Romily and I exchange another look. We’re both glad they worked that out. It would be bad for Darcy to lose his best friend because of jealousy like that, and Bellamy really does deserve better than Darcy settling for him. Though I don't know why Darcy wouldn’t give him a chance even if he wasn’t a fated mate. He and Bellamy have great chemistry as friends. I imagine that extends to the bedroom too.
“What are you three doing?” Darcy demands from the entrance to the living room.
I glance between him and Bellamy. “Are you done with your heart to heart?” I ask, striding over to them and offering him my hand. “Did you hug? It’s really important to hug it out when you’ve had an emotional conversation if you’re not touch-averse.”
“No, we didn’t hug,” Darcy grunts, shaking his head as he reaches for my hand.
I immediately widen my arms, encompassing them both. “No time like the present. I bet a group hug would feel really good.”
Romily and Fox come up and bracket their adopted son, silently encouraging a group hug.
I get an arm around Darcy and push him toward Bellamy, and then we’re all grouped together in a warm, squeezy hug, and it really does feel like the best thing after such an intense conversation.
“Of course they were eavesdropping,” Bellamy complains, pressing his head into my shoulder since it’s conveniently located.
“You’re the ones who had a conversation right next to the vent between rooms,” I point out. It’s not our fault they did that.
“Next time I will make sure to check for vents,” Bellamy sighs.
“You could’ve had that conversation in here, and then we could have supported you from the start,” I say, and Romily sighs loudly with a big ol’ happy smile.
He and I really vibe. I’m glad we’re family now. “Next week, we’re going to go spend a couple days on my family’s farm. I’d love it if you all came with. I think my parents would love to meet you.”
Romily nods enthusiastically.
“Sweet. I can’t wait for you all to meet them. You’re going to love my mom’s cherry pie.”
32
I stare up at the sky scraper where Bellamy’s new office is, watching the sunrise glint off the upper windows. Across the courtyard is the matching building where Santanos works.
“It’s a little weird that there’s a false dichotomy enforced that separates the Avatars like this,” I comment, pulling my attention back to the men sitting on the benches outside with me.
Bellamy glances up with a grimace. “It keeps the two companies separated. It’s not a false dichotomy for the minions.”
“Where is Darcy going to work from? Where are his minions supposed to gather?” I ask, waving around the space. There’s no room for a third skyscraper, so he’s probably not going to be working in these office spaces. “Although, seeing Darcy in an office space would be off-putting, I think,” I add, considering the imagery of it.
Darcy makes a noise of ultimate disgust. “I would never. If I have minions, they’re going to have to figure out how to work without an office space.”
“You have minions. Sterling’s one of your minions,” Bellamy informs us. “They’re ghost hunters, or something.”
Darcy stares at him for about three seconds before his wicked grin makes another appearance. “You’re telling me that Jethro Jones and Sterling are officially my minions?”
Bellamy sighs heavily, nodding. “They’re here somewhere in the city. They came to see you, but you’d disappeared and haven’t been available until now.”
“I was busy,” Darcy shrugs, kicking his feet. “You should call them over. It’s been a minute since I’ve seen your little cousin.”
Bellamy draws out his phone, shooting off a text message, then nods. “I’ve let them know where we’re going and how long we’ll be there. I also sent my cousin your phone number so he can bug you about it instead of using me as an intermediary.”
“Bellamy, Darcy.”
I turn to look behind us, spotting Santanos with his guards and mate.
Darcy hops to his feet, turning to face the people we’ve been waiting on.
We came here to meet with Santanos to discuss The Hollow and how to deal with it, but the Avatars wanted to meet on neutral ground, and since Darcy doesn’t have an office space, we’re standing on the sidewalk. Since this information seems to be confidential at the least, we’re leaving from here to go to a place where we can’t be overheard.
Why did I come? I’ve asked myself this a couple of times, but the answer really is, because Darcy invited me along and for no other reason. I like spending time with him, so here I am, spending time with him even if what we’re doing is a saving-the-world strategy meeting.
