But I was hoping that could change now. Things were going to simmer down, and I was hoping with a little more training, I could start patrolling. The Order needed me—needed all the help they could get since so many had been lost in the battle with the Queen. I could become just as badass as Ivy and Ren and then I’d finally be able to fulfill my duty.
I’d finally be… useful. Worthy of those I called my friends and, most importantly, worthy of the legacy of my family. I could—
Fingers appeared directly in my line of vision. They snapped, causing me to jerk back in my seat. The fingers lowered to reveal Ivy staring at me.
My cheeks heated as I laughed softly. “Sorry. I spaced out. Were you saying something?”
“I was saying that I was about to strip naked and run outside.”
Ren’s green eyes practically twinkled. “I am so down for that.”
“Of course you are.” Grinning, she gestured at the menu. “Did you want dessert, Bri?”
Only Ivy called me Bri. Everyone else called me Brighton or Ms. Jussier. I hated the latter. It made me feel like I was three decades older and should be living in a home full of stray, un-neutered cats. And I was already twenty-eight and living with my mother. I didn’t need to feel worse than I already did.
“No, I’m good.” I’d already peeked at the menu. If they had cheesecake, I would’ve made room.
Ren glanced over the menu and then shook his head as he handed it back to Ivy. “So, you going to let Tink move in with you?”
I nearly choked on the sip of diet Coke. “What?”
Dropping the menu on the table, Ivy smiled as she clasped her hands together. “If Ren and I go on vacation, Tink’s going to need an adult in his life.”
I opened my mouth, but I had no words. I could not have heard them right. No way could I move Tink into my house—my mother’s house—because not only would Tink most likely destroy it, he was….
Well, Tink was Tink.
“And he really likes you,” Ren added. “He actually listens to you.”
My brows lowered. “That’s not true. Tink listens to no one. Not even his boyfriend. And why wouldn’t he stay with him?”
“Well, I made that suggestion, and according to Tink, he’s not ready for that kind of commitment,” Ren replied dryly.
“What? That’s not a commitment,” I reasoned. “It would only be temporary, right?”
“We tried explaining that to Tink.” Ivy rolled her eyes. “But you know how he is.”
I didn’t. I really didn’t. I lowered my voice so we weren’t overheard. “Why can’t he stay at Hotel Good Fae?” That was what Ivy called the compound the Summer fae lived in. “Theylovehim. Like near worship levels.”
“We suggested that, but he said, and I quote, he can’t ‘be himself’ around them. That their admiration is too much pressure on him.”
I stared at Ren. “You’re joking.”
“I wish.” He leaned back. “You know we can’t leave him alone. He’d burn down Ivy’s apartment.”
“He’ll spend all my money on shit from Amazon,” Ivy added as her phone rang. She picked up her bag. “Anyway, we’ll talk out the details later.”
We were so not talking out the details later. “But—”
“What’s up, Miles?” Ivy held her hand up, and I snapped my mouth shut. “What?” She glanced at Ren, who was alert and all eyes on Ivy. “Yeah, we’re nearby. We can check it out.” There was a pause. “I’ll update you in a few.”
Disconnecting the call, she pulled out her wallet and said, “Miles said Gerry didn’t show up for his shift and no one can get ahold of him,” she explained, and that wasn’t normal at all. Gerry was habitually on time. “He asked if we could swing by his place and check things out.”
“Can do,” Ren answered as Ivy dropped several bills on the table. “By the way, I’m pretty sure Tink is at your place now with Merle.”
“Wait. What?” I immediately forgot about Gerry not showing up for patrol.
“Yeah, he said something about wanting gardening tips or something bizarre.” Ivy shoved her wallet into her bag. “Honestly, I wasn’t really listening.”
