“Truth be told, the shorter ones are better. Do you plan on having a party?”
I stood and straightened out my white skirt. “Bear cooked a delicious lunch, but he won’t tell us what it is.”
“That sounds lovely. You two should enjoy your day together and put away work and chores.”
“You’re more than welcome to stay,” Hope offered.
Eden glanced at her watch. “I’d love to, but I have an appointment with a Mage about some property this morning, so my hands are tied. Mr. Cross!”
Lucian froze in the hallway and looked over his shoulder as if he’d been scolded.
“There’s a book in my coat. Can you hand that to me? No, check the inside lining.”
When he pulled it out, he started to open it.
Eden rushed toward him and snatched it from his hands. “You’re not supposed to see what’s in there.” She popped him on the behind with it.
He arched an eyebrow. “And what’s in there?”
Eden strutted toward the dining room and called out, “Family recipes!”
Salem waltzed in, hands in his pockets. “Mind if we talk? It’ll be quick.”
Atticus waved Violet’s hand at me. “We’ll be waiting in the other room.”
After everyone cleared out, Salem closed the distance between us. “You look pretty.”
“Thank you, good sir. And you look handsome.”
He smiled down at his grey cable-knit cardigan. “I don’t own a suit. Maybe I should get one with all the mating ceremonies going on lately.”
“It’s not a formal affair. Atticus and I are only dressing up to make it special, but you just be you.” I reached over and tucked in a loose thread from a button on his shirt.
“I have news,” he announced.
“You’re not leaving, are you?” I clutched his arm. “Tell me you’re not leaving.”
“I’m not leaving.”
“Don’t scare me like that. If it weren’t for you, I would have never joined this pack or met Atticus.”
He stroked his beard, and though I was tempted to tuck away a lock of hair that had come loose from his topknot, I left it alone. Those gestures I had once done to suggest we were a couple now had no place in our relationship.
Salem put his hands in his pants pockets. “One of the local packs hired me as their permanent healer.”
“Oh, that’s wonderful!”
“It’ll bring in a decent income. I’ll still handle calls as they come in, but this assignment is steady money—something we can count on.”
“I bet Tak was thrilled.”
His eyebrows rose. “I haven’t told him yet.”
“And why not?”
He shrugged. “I didn’t want to steal your thunder. I just found out last night. It would be better if everyone spent time talking about your special day, don’t you think?”
“If you don’t say something at lunch, I will. How exciting!”
