“Thank heavens.”
Kian returned to the kitchen, then padded silently into the front room as I finalized the bank deposit. He hovered,straightening bottles that didn’t need it and wiping down surfaces that were already sparkling.
“Spit it out, Kian,” I said with a smile.
He leaned against the bar next to me. “It’s not an easy question to ask. Especially days before the wedding.” I glanced at him out of the corner of my eye, and he blurted, “Do you really think the twin vampires will hold off until after the wedding? I can’t shake this feeling that they're going to try to attack us or something and ruin everything.”
“No,” I answered honestly. “If you ask me, neither of them can be trusted. I understand your feelings, but I trust James, and he says they wouldn’t dare. Especially with new information that’s come to light.”
“You mean the witch thing?”
“Yeah,” I said, relieved that Hannah had already told him. “That’s exactly what I mean.”
Kian stifled a yawn. “Can you use your powers to make James hurry up with that coffee?”
I laughed, pulling my phone from my pocket. “I’ll see what I can do.”
Throughout the day, my mind spun with the conversation I’d overheard that morning. James picked up on my unease, but he didn’t pry. Not until after the doors were locked and Kian was finishing up the cleaning. While he was distracted, I slunk into the office and collapsed onto the couch with my head in my hands. He rose from the desk, crossing the room to drop into the seat next to me. “Talk to me, love.”
“I think Hannah’s disappointed about not getting a wedding of her own,” I mumbled into my hands. “I overheard Kian consoling her this morning.”
I heard the frown in James’s voice. “I picked up on that, but she assured me that she wanted to do this, so I didn’t push the issue.”
“I wish there was something we could do to help.”
James rubbed a soothing hand across my back. “Maybe we can give her and Kian a big ceremony, when the time comes.”
“I don’t think I’d survive that,” I said dryly. “I held those fabric samples in my hands and named them for Hannah, and Istillcouldn’t tell you the difference between the shades of red.” Instead of rushing home, we sat in silence for several long moments, simply enjoying being with each other. “They’ll both be there in Vegas, watchingusget married and wondering when they can have theirs,” I mused. “If only we could give them the same opportunity.”
“Do you really want to do that?” James asked, bringing my fingers to his lips.
“Not at the expense of our wedding,” I said, hating at how selfish that sounded. “I’m marrying you next Saturday come hell or high water.”
I could practically feel James’s butterflies, and I glanced over to see that adorable look on his face.
He was silent for a long moment, the only sound in the room the soft ticking of a clock above his doorway.
“What about a double wedding?”
My head snapped to look at him. “You’d really be okay with that?” I asked.
“Of course I would, love—especially if it’s what you want. It isn’t just anybody we’d be sharing the day with. Hannah is your daughter. Soon, she’ll practically be mine too. I can’t think of any better way to celebrate that, if you want to give them that gift.”
“Not to mention,” I said, growing excited at the idea, “think of how much fun it’ll be to turn the tables and surpriseher!”
James chuckled, standing and tugging me up beside him. “But first, can we go to bed? I’m exhausted.”
I fumbled for my phone in my pocket, acting like I was going to record him. “Hold on, can you say that one more time?”
“Asshole,” he muttered, grinning.
I stood, dodging a swat to my ass as I opened the office door and called out for Kian, who was busy cleaning the bar top.
Leaving the door open, I returned to my seat and let James lean against me. Kian shuffled into the office, exhaustion evident on his face. It had been a tiring week for all of us.
“I hope we’re not overstepping,” James began, “but Ryder overheard your conversation this morning.”
Kian’s hazel eyes widened. “You can’t tell her you heard that! She’s so happy for you two, and she’s been working so hard?—”
