He was dressed casually. Dark jeans, a navy sweater that made his eyes look even more blue, hair just slightly mussed like he’d run his fingers through it before answering the door.
Then his gaze dropped to my hands, and his brows lifted.
“Flowers and chocolate?” he said, sounding halfway between amused and surprised. “Seems a little much, don’t you think?”
I felt my face heat. “Uh. Maybe? I just thought?—”
He grinned, holding up a hand. “Relax, Mark. I’m teasing.”
Right. Teasing. My brain, however, took a full three seconds to reboot after hearing his laugh. That low, warm sound did things to my chest I wasn’t proud to admit.
He reached for the gifts, his fingers brushing mine as he took the bouquet and the small box.
“These are beautiful,” he said, voice softening as he brought the flowers closer to his nose. “And chocolate. What a dangerous combination. You sure you’re not trying to seduce me before dinner?”
I blinked. “Would it work if I said yes?”
Zack’s smile turned sly. “Hmm. I’ll let you know after dessert.”
My wolf gave an appreciative growl in the back of my mind, and I had to cough to disguise my reaction. Zack chuckled and stepped aside, waving me in.
“Come on in. Let me just find a vase before these start drooping,” Zack said.
His apartment was as neat and lived-in. There were books stacked by the window, soft lighting, a faint trace of citrus in the air.
It smelled like Zack, homey and warm.
He disappeared into the kitchen, muttering something under his breath. “I remember putting the vase Ethan gave me a few Christmases ago here…”
I leaned against the doorway, watching him rummage through a cabinet.
His sweater rode up just a little as he reached for a higher shelf, revealing a sliver of skin above his waistband. My pulse jumped.
“You want help looking?” I asked, trying to sound casual.
He glanced over his shoulder. “Sure. Maybe it’s hiding from me on purpose.”
I stepped in beside him, shoulder to shoulder as we peered through his cabinets. The space was small enough that every time we moved, we brushed.
His elbow grazed mine, his sleeve brushed my wrist.
It shouldn’t have felt electric, but it did. My wolf stirred, alert and attentive, picking up the rhythm of Zack’s breathing, the warmth radiating off him.
“It’s not up there,” Zack said after a minute, sighing. “Oh, wait.”
He bent slightly, pulling open the lower cupboard.
I crouched beside him to help, and there it was. The most ridiculously festive vase imaginable. White porcelain with a painted wreath and tiny golden stars.
“This one?” I asked, grinning.
Zack laughed. “That’s the one. Ethan’s taste hasn’t changed in years.”
We both straightened, our shoulders bumping again as he took the vase from me.
“Thanks,” he said, his tone quieter now, almost shy.
“No problem.”
