Eventually, Seth shifts against me. “How about we go meet Kai and Carter? Get some food and drinks. I bet they’re wondering where you are.”
I manage a small smile despite the tear tracks on my face. “That would be nice.”
“Then let’s go.” He helps me to my feet, and I take another glance around the office. The vintage typewriter. The burgundy armchair. The wall of photographs showing all the happy families I’ve helped find their homes.
This chapter of my life is ending.
I turn off the light and lock the door behind us.
The BBQ joint is already lively when we arrive, the parking lot packed with trucks and the air thick with the smell of smoked meat and mesquite. Country music drifts from inside, and strings of fairy lights cast a warm glow over the outdoor seating area.
Seth leads me through the restaurant to the back courtyard, where picnic tables are scattered beneath a canopy of more fairy lights. The effect is almost magical, transforming the simple space into something cozy and intimate.
I spot them immediately.
Kai and Carter are at a corner table, drinks already in hand, deep in conversation. But the moment Kai sees us approaching, his whole face lights up.
“There she is!” He’s on his feet in an instant, crossing the distance between us in three long strides. His arms wrap around me, lifting me clean off the ground, and I laugh despite myself.
“Miss me?” I ask when he finally sets me down.
“Every second.” He cups my face in his hands and kisses me, not deeply, but thoroughly, making sure I feel it. “You smell incredible, by the way. Did you roll around in a meadow or something?”
“Something.” I can’t help the blush that creeps up my cheeks.
Carter is there before I can say anything else, pulling me into his own embrace. His kiss is softer, more lingering, his hand sliding up to cup the back of my neck. “You okay?” he asks quietly, searching my face. “Seth messaged us that you were having a rough day.”
“Better now.”
He smiles that slow, warm grin that hypnotizes me. He guides me toward the table with his hand on the small of my back. We settle into our seats, and suddenly I’m surrounded by them. Kai is on my left, his thigh pressed against mine beneath the table, radiating warmth even through the fabric of our clothes. Carter is across from me, reaching over to take both my hands in his, our fingers interlacing in a way that feels natural now—inevitable, even. His legs tangle with mine beneath the table, ankles hooking together, a constant point of contact that sends little sparks up my spine.
“We’re starving,” Seth announces, standing at the table. “Have you two ordered anything?”
“Nope.” Kai takes a swig of his beer. “Figured we’d wait for you.”
“Good man. I’m getting us food.” Seth rises and heads toward the counter, leaving me alone with the other two.
The moment he’s gone, Kai leans in closer, his nose brushing against my neck. I feel him inhale deeply, and a shiver runs down my spine.
“Fuck,” he breathes against my skin. “You smell so good. But there’s something else under there…” He inhales again, and his breath tickles me. “Seth. You smell like him.”
My cheeks flush hotter. “Well, he did mark me today.”
Carter’s eyebrows shoot up, a grin spreading across his face. “Finally pulled his head out of his ass, did he?”
“He was very romantic about it, actually.”
“Seth? Romantic?” Kai pulls back, looking skeptical. “Are we talking about the same guy? Tall, grumpy, communicates primarily through grunts and scowls?”
I giggle, loving how relaxed they make me feel. “He took me to this canyon outside town. Laid out a blanket, gave me this whole speech about how the mountains represent you three watching over me…”
“Holy shit.” Carter squeezes my hands. “That’s adorable. I’m almost jealous.”
“You gave me poetry,” I remind him. “And Kai rented out an entire fairground.”
“True.” Carter doesn’t look particularly humble about it. “We are pretty amazing, though I need to lift my game, by the sounds of it.”
“So incredibly modest too,” I say.
