Whirlpool

Epilogue

Braden shook the water out of his eyes as he exited the ocean and jogged up the beach to the condo. If he hurried, he still should have time to grab a shower before meeting them at the airport.

Talking on the phone and emailing was for the birds.

Still, it had been better than nothing. Having both Jamie and Chelsea gone for the past four months helped him realize just how much they meant to him. The only thing that made it bearable was that Jamie and Chelsea would spend the summer with him before the two of them had to leave again. May to August—it wasn’t long enough, but he’d take every second he could get.

He sprinted up the stairs to the balcony of the condo. He’d gone for a swim to get the cobwebs out of his brain this morning. He was downright giddy with excitement.

They were coming home.

He stepped through the French doors and her scent hit him first. A sweet fragrance—honeysuckles or lilacs. Then he was slammed from the side as a pair of arms wrapped around him and Chelsea attached herself to him.

“Holy shit, you’re here.” He squeezed her tight, burying his face in her neck and taking in her perfume, letting it fill his head. “Oh God, I’ve missed you.”

He kissed her, soaking in her taste, tangling his fingers in her hair. Her lips were soft and flavored like heaven, and he could have stood there all morning. Dripping wet and breathing her air. They separated with reluctance, staring at each other. Her blue eyes sparkled with mischief.

“Missed you too.” She hugged him, resting her head on his chest. Braden looked around. Jamie had to be there as well. Sure enough, the man stood by their side, wearing an ear-to-ear grin.

“I didn’t miss you at all,” Braden joked. “Bed hog.”

Jamie crushed Chelsea between them and offered his lips for a welcome-home kiss. Braden savored the contrast between his lovers’ touch, between their tastes.

They were home.

By the time they managed to peel themselves apart, Braden was nearly dry.

“Go take a shower and wash the salt off. We brought breakfast with us. I’ll get it ready.” Jamie disappeared into the kitchen area. Chelsea walked with Braden toward the bedroom.

“You excited to be back?” he asked her.

She nodded. “Boston was lovely, and my classes were fabulous. Still, I missed Jaffrey’s Cove, and I missed you. A lot.”

He tugged her into the bathroom with him. “Join me?”

She grinned. “Jamie will be pissed if you ruin his meal.”

“I need someone to scrub my back.”

“Right, like we aren’t going to be fooling around in three seconds flat if I get in that shower with you.”

He waggled his brows. “Nothing wrong with that picture.”

She slipped from his grasp and out the door. “I want you too, but first, breakfast.”

Braden sighed in frustration. Now that they were here, mundane things like showers were a waste of time. Although he liked that Chelsea stood up to him. He showered and dressed in record time, rushing toward the most amazing aroma from his kitchen.

The table was set with a feast. Cinnamon buns, sausages, a bowl full of scrambled eggs.

“Hot damn.” His stomach grumbled. Okay, maybe food first, then they could get to the welcome-home sex.

Jamie passed him a coffee cup and nudged him with his hip toward the table. “Sit, we’ve got a ton to tell you.”

The three of them consumed the mountain of food while Chelsea shared about her classes. Jamie told stories about the students he’d taught. All the while Braden watched them carefully, soaking in their presence. They wouldn’t be around for long, and he didn’t want to spoil their time together longing for it to be different.

“You spoil me.” Braden laid a hand on Jamie’s shoulder, needing to touch, needing reassurance they really were there.

“I like cooking and it’s better than the frozen dinners you’ve been nuking for the past four months, isn’t it?”

Braden laughed. “Guilty as charged. I still want to know how a guy who grew up with maids and chefs taking care of him can cook so damn well.”

Jamie shrugged. “I’m a good learner. And there’s always something new to challenge me. Speaking of challenges…”

Chelsea and Jamie exchanged secretive glances and Braden couldn’t take it anymore.

“All right, enough. You two have teased and hinted the whole meal. Spill.”

“We’re moving home.” Chelsea beamed at him.

“What?”

Jamie leaned back in his chair. “Chelsea won’t be going back for the next semester.”

“You’re quitting?” Disappointment warred with excitement. He wanted her home, but he didn’t want her to give up on her dreams.

She rose from her chair and came to his side, resting her hand on his arm. “Not really.” Her smile grew larger. “I applied for special credit for the hours I’d put in at the museum here in Jaffrey’s Cove. The professor who checked my work was so impressed with the additions to the displays and media presentations I’d completed the past couple years, he marked and gave me credit for four full courses. I’m officially done my first year of studies in half a year’s time.”

“Holy crap.”

“It gets better. He’s fast-tracked me. Said I was one of his best students and since I seemed to work well with minimal supervision he set up at study-at-home program for me with him as a mentor. It won’t be the same degree as completing the university classes, but I’m good with that. Part of the reason I wanted to go away to college was to get out of Jaffrey’s Cove and see something of the world. I enjoyed my classes, but after living in the big city for the semester, I’ve had enough. The school wasn’t the be all and end all.”

Braden pulled her in for a giant bear hug. “I’m so proud of you. That’s incredible.”

“Plus…” Jamie rose as well and stood behind her, resting his hands on her shoulders. “I got the contract with the Metropolitan Museum of Art.”

Braden grinned at him. They’d debated and researched for months, trying to find a job that would allow Jamie enough freedom to continue to use his skills and let him return to Jaffrey’s Cove on a regular basis. “Congratulations. You’re the new acquisitions director?”

“Associate. I’ll be working under the curator to authenticate pieces they are looking to acquire. The added bonus is that I get to take an assistant with me. I happen to know this fabulous woman who is very talented…”

Braden leaned back with a jerk. Did he mean? “You can hire Chelsea?”

“No reason why not. It’s very common for couples who are involved to partner up on work like this. Our fieldwork will also be more than sufficient to satisfy the assignments and research she still needs to complete.”

Chelsea grinned up at him. “We’ll be gone for a couple of weeks at a time, but home between assignments. It’s about the best situation we could possibly have asked for.”

Braden cupped her face in his hands and pressed their lips together. Every time they left it would tear a tiny piece of his heart away. But having Chelsea achieve her dreams was worth it. “You’ll get to see the world, baby.”

Her eyes filled with tears. “I know. And I’ll be with Jamie, and you’ll be here when we return.”

He rested their foreheads together, breathing in the scent of her. It wouldn’t be a normal lifestyle, but it was perfect for the three of them. “I might just have to join you on a trip or two, you know, take my vacation time somewhere exotic.”

Jamie nodded. “Easily done and that would be fantastic.” He knelt, enclosing Chelsea in his embrace but adding Braden to the circle. “This isn’t about taking her away from you. I hope you know that.”

Braden stared at Jamie’s beautiful sea-colored eyes. Chelsea—he’d always loved and desired her. Jamie—the man had snuck into his heart and soul. “How can I not want her to achieve a dream she’s had forever? And knowing that you’re with her makes me even happier. In fact, I think you two should get married.”

“Married?” Chelsea squeaked.

Jamie nodded enthusiastically. “That’s an excellent idea. While we could simply live together, being married will make insurance and other things easier. Plus, my mother will finally get off my back.”

“Your family approves of her, don’t they?” Strange how he’d gone from being fiercely jealous at the thought of anyone with Chelsea but him, and now he couldn’t imagine life without Jamie in it as well.

“My family loves her. The hints my mother dropped the last time we went for dinner were startlingly blunt, even for her.”

“Guys…” Chelsea said.

“Well, that works well. You two get married, and we can move into the other apartment I own here in town. It’s a little larger, and no one would think anything of you renting a part of it for the times you are in town. The merfolk don’t give a shit, and the humans in town would think it’s a smart way to care for your possessions—having the sheriff as your landlord.”

“Guys…”

Jamie continued. “As long as you’re sure about it. I thought we could have another ceremony in front of Alexia, confirming that it’s actually the three of us—”

“Hello, there is another person involved in this conversation.” Chelsea pushed herself away and turned to glare at them, arms crossed in front of her.

Braden stared at Jamie in confusion for a minute. He’d missed something and hoped Jamie caught it.

“Chels?” Jamie stood. “Did you not want to get married?”

She sniffed. “No.”

Braden swore. “Why not?”

Chelsea lifted her chin. “Because you didn’t ask me.” She twirled on one heel and left them both, retreating to the back of the condo.

Braden dropped his head into his hands while Jamie snickered. They grinned at each other.

“You really okay with me marrying her?” Jamie asked.

“Definitely. Only it looks like we’re going to have some groveling to do first. Hey, that ceremony, the one in front of Alexia?” Braden grabbed Jamie and held him. “You and me are a part of it.”

“Chelsea’s the center.”

Braden nodded. “She always will be, but there’s no denying that you and I are connected as well.” He leaned over to kiss Jamie. They got lost in each other for a minute, Braden tugging Jamie closer until the heat of their bodies meshed together.

“Ahem.”

They broke apart to see Chelsea standing in the doorframe of the kitchen, naked as a jaybird. She lifted a brow before strutting away, the rounds of her ass swaying from side to side.

“I’m ready to grovel,” Jamie said.

“A very good idea. Let’s go grovel together.”