Darn Knit All (All Access #3)

Epilogue

MAI

Mai

What did you think of the listing?

Theo

Babe, the jacuzzi looked like it has definitely seen some orgies. And what was with every sink having those godawful giant fake gold swan-head taps? Not to mention the creepy room with the doll’s head wallpaper…

Mai

So it’s a yes?

Theo

I already put in our offer

T heo flopped onto the couch beside me, plopping a large bowl of popcorn in my lap.

“Yasmin,” I said into my phone, grinning up at him. “It’s fine. Maeve and I are co-owners for a reason, right? Let us handle it and you focus on little Charlie, okay?”

She breathed heavily down the phone line. “I’m sorry. I’m just….”

“Exhausted, stressed, sick?”

She chuckled. “Something like that.”

“Seriously,” I reassured her. “We’re good. Take the rest of the week off and we’ll see you when you’re better.”

“Thanks, Mai. Love you.”

“Love you too. Later.”

I hung up and tossed the phone onto the coffee table, digging my hand into the popcorn as I shifted to snuggle into his side on our couch.

“Everything okay?” he asked, wrapping an arm around my shoulder.

“Charlie’s sick. Yasmin’s freaking out.”

“Babies get sick,” Theo said with an air of experience I didn’t feel he had.

I chuckled, tipping my head back to look at him. “You okay if I pull a few extra hours at the store this week?”

“At your store,” he corrected, leaning down to kiss me. “And of course. Live your dream, babe.”

I sighed happily, snuggling closer as he hit play on the remote.

“What’s this episode about?” I asked as the opening credits scrolled across the screen.

“I can’t remember.”

I glanced up, cocking an eyebrow. “You can’t remember?”

He shook his head. “Guess we’ll both be surprised.”

I snorted, turning back to watch the show.

“Welcome to Theo Tries , the show where I travel the country trying different jobs.”

The video cut to Theo standing outside a fancy-looking wedding venue, a huge smile on his face.

“I’ve always wondered what it takes to pull off the perfect wedding,” TV Theo said. “Today I’m going to find out by shadowing renowned wedding planner Alicia Hsu.”

The camera panned to an elegant woman who shook Theo’s hand. “Ready to dive in to the wonderful world of weddings?” Alicia asked with a grin.

“Absolutely! I’m yours to command,” Theo replied cheerfully.

I couldn’t help but laugh at Theo’s signature enthusiasm and eagerness to learn.

I’d forever be grateful to Celeste for helping make this happen. Not only had she helped us reedit our cuts to present a truthful reflection of our time—and relationship status—on Perfect Fit, but she’d personally championed Theo’s career. With the wave of her magic clipboard, she’d smoothed everything over, paving the way for Theo’s career.

It further helped that Jude and Keeley got their comeuppance thanks to a fraud enquiry. They’d needed the money from both the contest and selling us out in order to try and cover their tracks. Turned out, they’d fudged their business accounts—committing wire and tax fraud.

Unfortunately for them, the authorities had worked out their scheme before the prize money could be handed over. Last I’d heard, they were awaiting trial.

When news of their arrest had broken, any attention that had remained pointed at Theo and I had dissipated, leaving us free to get on with our lives.

On screen, Alicia began showing Theo around the venue, pointing out the ceremony and reception spaces and explaining the timeline for the day.

“The key is organization and staying on top of all the little details,” Alicia said. “A great wedding coordinator has to be unflappable under pressure.”

Theo nodded intently. The cameras then followed him as he helped set up centerpieces, lined up the wedding party for the processional, and dealt with a near-disaster with the cake delivery. Through it all, TV Theo maintained his upbeat attitude and quick wit.

Beside me, the real Theo chuckled. “I’m surprised they didn’t show me?—”

TV Theo tripped, nearly toppling a tower of champagne flutes in the process.

“—never mind.”

Now laughing, I snuggled closer to my boyfriend, enjoying our easy companionship.

Our lives were busy, so nights like tonight were precious. Between Theo’s wildly popular show, and my never-ending custom orders, I could safely say we’d managed to become successes.

The credits rolled and I tilted my head back, smiling up at him. “What’s next on the list of things for Theo to try?”

He hesitated, then lifted, shuffling me around until he could reach between the couch cushions.

I watched, my heart in my mouth when he withdrew a small black box.

“I thought we might do a special episode,” he said, his voice gruff with emotion. “Theo tries marriage.”

I cleared my throat, blinking rapidly to keep the tears at bay. “What’s special about it?”

“It airs twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week just for you.”

A hysterical bubble of laughter caught in my throat.

“Mai Sakamoto, will you do me the honor of?—”

“Yes!” I threw myself at him. “Yes, yes, yes!”

“Oof!” Theo laughed, wrapping me in a hug. “You don’t know what I was going to say!”

“It’s always a yes,” I told him, peppering his face with kisses.

Theo tenderly cupped my face, his green eyes dancing.

“I can’t wait to spend the rest of my life with you,” he murmured, brushing his thumb over my cheekbone.

Tears pricked my eyes. “It’s going to be an adventure.”

He chuckled. “That’s the best kind of life.” He kissed me softly, reverently, like I was the most precious thing in his world.

“I love you,” I whispered against his lips. “Even if it’s too late to win your bet with Ren. We could have really used that hundred bucks for the wedding.”

He barked out a laugh. “Damn bet.” Rolling me over, he covered me with his body.

“I love you,” he whispered, sealing his words with a kiss.

Theo slid the ring on my finger, and like our relationship, it was a perfect fit.

Thank you for reading Darn Knit All.