town, and I had no idea my now-husband did drag as a side gig. I’d only known him as Detective Gabriel Jones from the police department. When the stage lights came up, I was shocked yet entranced by his performance and singing voice. From that day forward, we’d been inseparable.
I looked at the clock on the nightstand. “It’s three-thirty, babe. When do you plan to get ready?”
“We’ve got time, and I don’t think I’m through with you yet,” he teased, rolling on top of me. I felt his cock plump against my leg before I grabbed his head and met his lips with mine.
My phone buzzed, and the caller ID read Bestie, showing the smiling face of Wynn Summers. I answered it, excited to see him. “Well, it’s about time!” I exclaimed loudly when I clicked on FaceChat.
“Hey, we just landed. Give me a break,” he replied, flashing me the middle finger.
“You’re such a charmer,” I scoffed.
“That’s why you love me, Craig.” He blew a kiss at the screen. “We just got to baggage claim, and hopefully, if traffic isn’t too bad, Eli and I should arrive at my parents’ place in about an hour.”
Suddenly, Eli turned Wynn’s hand to his smiling face. “Of course, we had to check bags even for this short trip. My network husband apparently needs his arsenal of beauty products.”
“Hi, Eli. But of course, the big network’s weatherman has to look pretty at all costs,” I snickered.
