Clearly, he doesn’t like the nicknames I came up with. Well, too bad. That’s the best I can do for now.
“I’m just getting started.” He dips his chin and looks into my eyes. “Wait until you see the surprises I have lined up for you, Ember.”
I blink. Ember. Is that a nickname? A warmth fills me. I quite like it.
Our gazes meet and hold. The air between us heats. My lips part. Our shared kiss from earlier is still fresh in my mind.
When his nostrils flare, I realize, he feels this pull between us again.
"I knew when you fell it’d be so bad, you wouldn’t see anything but the woman you gave your heart to.”
Instantly, both James and I pull back.
I look away, breaking the connection between us, then tuck a strand of hair behind my ear.
“It’s…uh…it’s not like that,” I stutter out.
A part of me absently notices that I’ve lost another hair tie.
"What do you mean?" Phe looks between us again. Then pales. "You’re not— Are you pregnant?"
"She’s not," James interrupts her. "Harper is simply getting used to the idea that we’re meant to be together. It’s my fault, really. I’ve been trying so hard not to show the rest of the team in the kitchen that I have feelings for her. That I’ve been overtly standoffish with her. And I’ve worked her harder than anyone else. So, when I finally told her the true state of my heart, she found it difficult to accept it. And then I sprang my proposal on her. It’s been a lot."
"But—" I begin.
He takes both of my hands in his. "It’s been a long day. And it’s going to be a busy dinner service. I’m glad I got to see you between services. Especially since, I won’t be able to catch up with you until after dinner. An entire six hours without you. How am I going to last?”
Umm, he’s laying it on thick. I resist the urge to roll my eyes and pat his cheek. “I’m sure you’ll find a way, cupcake.”
I would've expected The Ice Commander to tell me off about the nicknames I’m coming up with, but all he does is frown. There’s no other reaction from him. I’m impressed.
“When are you two moving in together?” Phe asks brightly.
"We haven’t—" I begin.
"—discussed it yet." James completes my sentence. "But we’re getting married soon, so it won't be too much of an issue."
I nudge him with my elbow. Hard. Enough that he stills.
"Of course, we'll need to decide together." He looks down at me with a fond expression.
And I'm almost fooled, but I resist. Because this cad? He knows exactly how to fool his sister.
But I’ve worked closely with him long enough to know he can turn on the charm when he wants to get his way. And that is precisely what he’s doing now.
He’s trying to steamroll me with his charisma. He’s in for a surprise if he thinks I’m going to agree with everything he says.
"I’m old-fashioned that way. I don’t think we should live together until we get married.” I flutter my eyelashes at him.
He blinks.
Clearly, not thinking I’ll have an opinion contrary to his.
But then he recovers. "Of course. That’s understandable. I’m sorry if I took you for granted."
"You apologized to her." Phoenix turns to me. "Do you know how many times I’ve heard my I-am-always-right, older brother apologize to anyone?" She throws up her hands. "It’s in the low single digits."
"Yeah.” Feeling dazed, I rub at my temple.
