“Everything is needed. There are young enforcers that join that have very little. There are some fairly young new couples who don’t have a whole lot, who are still working to save for things. It was a great idea that was dropped in the council’s suggestion box.”
Camden looked confused. “The council has a suggestion box?”
I chuckled. “They do. That’s where the store came from. And the bakery. And the clinic we will be working in together. Same with the restaurant that’s going to be opening up a little later in the spring.”
“Oh, there’s a restaurant opening?” Camden’s brow furrowed. “But I thought there was a cafeteria at the council building?”
“There is. And they do have a takeout window around the back of the building. But it closes at seven in the evening, and there are several that eat later for various reasons. From my understanding, the restaurant is going to be the first of a few. But the largest vote was for a burger-and-fry-type place.”
Camden sighed. “I can see that. I do like me a good, thick, juicy burger. With extra bacon. That’s the best. Especially after a long run. Or a steak.” Camden groaned and placed his hand on his stomach. I was going to ask what was wrong when I heard his stomach growl.
“Oh. Are you telling me I need to feed you?”
“No. I can feed myself. But I’m realizing that it’s been some time since we’ve eaten, and I should probably find something. Apparently, I am hungry.”
I chuckled. “I’ll happily feed you. Which would you prefer? A steak? Or a thick, juicy burger with extra bacon?”
Camden whimpered. “That’s not fair, Maxwell. I want both.”
I swept Camden up into my arms and laughed when he squeaked. “Then you can have both,” I told him. “We’ll split them, each taking half, and then you get to satisfy the craving for both things.”
Camden placed his hand on my cheek and forced me to look at him. When I did, he kissed me. “That has got to be the sexiestthing I’ve ever had someone suggest to me before. You would really fix both? And be all right with that? And sharing?”
I nodded before shaking my head. “I’m not sure who you’ve been around, and it doesn’t matter at this point, but you are my One. I would do absolutely anything for you, and that includes making you a burger and a steak for the same meal.” I continued walking, and in under a minute, we were at the table. I set Camden down on his feet and smiled when he squealed again. There on the table was everything I’d said I’d make for his meal. We both had steaks, burgers, a pile of fries for Camden, and a sweet potato for me. I pulled out the chair for my One, and after he leaned up and kissed me quickly, he sat, and I helped him push his chair in. Even without our bond, I could sense Camden’s happiness at something as simple as offering what he wanted. I couldn’t help but wonder why it was that there seemed to be so many who either wouldn’t or didn’t offer the simplest of gestures for others?
Chapter 10
Camden
Ididn’t have nearly the experience or abilities that Maxwell did, but that didn’t mean I wasn’t a good doctor. That being said, why was I so nervous? I was feeling great. I’d not had any bouts of pregnancy sickness, my mate was amazing as a person and even more so as a mate, and I was starting my new position at the council.
Maxwell leaned close. “It’ll be all right,” he told me as we walked up to the front of the bakery. I looked over at him and would have wondered how he knew I was nervous, but he was my mate, and he could tell through our bond.
“I don’t know why I’m nervous. I’ve started new positions before. I think it’s more that I’m going to be judged and found lacking when it comes to being your One.”
Maxwell stopped and scowled. “Why would you think that? Who is going to judge you?” Maxwell shook his head.
“Anyone? Everyone? You’re the council’s doctor, and from everything I’ve heard before I came here and all I’ve seen in your memories, you’re very much loved. Which is wonderful. But I don’t want to be found to not be worthy of you.” It had been one thing when I was joining the council as the other doctor. I was going to be working with Dr. King. Now, I was more than that. Iwas Dr. King’s One. And now that I’d had time for that to sink in, I was definitely feeling insecure.
“Look at me,” Maxwell said quietly. When my eyes met his, I found nothing but love staring back at me. “I love you. You are amazing, and you are absolutely perfect for me. Once everyone gets to know you, they are going to agree with me. But I do not care what they think of you, and on some level, you shouldn’t either. They aren’t in our relationship. You and I are.”
He was right, and I knew it. Of course, I wanted everyone to like me on a professional level, but it didn’t matter if they liked me or not as Maxwell’s One. Only his opinion on that mattered, and he was correct in saying as much.
“You’re right, of course.” I took a deep breath and smiled up at my mate.
“Good morning, Dr. King. Luc?”
Maxwell stood up and smiled. “Good morning, Ramsey. I would like to introduce you to Dr. Camden Kennedy. He’s the council’s newest doctor and is going to be helping me at the clinic. He also happens to be my One.”
I looked way up at the man. He didn’t scent like a dragon, and his scent was more earthy, so I deduced that he was a gargoyle.
Ramsey looked honestly surprised. “First, congratulations,” he said. “And I do apologize. You look a whole lot like Luc,” Ramsey said as he held out his hand. After we shook, he immediately returned his attention to Maxwell. “The fact that he’s not Luc makes so much more sense in that you two were a whole lot cozier than I would think that Luc would be with anyone other than Garic.”
Maxwell laughed. “Very true. It was quite a surprise, although a most pleasant one.”
“I’ve actually met Luc. My first day here, Alpha Osmund introduced us because one of the first things he noticed was howmuch I looked like Luc. I’m several inches shorter than he is though.”
“Yeah, I think I can see that now,” Ramsey said. “It’s very nice to meet you, Dr. Kennedy.” Ramsey nodded. “Are the two of you taking time off of work? Getting sweets?” Ramsey’s eyes widened. “You said you are mates. Are double congratulations needed?”
