TWS_Final-23

Epilogue

“Wow, look at this place.”

At the sound of Mitchell’s voice, Ben looked up from the shelves he was stocking. Mitchell stood in the doorway in his chef jacket, rubbing his palms briskly as he stepped in from the November chill. Hannah looked up, too, from where she was arranging dildos on a shelf.

“It’s pretty good, right?” Hannah looked around the space. “We should be able to open by Black Friday, right on schedule.”

Ben stepped back and surveyed their progress as well. They had been working hard on setup for the last three days, getting everything moved over from her shop so she could open as quickly as possible for the holiday rush.

“I can’t believe it’s happening so fast.” Hannah exhaled. “I don’t think I ever really thanked you for this. For getting the construction work done so fast, getting me in here within three weeks.”

“Yeah, well, it’s what business partners do for each other.” Ben smiled. He couldn’t help being happy that he was able to help. He looked over at Mitchell. “Why don’t you have a coat?”

Mitchell rubbed his arms briskly again. “Coats are a weakness. It’s so hot in the kitchen. I’m just on break before dinner prep. Wanted to see how everything was turning out.”

Hannah laughed, leaving the dildo rack and walking over to him. She wrapped her arms around him. “You smell like the kitchen.”

Mitchell grimaced. “Ugh, don’t remind me.”

“I like it. Smells like food.” She nibbled up to his neck, and Mitchell ducked, ticklish. Ben smiled. Watching the two of them flirt like this warmed his heart. He hadn’t expected this kind of casual intimacy from polyamory, the joy of watching people he loved loving each other.

Mitchell pulled away, but he was smiling back. “You two going to come up for dinner tonight?”

“We might be able to make a late meal.” Ben gestured to the room. “I think we can finish most of the setup tonight if we hustle.”

“And then tomorrow I’m going to help him bottle the next set of winter lagers.” Hannah walked back over to Ben. When Ben went to protest, she held up a hand. “Come on. It’s the least I can do.”

“I won’t mind the help.” Bottling was always a pain in the ass. “And you’ve got the grand opening info going out in an email blast?”

“Marketing folks got me all set up.” Hannah smiled. “I keep waiting for the other shoe to drop. When does the shitty stuff start?”

“Maybe when we start this polyamory discussion group after Thanksgiving?” Mitchell offered. “And we have to talk about our feelings with strangers?”

“It’s going to be good marketing.” Hannah didn’t sound convinced. “At least, that’s what Lori keeps telling me.”

“It’s our next adventure.” Ben looked between the two people in the room with him, the ones who had stolen his heart. “I think we’re due for one, don’t you?”

Hannah laughed. “I don’t think we need any more adventures for a long time.”

“But we’re going to get them.” Mitchell seemed apprehensive but confident, and it was a good look for him. “We’re going to have a lot of them in the future.”

That may be true, but for Ben, for now, having these two in his life was all the adventure he needed.

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