“Kacey,” I whisper dramatically, “there’s a topless man wearing your apron.”
She’s perched on a stool, elbow on the counter, staring hard at Amon’s back. She doesn’t respond.
I pretend to clear my throat. Nothing.
“Amon,” I try, holding back my laugh. “Do you think you could put a shirt on so I can have some type of conversation with my friend?”
He turns, revealing a large chest covered in swirling gold and orange designs, like fire painted across bronzed skin.
“My apologies; in my district, we rarely wear clothes indoors,” he explains. “It is the norm for shifters as our blood runs hot, it feels quite unnatural to be covered.”
“Totally fine by me,” Kacey murmurs, eyes glued to his chest.
Amon flashes her a fiery look that could burn through steel, and I suddenly question every decision that brought me here.
With no subtlety, I clear my throat, and Kacey blinks.
“Think you could go next door for a little while? Just so me and J can talk?” Kacey asks sweetly.
With one nod, Amon turns off the hob, closes the distance in two steps, and places the softest kiss on Kacey’s forehead. He grabs a shirt from the chair, and we both watch as he leaves, waiting until we hear the door click into place.
“Goddesses, you two are so cute,” I sigh, turning to meet Kacey’s smiling face. A smile that tips into a small giggle. “What?”
“I called him cute the other day and… well…” Her cheeks flush. When her eyes dart to the kitchen counter, the one we’re leaning against, I slowly lean away.
“Do I need to, like, disinfect or something?”
A sharp, shocked laugh bubbles out of her, then she can’t stop, and I find myself joining in. When she suddenly reaches for my hand, placing it back onto the counter with hers resting on top, my laughing stops.
She’s touching me, again, like it’s nothing.
Kacey wipes tears from her eyes, catching her breath when she says, “I’m so glad you came over. I’ve missed having you here.”
“Yeah?” I quirk a brow. “Even though I was a pretty shit friend when I was?”
“Okay, but—no!” She winces. “I mean… you were quiet, but it’s not like I was expecting deep confessions over burnt muffins. You had a lot of things to think about, and to figure out, lots of stuff. Like… traumatic stuff.”
Only Kacey could say traumatic stuff like it’s a category on a grocery list.
“Well, I’m here now, trying to make up for it.” We both smile at that. “How’s Raelynn doing?”
Kacey’s smile turns sad. “Her body’s healing, but… the mage extended her coma yesterday.” Her voice lowers. “She said her injuries are extensive. Could take weeks for her to physically recover, never mind the mental support she’ll need after…”
I reach out, clasping her hand on the counter without thought. “I’m so sorry, K.” Tears well in her eyes. “But I’ll be here. For you and Raelynn, when she wakes up, because shewillwake up.”
Doubt plagues Kacey, eating into the air around us. I twist it, trying to inject some hope, and her fingers tighten around mine.
“You’ll have me and Amon to help.” I smirk. “How’s that going by the way? Or do I really not want to know.”
“Good.” Her vague little response is plenty, especially when her cheeks redden. “Rae won’t recognise me.” She shakes her head. “With Amon, I’m so different.”
“I don’t think that’s a bad thing, Kace.”
“No, I don’t think it is either.” She nods, smiling softly. Then she leans closer. “What about you? How are you andyourbonds?”
“I’m staying over at their house tonight.”
She frowns, puzzled. “And… that’s a big deal?”
