Magnus doesn’t miss a beat. “Fate,” he says solemnly. “I was lured by the smell of funnel cake.”
“Funnel cake,” she repeats, deadpan. “Right.”
Butter decides Magnus is his new favorite person and presses against his leg. Magnus crouches to scratch behind his ears, voice low and affectionate. “You get it, don’t you, buddy? No judgment. Just vibes.”
Molly’s husband looks politely confused. “So, uh, are you guys filming something? Promo thing?”
“No cameras today,” Magnus says smoothly. “Just two colleagues who are catching up.”
My sister crosses her arms.
I can feel my face burning. “Molly?—”
She waves a hand. “Relax, I’m not calling Dad. Yet.”
Magnus straightens, brushing a bit of dog hair off his hoodie. “It was great meeting you both. And Butter, obviously.”
Butter barks like he’s agreeing. Magnus grins. “He’s got impeccable taste.”
Molly gives me thatwe’ll talk laterlook only big sisters can master. “Nice to meet you, Magnus.”
“Likewise.” He turns to me, slipping his sunglasses back on. “Ready, Ice Prince?”
I groan under my breath. “Don’t call me that.”
He smirks. “You love it.”
“Well, have fun, you two. Don’t let Butter’s fame go to your heads.” Molly smiles, knowingly.
Magnus bows slightly. “Wouldn’t dream of it.”
We walk off before she can ask anything else. I can feel her eyes on us the whole way down the block. Magnus slips his hand into mine for half a second before letting go.
When we’re finally clear, I exhale hard. “You just lied to my sister.”
“She seemed nice,” he says innocently. “Sharp. Not easily fooled.”
“She saw right through you.”
“Probably. But she didn’t say anything.”
“She will.”
He grins sideways. “Then I’ll charm her again.”
I shake my head, laughing despite myself. “You are insufferable.”
“Yeah,” he says softly, bumping my shoulder with his. “But you’re smiling.”
He’s right. I am.
12
Magnus
“Magnus...” Alaric moans my name in such a sweet tone that I almost come in my pants.
His fingers are knotted in my hair, his hips bucking harder into my mouth.
