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Hayden didn’t know how to respond to that, so he just nodded.

“She deserves to be treated a lot better than she has in the past. A lot better.”

“She does. Min deserves everything. I plan on doing my damnedest to give her that.” He was honest and could only hope the judgmental Brittany could see that. She was silent for another moment before she nodded.

“Fine. Please know that I’m a fan of true crime podcasts and that I know at least six ways to hide your body.” Hayden’s eyes widened, but she had already turned to hug Min again, whispering something in her ear. Finally, with a quick wave at Hayden, she was gone.

Hayden was already taking Min’s hand in his. “What was that about?”

Min couldn’t look him in the eye. “She, ah, wants details.”

“About what?”

“About your… um… penis.”

A laugh jumped out of Hayden as Min turned her eyes to the ceiling. Not able to resist, he pulled her into him, winding his arms around her and pulling her so tight he could feel the press of her corset against his chest.

“FlameThrower, my penis is crazy about you.”

“Glad to hear it, DeathsHead, because otherwise this would be really awkward.”

He laughed, letting her go, and followed her to her dressing room where she still had to change out of her persona. This time, Hayden got to watch. Seeing her strip away every piece of the person she presented to her fans, knowing that the woman underneath was just as incredible, if not more, humbled him in a way that made his heart ache. This felt like his future, his everything, and he could not wait to get started on showing her just how much he loved her.

With her wig finally carefully packed with the rest of her outfit, Min turned to Hayden, full of confidence and love.

“Let’s get out of here. We got a trolley to catch.”

Her eye twinkled as he pulled her in for a kiss. And he felt how perfect it was, how perfect she was, and he sent a thought of gratitude to the universe.

His future was here, and he was ready to embrace it.

EPILOGUE

MIN

Min surveyed the space, looking for any detail she may have missed. Theo’s restaurant had been converted into a large spaceship, the design taken directly from Death Everlasting, Hayden’s video game that he was finally launching. After Min won the tournament and began her year of sponsorship, Hayden was approached by several companies interested in partnering with him on the product. Although he had been leery of joining with a corporation—especially so soon after Bleeding Sword had tried to screw him over—his desire to put the game out into the world faster was what won him over.

It had been a year since the Bleeding Sword tournament. A year since Min’s life had changed, since her real identity had been out for public consumption. It had been a bit of a roller coaster, one that was as exhilarating as it was nerve-racking. But Min knew in her heart that if she had to go back to do it all again, she would.

After the tournament, Brad had approached the board members about Dylan’s behavior. Dylan was quickly fired from the company and blacklisted from working in games. Brad had then set his sights on restoring the reputation of the company. Though few outside of the streaming world were aware of Dylan’s actions, it was enough to cause a ripple in the community that Bleeding Sword did its best to repair.

And then, when he felt like he had done everything he could for Bleeding Sword, Brad had surprised everyone and left to establish his own video game publishing company. He confessed to Hayden that he had always wanted to be on the creative side, working to develop new product and new creators. And while the situation with Bleeding Sword had been a setback, he was excited to move forward and finally live his dream.

When Brad had originally reached out to Hayden and Min a month after the tournament, it was only to again apologize and tell them he would testify in whatever court proceedings they wanted to bring against the company.

Min and Hayden had talked it over extensively after they had arrived back in LA. And though they had both been pissed, they also didn’t want to drag out a lawsuit or anything, so they agreed on a settlement.

After returning to Los Angeles, Min had practically moved into Hayden’s apartment, and he couldn’t seem happier as he picked up her dirty towels or listened to her talk with her chat while on stream. If anything, the chemistry and connection they had found in Kimball had only grown brighter and stronger.

It had been a year, a year of both of them growing their brand and settling into their new lives together. And now here they were, back for the Kimball International Convention of Fans, only this time Hayden was launching a game and Min was about to announce a new year-long sponsorship with Bleeding Sword’s new game.

“What are you thinking about?”

Min felt a warm hand slide into hers and she looked up, already smiling at Hayden. His eyes swept her body with approval. Min knew she looked good. Her hair was down, and she had let her sister do her makeup. She still wore her wig and outfits on her stream, feeling like she needed the separation between her and her streaming persona, and also knowing part of her audience simply loved the look. But Hayden loved her best when she was just herself. She did her own survey of him, enjoying seeing him in a suit. Her mind filled with memories of the morning, when she had put on that very same suit jacket and nothing else, determined to help him work through his nerves with the launch. The heat in his gaze told her he was thinking of the same thing, his eyes sliding down to take in her legs in the short skirt and heels, before coming back to stare at her mouth.

“You better check that look, Mr. Phillips. Your guests are about to arrive.”

He pulled her into him, kissing her cheek before sliding his mouth to her ear. “Just wondering if you’re wearing any underwear under that skirt.” The hand at her back drifted down until it rested just above her ass, stroking the curve there.

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