Page 20 of Kissed By My Roommate

EPILOGUE

ONE MONTH LATER

JUNIPER

I should be nervous about my show, but it’s not what has my guts twisted up in knots. Not even close. I don’t give a fuck about the show, not compared to what I’m really worried about.

I can’t help but smile when I think back over the last month. It’s been a whirlwind, but I wouldn’t change a single thing about it. I’m in love and my woman loves me.

If that’s not enough, the day after the grand declarations, Iris went into labor. When I got to meet my niece, Sophie, for the first time, I had one of those Grinch moments. My heart definitely grew at least three sizes. I love Iris and have been amazed by her many times but meeting the little life she brought into the world was something I could not have prepared myself for.

Sophie is so small. Or I’m just so big. Maybe it doesn’t matter, but I sure as fuck feel like a giant when I’m holding her.

She’s so precious. The fact that she’s surrounded by so much love, the love of our family, makes me feel secure in a way I wasn’t expecting. I know, no matter what she experiences in her life, she will never doubt she is loved. She has so many people at her back already.

I know it’ll only grow as she grows, and the family continues to do so as well.

Even though I wanted to go down to the hospital the moment I found out Iris was in labor, I didn’t want to go without Zoey who was sleeping. I was so fucking grateful she had the night off because I needed her there at my side. I needed her calm; I needed her love.

When Zoey woke up and I told her Iris was in labor she screeched, “Why the hell didn’t you wake me up, Juniper Berry Bush?”

I balked at her and then spoke slowly, “Berry Bush? You know that’s not my middle or last name, right?”

She waved her hand dismissively, “Yates was not going to have the same oomph to it.”

I grabbed her by the hips and hauled her against my chest. “I’ll give you oomph,” I warned her.

Zoey smirked up at me, her blue eyes sparkling. “We need to get down to the hospital, so you’ll have to put a pin in that, big guy.”

As much as I wanted to prove her wrong, to show her we had plenty of time, I was also buzzing with the need to be there just in case Iris needed me.

Looking back, I could have taken the time because Iris didn’t need me. She gave birth like a fucking champ. I’m so proud of her and the woman she’s grown into.

There was a time when she was a hot mess and I really had my doubts, but Gavin has brought out the best in her and helped her to find her footing in this world. I couldn’t be happier for either of them. Now, they have so much more because of the little life they created.

I find myself looking at Zoey and wondering if we’ll have the same kind of blessing in our life. I hope we do, but if she’s not ready then it’s okay too.

I can wait.

I’ll wait forever because as long as I have her at my side, then I’m good.

I look over at her now, talking to some of the women in the family with my art gallery opening in full swing around me. I don’t care about any of it. I only care about her.

She throws her head back and laughs, the sound going straight to my heart and making me smile. I look back over at Gavin and Cole, the lead singer for SO, to find them giving me knowing smirks. I roll my eyes and resist the need to punch them both in the face.

Cole teases me, “When are you going to make an honest woman out of Zoey?”

I glance away quickly, and Gavin lets out a low whistle before he leans a little closer, dropping his voice, “You’re doing it tonight, aren’t you?”

I give him one firm nod of my head and they get looks on their faces like it’s their birthday and all the wishes came true.

I shake my head and grumble, “I’m going to do it now before you guys can spill the beans.”

Cole flips me off and scoffs. “We would never, it’s Troy you have to watch out for.”

Because he has a fucking sixth sense about these things, Troy pops up next to me and I barely stop myself from jumping a foot off the floor. “Watch out for me for what?”

I glare at him, but he only chuckles in response. He winks at me before looking around the room. “Andrea said you’ve had quite a few sales tonight, Juniper.” He claps me on the back, “Congratulations, man.”

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