“Kirk?” Matt stopped mid-motion, the crate still in his hands. He placed it on the counter and gripped Kirk’s arm, steadying him.
Kirk blinked, trying to focus on his brother’s words while every sense in his body was tuned toward the front of the restaurant. “I… er...”
“Oh.” Matt took a step back, his expression shifting from confusion to understanding. “Oh. You found her!”
Kirk ran his hand through his hair again as he fought to steady his nerves. “Is it really that obvious?”
Matt chuckled, his voice filled with affection. “To one who knows, yeah, it’s literally written all over your face.”
“Okay. You got me.” Kirk held out his hands. “I was over at Win’s place, and Isla pulled up… It was like…”
“Getting hit by a truck?” Matt asked.
“Yeah.” Kirk nodded. “Only it didn’t kill me. It made me feel more alive.”
“I know that feeling,” Matt said. “Tell me you talked to her.”
“I did,” Kirk said. “And she tried my chili chocolate. And she liked it. So did her son.”
Matt’s eyes widened with surprise. “She has a son?” A slow smile spread across his face. “Even better!”
The invisible thread pulled tighter, and Kirk’s breath caught in his throat. “She’s so close.”
“That’s great,” Matt replied, his voice warm with reassurance. “Go find her and bring her to the restaurant for dinner. I’ll cook her something that will blow her mind.”
“Matt...” Kirk began, uncertainty making his voice waver.
“Go.” Matt was already heading for the walk-in fridge. “And I’ll use your chilies. So she’ll be doubly impressed.”
As Matt disappeared into the fridge, Kirk took a moment to compose himself. His bear paced restlessly within, eager and impatient. Kirk smoothed down his flannel shirt and ran a hand through his hair one last time before heading through the kitchen toward the dining area.
All the while, he could sense her getting closer, the connection between them strengthening with each passing second.
I don’t think we’re going to have to go find her,his bear said.She’s coming here.
Kirk hesitated in the doorway between the kitchen and the dining room, not sure what to do. The restaurant was quiet, with only a few afternoon customers lingering over coffee and dessert. Rachel was behind the bar, putting freshly washed glasses away.
Through the large front windows, Kirk saw a car slow down and then stop just along the street from the restaurant. His heart skipped a beat as he recognized the vehicle from the Spice & Honey Shack.
They climbed out of the car, Isla’s blonde hair catching the late afternoon sunlight, Percy bouncing excitedly beside her. Kirk’s breath caught in his throat as he watched them cross thesidewalk, possibly heading for the pharmacy a couple of doors down.
Not to the restaurant.
Go say hi, invite them in,his bear said.
On my way.But his hands were clammy, and as he spotted his reflection in the glass, he froze. He looked wild, untamed, and a little unhinged.
He forced himself to stand still, to breathe, to appear normal, even as every cell in his body screamed for him to rush forward and claim his mate.
But then fate stepped in.
“Look, it’s the chili man!” Percy’s face lit up with recognition as he pointed directly at Kirk through the restaurant window.
Kirk raised his hand and smiled.
“Hi!” Percy dashed toward the door.
“Percy, slow down.” Isla reached for the boy’s hand, but Percy slipped away, his small face alight with excitement.
