Desire prickled over my skin.
Ricky grinned at her and leaned forward. “We’re having tacos and burritos every single night.”
Evie snorted. “I’m going to purchase bat shit from the local farm and fertilize my flowers.”
The veins in Ricky’s arms bulged. Evie’s Ficus trees kept growing.
“I’m going to buy the worst piece of shit beater I can find and tote you around in it,” Ricky promised.
“Who gives a shit. A passenger princess is still a princess no matter what car she’s in.”
Ricky cracked a laugh. “I’m going to have all the toddlers potty train in our bathroom.”
Evie’s eyes narrowed. “Dirty pool,” she accused. “I’m going to plant the thorniest roses I can find and cross breed one of them to be poisonous.” Her smile widened. “And not tell you which one it is.”
Ricky’s hand tilted about twenty degrees the wrong way.
Everyone went nuts. Shouts of encouragement, shit talking, and insults flew every which way. A wild, delighted laugh broke from my mate.
“If I win, a round for the entire bar on me!” she shouted.
The entire bar went nuts this time. An even larger crowd gathered, this time fae mixed in with the bunch.
I wished every single day could be like this for her. Maybe minus the drunk part. I’d never seen Evie so relaxed and free. She was stunning, the most beautiful thing I’d ever seen.
“Well shit,” Ricky rasped, “a free round makes me want to lose.”
“You’re losing already!” someone shouted.
It was true. Ricky slipped another twenty degrees. Those plants grew another few inches and lost a few inches, back and forth as Evie and Ricky struggled.
But there was a sparkle in Evie’s eyes.
Was my mate playing him? A slow grin spread over my face. Her muscles were bulging but not as much as they should be.
Just how much extra energy and strength were those plants providing her? The lights flickered above us.
“Ricky?” Evie said.
“Hmm?”
“Do you prefer bat or cow shit?”
Ricky’s brow furrowed for a second until he made the same realization I had.
He opened his mouth just as Evie cackled and slammed his hand down to the table’s surface.
The bar went wild. Shifters shouted with glee, money changed hands, and Hope was screaming with laughter. She reached over and ruffled Evie’s hair.
Ricky sat back in his chair and let out a good-natured laugh. “Well shit, plant lady. Good match.” He reached over the table and stuck his hand out. Evie shook it.
“Rematch one day?” she asked.
He nodded. “You bet your ass.”
Ricky slapped the table and rose. Our eyes locked. The shifter went pale. “Erm. Umm.”
I walked over and clamped his shoulder with my hand. “Thank you,” I said quietly. “That’s the most fun I’ve ever seen Evie have.”
