I gasped. “Tay!”
I flew off the bed faster than lightning and launched myself at him in a big hug.
“Oof.” Taylor patted my back. “Hey, Muzo.”
“I missed you so much,” I said, though it came out muffled against his shirt.
Taylor smiled. “I missed you, too. Even though it’s only been a few months since the last Games.”
“Yeah, but it’s been different back in the city since you moved away. Just me and Poppy against the world.”
Taylor sounded amused. “You make it sound like you’re a pair of sad abandoned puppies instead of two grown men.”
“Ifeltlike a sad abandoned puppy.”
Taylor gave me another solid pat. “Saffron, do yourself a favor and hope for a feline fated mate. Canines are clingy by nature. Exhibit A is currently stuck to my shirt.”
Saffron’s phone keyboard clicked as he wrote that down. “Noted. By the way, where’s Ruby?”
“Viol is babysitting,” Taylor explained. “When Crimson heard that Cobalt actuallywantedhis help getting dressed for once, he dropped everything, including parenting responsibilities.”
Saffron cackled. “Father of the Year award over there.”
“He’ll make up for it. Despite his quirks, he’s an incredible father,” Taylor said warmly.
Since he found his fated mate in Crimson, Taylor had softened around the edges. He was still the serious, sassy tiger I always knew, but his love for Crimson and Ruby shone through his every word.
Saffron shuddered. “Man, I still can’t believe you let that personified rusty switchblade watch your kid. You should pick more responsible babysitters. Like me and Aurum.”
Taylor arched a brow. “You, maybe. I wouldn’t trust Aurum to babysit a pet rock.”
“Hey, he’s not that bad,” Saffron said, though he didn’t sound convinced, either.
After a pause, Taylor said, “You two have been arguing a lot recently. Is everything all right?”
“Yeah, it’s cool,” Saffron mumbled, grabbing Blueberry. “Yo, Taylor, can you make me one of these, too? But bigger? And make it look likemydragon instead?”
Taylor must’ve figured Saffron didn’t want to continue that conversation, so he nodded. “Sure. I expect full payment upfront. And since it’ll be three times bigger, expect to pay three times as much.”
“Aw, man,” Saffron muttered, sitting upright and looking around the room. “Where’s Cobalt’s wallet?”
The victim of the almost-theft responded: “In my pocket, where it belongs.”
I grinned excitedly at the sound of Cobalt’s voice. Tearing myself away from Taylor, I latched onto my mate instead. Hugging my friend was nice, but hugging Cobalt was special. He was huge and soft and warm and he smelled so freakinggood.
After getting my necessary hug out of the way, I noticed Cobalt’s fancy outfit. He wore a perfectly fitted blue suit that complemented his hair and eyes. His crisp white shirt and shoes gave him a mature, wealthy aura.
“Whoa.” I whistled, looking him up and down. “Hello, handsome.”
A light blush dusted Cobalt’s pale cheeks. He put his hands on my waist. “You look handsome as always, too.”
“Well?” Crimson said by way of greeting as he strode proudly into the room. “Did I outdo myself or what? Our dear older brother looks like he belongs on the cover of a magazine, doesn’t he?”
Taylor smirked. “Of course you put him in a suit.”
Crimson scoffed in mock offence, but he was clearly amused, too. “Get your mind out of the gutter, kitten.”
The two mates exchanged a mysterious, knowing look. I figured it was an inside joke or something.
