“Hey, beautiful.” The devious smile. The lined eyes. The plies of silver jewelry and silver painted nails. He had on white jeans, a sequin tank top, and a veil. The combat boots seemed to be a repeat from last time.

Last time. When Endgame helped Roberta and Peter kidnap me.

“Hi.” He reached a hand out and I wrapped my fingers around his hand.

He turned and led me out from under the tree. Under the umbrella, it was just he and I.

“God, I missed you.” I wanted to kiss him.

“Same here.” He ran his thumb in circles on the top of my hand.

He pulled me close. Chest-to-chest so we were out of the rain as we could be.

“You didn’t get a love match at the place I sent you to?” He looked down his nose at me.

“Did you find what you needed in France?” I tilted my chin up.

“Yes and no.” He tilted his head. “I think I did what I had to do, so that I could finally be here with you completely.”

“That sounds…promising.” I put one hand on his shoulder and gave in to the need to lay my hand on his chest. He cradled me, humming while kissing the top of my head over and over.

The rain started to let up a bit. Downpours can only keep it up for so long. They’re too dramatic, too damaging. As suddenly as it appeared, it was back to the mist. The whole event came back into view.

Soon, we weren’t alone under the umbrella, with Tinsley and Parker crowding in to join our hug.

The welcoming hellos and joy were loud, and soon, Austin closed the umbrella and set it to the side so he could properly hug everyone.

“French guy! How was it? Are you back back or just sort of back?” Tinsley jumped on Austin and he supported her.

I had a hug from behind and wrapped my arms around my back so I could hug Teddi.

We had quite a group when we had all finished saying hello.

Ruffian, Gaze and Pixie Rae, and Milt and his cosplay business buds—everyone was there and in a version of white.

Austin welcomed everyone and then stood next to me. I put my arm through his.

He paused to look down at me. “Where’s your boyfriend?”

I gave him a look. “There’s no one. You know that.”

“I still can’t believe that’s possible. Have you seen you?” He took me and twirled me around.

Everyone that had booths or tables in the park had to dry up. Luckily, it seemed everyone was expecting the fickle weather because there were a ton of towels to go around. Before long everyone was reset and the balloons floating back at full height. The band could even begin their sound check.

“You got Widowed Vibes to play?” Austin hollered up to Teddi.