Page 185 of Devoted

“I’m just so happy,” I said quietly, looking around the small living room I’d once called home. “I thought I was relatively happy before I met you, but I was just surviving.”

“And now?”

“Now I’m living.” I beamed at him, so fucking thankful for everything. “I’m living, and excited for what tomorrow brings. For all the tomorrows.”

“Me too,” he whispered. “All the tomorrows. Together.”

Epilogue - Ezekiel

THREE MONTHS LATER

The conference centre was uncomfortably loud. The readers hadn’t even been let in yet, but just the hustle and bustle of the authors and their assistants was enough to have me wincing.

Sam, thankfully, wasn’t bothered by it. He grinned at the author he was helping as he organised preordered books into tote bags. When he turned his head to the side, you could just about make out the blue rings of his Loops.

It was one of the things enabling Sam to do this today. The earplugs blocked out enough noise to stop him becoming overstimulated, while allowing him to still hear conversation. Assisting one of his authors at a signing had been on his bucket list of things he never thought he’d achieve. Gabs Wolfe was one of his favourite clients, and he’d gone through a lot of ups and downs when she approached him about this event. I’d felt his initial disappointment at turning it down along with the regret he’d felt afterwards.

The bond had given me the encouragement I needed to persuade him to give it a go. To speak to his therapist and come up with a plan.

Sat on one of the steel beams holding up the roof, I was so fucking glad I had. Sam was almost vibrating with joy, sunshine flowing through the bond. I grinned down at my mate, captivated by his happiness. As though he sensed me looking, Sam raised his head, shooting me a quick wink before returning to his task.

Up here, with a compulsion net in place, Sam was the only one who could see me. He didn’tneedme here today, but we’d both known he’d be less anxious if I was.

We’d gotten to the venue last night. With my powers, and Nate erasing the CCTV footage, we’d broken in with ease. Sam had had a chance to map out the whole space, figuring out where the author’s table would be, where the toilets were, and which room they’d go to for lunch.

It had gone a long way towards easing his anxiety about the event. Tyler had encouraged him to be open with the author he was assisting. It had taken several sessions, but eventually Sam had felt confident enough to explain his needs to the author. Gabs hadn’t hesitated in making accommodations for all his needs, including arranging a chair for him and sending a very detailed list of everything he’d be expected to do.

Gabs could expect a very elaborate floral display to arrive at her house on Monday as a thank you. Not from Sam, but from me.

Anyone who made my Sam happy earned a place in my good books.

The doors opened, the cacophony tripling almost instantly as readers began to pour into the room.

I settled in, keeping a careful watch on Sam.I’m right here, baby. Whenever you need me.

He couldn’t hear my thought, but from the grateful smile he shot my way, he knew. He didn’t need the words.

I was always here for him, and he knew that.

Turned out neither Sam nor I had any reason to worry about the signing.

“That was brilliant,” Sam gushed several hours later. He’d helped Gabs carry her things to her car, but his arms were still laden with bags. “Did you see the queues Gabs had? She thought no one was going to stop by her table, but I knew it’d be crazy. I’m so freaking happy for her.”

I scooped the many bags from his arms, grinning at him. “That’s hilarious. Does she not realise how popular she is?”

Sam snorted. “No. She’s one of my authors who’s convinced no one will read her books, and is perpetually surprised by how well they do.”

“Better that than having a massive ego, I suppose.”

“True.” Sam winked at me. “I have enough of those at home.”

“I’m glad you managed to get the books you wanted,” I said, holding up his bags. “I would’ve gone if you hadn’t managed it.”

He patted my arm solemnly. “Zeke, I love you, but I have almost zero faith in you remembering what I’ve ordered or which books I want quotes in.”

“I forget one thing when food shopping and you never let me live it down.”

“No, you forget one thingeverytime you go food shopping. But it’s okay. I think it’s cute.”

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