“He’sthe hot one,” Kayla murmured, glancing up at Zorn.
Zorn pretended not to notice. His dating life was kept very private, and he didn’t seem open for business. He nodded to Tarian and took a seat at the table.
Daisy grabbed the cutting board and knife and got ready to hand it back to Zorn.
“Nope,” Zorn said.
Daisy smirked and put it down.
“How’d it go, Lexi?” Boman asked with a cockeyed smile. He had been training instead of shopping, and now he was poking the bear.
“I just do not understand why I can’t use a professional.” She pushed the hair out of her face, dropped her stuff in the corner with Kayla’s, and sat at the table. “No offense, Tarian. I know you are very knowledgeable about human fashion…despite your only living here for six months and hopping in and out before that?—”
“She is talking so much shit right now, you don’t even know,” Donovan murmured gleefully under his breath as Jerry and Dylan came in with Niall and his brother, Darryn. Both of them had gotten stylish haircuts and stylish clothes, and taken on a posh demeanor. Despite their humble appearance, they were a hit with the ladies.
“She’s not the only one,” Niall said, his brow furrowed as he spied Daisy.
Whoops.She should’ve thought that one in the darkness.
“No, no, it’s fine.” Niall flicked a speck off his very cute jacket. “I can take it. Because yes, I am a favorite. Thank you for noticing.”
Bria rolled her eyes. They’d all been studiously practicing with the devices to keep their thoughts to themselves, and everyone but Daisy employed the training. She was just too used to thinking out loud at this point and didn’t much care if people “heard” anymore.
“I wish you would,” Darryn muttered.
“It’s just—” Lexi started.
“Show them what you got,” Tarian pushed, putting his bags down. “Just show them and see what they say.”
Lexi made a disgruntled sound and went to get her bag. Kieran, Gorlan, and the rest of the crew came in as Lexi waspulling out the first dress. They were also freshly showered and dressed. These houses had turned into community property, always available for showers and food and gatherings, and no longer just a home that Daisy and Mordecai often stayed at. For one, Daisy and Tarian had gotten their own place farther into the city. They could walk downtown hand in hand, freaking people out or disgusting them and laughing about it. Mordecai had gotten a place fairly close to Daisy and spent a lot of time over at Daisy’s. So did theFallen, who had also all gotten places close by and came and went as any family might.
If they wanted a bigger space to hang out in, they visited Lexi and Kieran near the water, or they all gathered here. Just as Daisy had thought, they all fit in. They all got along. The integration had been seamless. Her circle of trust had grown, and it was the center of her whole life.
Kieran snaked his arm around Lexi’s waist, kissing her temple and then looking over her shoulder at the dress.
“That’s really pretty, baby,” he said offhandedly.
Lexi huffed at him, making Bria laugh. “I mean, yes, it is. But…it just hangs weird.”
“Did you tell her to stop doom-hunching?” Daisy asked Tarian. “You have to tell her to straighten up or else shemakesthe item not fit right.”
Lexi glared at her.
Jack returned with a smile. He clapped his hands before rubbing them. “Okay, let’s get this show on the road. Who’s helping? Just kidding, that was rhetorical. Daisy, the celery won’t chop itself.”
“Here, I got it.” Tarian gently moved her out of the way. He took her seat and pulled her to his side so she leaned against him.
“Good man.” Jack handed off the celery. “Who is making the salad? Bria?”
“Make the salad,Jerry,” she said.
“Yeah,Jerry,” Niall intoned, quick to pick up all the banter and always giddy when participating. The guys loved him for it. “You can’t just sit there and play with your rocks all day.”
Several people laughed as Jerry took a seat at the corner of the table and ignored them like usual. Somehow, that always made it funnier.
People roamed, many heading out of the packed kitchen to the living room. Those who stayed helped with the food prep. Kieran opened a bottle of wine and passed around glasses.
Do you still think you made the right decision?Daisy asked Tarian as she drank in his proximity.
