I kept my mouth shut.
Though I might rib Wyatt about that one day.
Definitely would.
21
I was just getting settled in the Oliveria’s large party room to test out a theory if what happened during running was because I was too overloaded with magic again. We were selling more and more of everything, and I was still getting magic when the familiars who used my products harvested.
Small amounts—minute even—but that all added up when it was thousands of them. Tens of thousands… Even over a hundred thousand now maybe.
So yeah, that added up fast.
“I know you’re still validly upset with me, but I wanted to help,” Winter said as he handed me a paper bag with handles like from the grocery store.
I took it and glanced inside. “Was what Sergey said right?” I snickered when he flinched. “I knew Teddy was around, so it made sense you were. I don’t like that you hide and do that.”
“I was worried. I was really worried, and—it’s my default to assess and watch over and make sure people are okay. It doesn’t feel…”
“As intrusive and shitty as it is?” I mumbled as I pulled out the Muddy Bites. I frowned as I read the bag. Chocolate waffle cone pieces filled with peanut butter sounded good, but I was confused about the Smucker’s marshmallow topping for like sundaes.
“Trust me,” he chuckled when I glanced up at him. “It’s sugary goodness that always makes me smile as it rots my teeth, and right now you need some of that.” He knelt down and kissed my hair. “I’m really sorry I misunderstood. I swear it wasn’t a slight against you, and I thought Link was being a pushy gossip. Even innocently to try and cheer you up.”
“It was bad timing if you walked in just there with what we were saying,” I accepted. “I hope you have more faith in me in the future.”
“I have all the faith in you, Bev. I do. It’s just a lot on my heart sometimes. Getting a message you were in trouble and then walking into that was…”
I kissed his cheek. I hadn’t thought of that side of it. I couldn’t even imagine him rushing thinking I was seriously hurt and then I’m talking about sex with Link in a way he didn’t have the context for.
Yeah, I would have been less than thrilled and more than a little peeved if the situation was reversed.
“Mind if I stay and watch for a bit?” he asked quietly.
“And me?” a voice I knew asked. Kate chuckled when I simply blinked at her. “I have an idea, and I’m sorry I went to Tracey and Jasmine first, but I understood your daily schedule and saw the picture before me. I knew getting them on board would be the part you needed—let me help like you’ve helped us.”
I was hesitant, but Winter nodded, clearly sensing something I didn’t yet.
So I agreed. He had a small trip up, but I did trust him. A lot.
And his treat was good. Sickly sweet like he said, so I couldn’t actually have too many of them, but it was a very specific kind of craving I could see when I just wanted over the top nummy. It was like sundae fun when you couldn’t have the ice cream? Or just always easy on hand for extra lazy times?
Wyatt moved in front of me after a bit and waited until I focused on him after I finished the skein I was working on. There was worry in his eyes and Quinn was nervous.
“We’re changing something else?” I sighed, trying to hide my annoyance. “I need something to be consistent and not always—”
“I know,” he said gently, sitting on his foot and hugging his knee. “I know, I’m the same.” He waited until I nodded. “But I had an idea of how you get more bang for your buck. It might not work, or it might backfire a bit.”
I let out a slow breath and studied him. “You think it’s worth a shot?”
“Yes, after hearing that you love Tracey’s playlist. You might not be like Kelton and able to play or sing, but you’re… You’re like an empath in some ways and influenced. I think. It makes sense given how you take on so much with familiars and animals.”
“Okay, let’s try it, but I get to beat you up if it backfires.”
“More than fair,” he agreed with a soft chuckle.
A sexy one, but I ignored that.
And the way his bicep flexed when he fucked with his hair nervously. Yeah, I looked away and pretended I didn’t see it.
