Page 85 of Just a Friend for the Lion
Epilogue: Carter
“Is this thing on?”
I tap the mic clipped to my shirt collar, squinting at the little green light. A soft giggle bubbles against my chest as MJ hides her face there like she’s trying not to laugh too loud.
We’re snug on a loveseat, shoulders touching, knees tangled, and behind us hangs a glowing neon Date to Mate sign shaped like a heart.
Off to the side, Uncle Uzzi is hovering—literally—white suit gleaming, little sparks of magic drifting off him like glitter at a fairy rave.
I press a kiss to MJ’s temple because I can.
Because she’s mine.
BecauseI’ll never stop.
The director—a hulking Polar Bear Shifter with headphones—just gives me a nod. From the size of that nod, I’m guessing the mic is definitely live.
“Alright,” I mutter, adjusting slightly, “guess that’s a yes.”
The Polar Bear waves a paw. “Tell us about your experience.”
I rub the back of my neck, already scowling. “Well, if I’m being honest, I didn’t want to use Date to Mate. Thought it was a trap. Thought I didn’t need it. Then, I got dared into it, and all I can say is?—”
“Best decision of his life,” MJ cuts in sweetly, eyes sparkling as she squeezes my hand.
I laugh, tugging her closer. “Yeah, she thinks she’s funny.”
But she’s not wrong.
“That’s the damn truth of it,” I admit, turning back to the camera. “Using Date to Mate was the best decision of my life. Because it brought me her. My mate. My forever. My Kitten.”
“Oh, Carter,” she whispers.
“I love you, Kitten. And I’ll tell the whole damn world just because I can. But if I can also encourage some sorry, lonely supe to get off hisass and find his forever, then I’ll do that too. Call it paying it forward,” I tell her.
“I love you, too. And I am so glad I signed up for Date to Mate.”
“Best damn day of my whole life,” I repeat.
MJ blushes and smacks my chest, but she’s smiling too, soft and secret like she knows exactly what I mean.
I clear my throat, meeting the lens straight on.
“So, why don’t you give it a try? What’s the worst that could happen?”
“Uh, you end up mated to a Lion with terrible driving playlists and a bad habit of eating the last slice of pizza,” MJ teases, and everyone in the room laughs—even the damn Polar Bear.
“Worth it,” I growl, catching her mouth with mine before she can get another word out.
Behind us, Uncle Uzzi sighs like a proud papa, sparks flaring brighter as he claps his hands.
“Vunderbar! Cut! That’s a wrap! Children, stop that!That’s a WRAP,” he yells.
Then, I roar once and go back to kissing my pretty little mate, dragging her onto my lap.
I hear Uncle Uzzi scurrying about, but I ignore him. I have other things on my mind.
“Oh my! Yes, well, let’s go now! Shoo, everyone shoo. We should just leave them alone. I said shoo! Everyone out! Close this set!”
