Her eyes lit with surprise. She waved the joint at us. “Your mom is a godsdamned genius. Do you know how much of this we have to smoke to even get a buzz?”
Moira grinned. “A lot.”
Sirena laughed. “Your mom is already a rich woman, but this on top of her booze?”
The siren shook her head. “Icon status.”
Moira pulled out a Zippo and lit the joint. The sharp scent of the herb filled the air. I’d never been around drugs. My human friends in high school used illegal substances, but I was never interested. Why would I be if they never worked?
Mom reappeared in a flash, standing next to?—
I got to my feet and launched myself at Rowan. He caught me with a sharp laugh, large hands spanning the backs of my thighs.
“Hi,” he murmured against my neck.
“Hey.”
Moira let out a wolf whistle.
He turned to Mom. “Caelan can’t see me here,” he said quietly. “I’m no longer allowed in his territory.”
Mom shook her head in disgust. “A small glamour will tweak your appearance.” She waved her hand and a shimmer of magic appeared around Rowan. I glanced at Mom quizzically when I couldn’t see a difference.
“Only Caelan and his people will see something else. The spell won’t last longer than a few hours.” Her eyes glittered with amusement. “When he sees you, he will see a young blond man. Just think. If you and Evie make out, Caelan will think she’s dumped you too.”
Mom laughed and walked away, going over to join Sirena and Moira.
Rowan’s hands were right under my rear end, cupping the backs of my thighs. “Hey,” I said again, quieter this time.
His hazel eyes crinkled at the edges. “Missed you.”
Our gazes locked. “I missed you, too.”
He pressed a soft kiss to my lips, gentle and tender. I resisted the urge to tackle him to the ground. “Should we join them?”
I wanted to say no, to ask him to take me home so we could be alone. I ran my fingers up his neck and let them tangle in his hair. “Moira has a joint. Mom’s newest experiment.”
Rowan’s eyes lit with a ring of gold at my touch. His surprised laugh warmed me from the inside. “Does it work?” Was his voice a touch rougher?
I lifted my shoulder in a shrug. “We’re about to find out.”
His eyes narrowed. “And you?”
“I grew up knowing they wouldn’t work on me, so I was never into them.”
“Never worked on me.” He hitched me higher and walked me over to where everyone was sitting.
Instead of letting me go when he sat, he turned me and settled me in between his legs. His arms were wrapped around my waist. I leaned against his chest and when I had settled into his warmth, I realized Rowan made me feel safe,reallysafe. I never had to worry about what I said or did, or what I looked like. I didn’t have to fear what my future children might become or worry whether they’d become monsters. They wouldn’t. Not if they were made with love. The thought made something tight uncurl in my chest.
Unbidden tears sprang to my eyes.
Rowan leaned forward. “You okay?” he whispered in my ear.
I nodded, not trusting myself to turn around.
Mom’s eyes settled on me. A soft smile curved her lips at the way Rowan held me, the way he was unconcerned with what other people might think. He fit in so well with everyone and was well liked.
Why couldn’t I take that final step?
