Okay, it is a bit much for him. I get it. The shadows of dead wives are long. There are at least a dozen gothic novels about it. It is quite the mood killer.
“We don’t have to do anything,” I say softly. “We can cuddle instead.”
Ned’s eyes fly open. He searches my face. Then he gives me a small smile that doesn’t quite reach his eyes.
“Why are you so sweet?” he says.
I let out an exaggerated sigh as I lie down next to him and pull him close.
“Just born with it. It is such a terrible burden, being this perfect.”
Ned laughs at my terrible joke and the sound of his happiness makes my heart do a full cartwheel. I want to coax that sound from him every day. For ever and ever.
Ned snuggles into me and we get comfortable. He fits against me like my missing puzzle piece. A sigh of deep contentment pours out of me. I’m not just the luckiest man alive, I’m the happiest.
Chapter eighteen
Ned
Ihave never been more nervous in my life. It’s ridiculous. Morgan is coming to the house to pick me up for a date, and he wants to meet the boys. It’s hardly a dangerous or life-threatening situation. Hell knows I’ve suffered far worse.
So why does this feel intolerable? Why the fuck are my palms sweaty? I didn’t even know my palms could get sweaty. It has never happened to me before. I must be having some sort of breakdown.
“It’s going to be fine, Ned.” says Lello. “Everybody is going to love him and he is going to love everybody.”
Lello’s blue eyes are wide and utterly earnest. I sigh and pat him on the shoulder. How anyone is so damn sweet is completely beyond me.
Jade and Pink walk into the dining room and quietly take their seats. A dining room is a strange place for what is supposed to be an informal meeting, but it is one of the few rooms big enough to comfortably hold everyone, so it is going to haveto do.
My gaze locks with Jade. His expression is strange and I can’t read it. Shit. Please don’t tell me he knows that Baltazar has ordered me to kill him if he goes loopy again.
“We are happy for you, Ned. We really are,” says Pink, snatching my attention away from Jade.
There is something in his gentle tone that sets my teeth on edge. I’m pretty sure there is a ‘but’ coming.
“But…”
See! I knew it! I knew they couldn’t resist meddling in my business.
“Shouldn’t you tell Morgan that you are his great-grandfather?”
“I’m not!” I snap.
Jade fixes me with a glare. “No, you’re his dead wife’s great-grandfather.”
I open my mouth to defend myself, despite the horrendous guilt coiling low in my belly, but the doorbell rings. Talk about being saved by the bell.
“He’s here!” I announce unnecessarily as I turn and sprint for the door.
I fling open the door and grin at Morgan like a maniac. He has dressed up for our date and looks absolutely stunning. He is wearing a tie and everything. Before I can say a word, Lello comes out of nowhere and throws himself at Morgan, wrapping him in a tight hug.
Lello untangles himself, grabs Morgan’s hand and tows him to the dining room, all while talking ten to the dozen about everything and nothing.
Morgan looks back over his shoulder at me, and I give him an apologetic shrug. He smiles warmly and turns back to Lello. Seemingly completely unphased.
A warm, tingly feeling washes over me. My boyfriend likes my best friend. It’s wonderful. As for my best friend liking my boyfriend, that’s a given. Lello likes everyone. He is daft like that.
We reach the dining room. A quick glance confirms that everyone is here now. Well, everyone apart from Gray and Mal. But that’s not surprising. They are often late. Too busy going at it like rabbits. All the frigging time. It would be alarming if Gray wasn’t an incubus.
