“Can’t complain,” he said. “Peter should be home any day now.”
I grinned because I knew how worried Lars had been when his only son Peter had left town, but he’d finally gotten his degree in accounting and was coming home.
“We can’t wait to have him at the office,” I said. “Top of his class.”
The old bear puffed up like the proud papa he was. “Now all he has to do is find a mate and give me some grandcubs.”
My eyes widened, and I looked over at Kian, but he didn’t seem to be paying attention. Instead, he was looking around the café.
“I thought it would be all quaint inside too.” My mate’s voice had me focusing on him.
I smiled and nodded at the plates on the exposed brick walls. “What about the blue plates and all the framed pictures?”
“I think it’s cool, like it’s very old meets new.” I led him over to a table tucked in the corner, so we couldn’t be seen by passersby. “The whole town is.”
“Thank you,” I said. I was proud of my home. We never forgot where we came from, but we also made sure to evolve with the times.
“I love all the half-timbered storefronts. It’s very European.” He shrugged. “At least I imagine it is. I’ve never been. Were those storks I saw on the roof?”
I chuckled and nodded. “Yup. They’re plastic, but we see them as a sign of good luck.”
I tried not to think of what storks also meant, but it was too late. The picture of Kian heavy with our child flashed in my head, and I wanted it to be real so badly.
I picked up the menus that lay on the side of the table and handed one to him.
“Thank you,” Kian said and shot me a grateful smile. “What’s good here?” he asked, opening the menu.
“Everything,” I replied, looking through the menu even though I already knew what I would be getting.
“That’s why you’re my favorite, Gabe.” I grinned and looked up to find Holly, Lars’s mate. She was a tall, thin woman with hair so pale it was almost white. It had been that way for as long as I could remember.
“Holly, good to see you,” I greeted her.
“Gabe.” She smiled at me before focusing all her attention on Kian. She looked between us, a calculating glint in her eye. Yeah, I was in for an inquisition in the very near future.
“And who might you be? I don’t believe we’ve met,” she said. “I’m Holly.” She held her hand out to him.
Kian’s smile was shy as he took her hand. “Kian. I’m new in town. It’s lovely to meet you.”
She looked between us again and grinned. “Lovely to meet you, Kian. I have a feeling I’ll be seeing more of you around these parts.”
“He’s Rhys’s friend, just moved here to work at the office.” No one asked me, and I didn’t know why I felt the need to explain. But I saw the amusement in Holly’s eyes.
“Right, well, you order whatever you want, even from the breakfast menu. We’ll be happy to make it. Just give us a shout when you’re ready to order.”
With that and one more knowing look, she left.
“She’s very nice,” Kian said.
“Yeah,” I agreed, even while knowing she was probably back there calling Gods knows who.
“You see anything you like?” I asked.
My mate licked his lips, and my pants definitely began feeling a little tighter.
“I’ve always wanted to try crepes, with like Nutella or something in it. I’ve seen videos on Instagram, but I never knew where to go,” he said. “But I should have a sensible lunch, right?”
“Who says? I think I’ll have the same. We can both be a little wild today,” I teased.
