Just Bromantically Invested (Accidental Love #4)

Epilogue

Penn

Seeing the transformation that Peach Acres underwent was amazing. I have to hand it to Damien and Madden, they’ve created something really special here.

After completing the engineering for the site, I took a giant step back. Madden stayed with our business in name only and threw himself into Peach Acres while I threw myself into Leaf It to Us.

The business that originally started as his idea, which I jumped into as a way for us to spend more time together, finally feels like mine . It only took two years, but we’ve grown quickly, and with the contract for landscaping maintenance about to begin, I’m now up to a team of ten. I’ve never been busier, and I love it.

I stop by Peach Acres after lunch with sandwiches for Madden and Damien. My team has been on-site all morning, mowing the greens, trimming back hedges, and testing the automatic sprinkler systems we installed.

I had a residential quote this morning, but with the grand opening so close, I know Madden wouldn’t have stopped to eat.

The big house has been completely rejuvenated. Fresh paint on the outside and modern on the inside. Madden’s in his office, on the phone when I arrive, and I drop his lunch on his desk before hand delivering Damien’s as well.

Relief crosses his face. “Penn, I could kiss you.”

“Better not,” Madden says, walking in behind me. “I have a real issue with sharing.”

Madden kisses my cheek and pulls up a seat at Damien’s desk, and I do the same.

“All ready for the launch?” I ask them.

Damien scrolls down his computer screen. “It’s looking promising. After all the pushback we’ve had in the past few months, I’m just relieved it’s happening.”

Those were a rough few months for us all. Having a nudist resort in the heart of Seattle brought out a lot of complaints once people worked out what was happening. People immediately equate nudity with sex and assumed the place would be one giant orgy. It’s not something I can judge them for since it’s such a common misconception, but I’m glad I know better now.

I’m completely comfortable with Madden being who he is, and I’m planning to go naked to the grand opening myself.

Madden hands over his pickles, and I pass back my tomato. We’re all quiet for a moment while we eat.

“It still doesn’t feel real,” Madden mutters.

“You’ve worked hard.”

Damien nods. “I couldn’t have done it without you. We’ve already outsold the membership numbers I was projecting.”

While I always had high hopes for Peach Acres, it’s bittersweet to see it such an immediate success. With Madden working here, it means we’ll likely never be running the business side by side again. On one hand, I miss those days we had; on the other, if we went back to working side by side, there’s no guarantee I wouldn’t kill him.

We live together, we spend time with all the same friends every weekend, and we talk work until our ears bleed, but this balance works for us.

My team will be doing work here, but it’s not every day, and I don’t need to be on-site for them to be. Madden and I still have that separation.

Plus, I see how happy he is here, and if it’s anything like the satisfaction I get from work, I’d never want anything less for him.

Madden deserves the best.

Because he always gives me the best.

There’s no more feeling like I’m competing for his attention, and it probably helps that his Bertha family adopted me and helped me drink the Kool-Aid. They’re all as close as ever, which is something Madden worried about when he moved out, but it also means Madden has branched out and made other friends.

The people he works with here, some of the early members, and one or two of the guys I’ve hired.

He’s never alone.

And thanks to him, neither am I.

I might not be a people person, but I’m Madden’s person. I’ve learned so much from him about how to let people in, and I’m less reliant on him now that I have people of my own in my life.

They’re all coming to this opening to show their support, and Lana said she’s even gathering up the courage to go naked as well. Lisa said she’ll go so far as her underwear, but I’ll believe that when I see it.

The good thing about Peach Acres, though, is that it doesn’t matter what they wear. It’s a place that’s judgment-free, for people to be however they’re most comfortable.

I don’t find it surprising at all that it’s something Madden would help bring into the world.

He’s the kindest soul I know.

And I’ll be forever grateful he’s all mine.

Head, heart, and gut.

We’re meant for each other.

THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR READING!

Last up in the Accidental Love series, Xander finally finds his person.

Say goodbye to the Bertha boys in Not Catching Love .