This future was so much better than anything I’d imagined for myself.
And I was very grateful fate had better plans for me than I did.
I leaned against Brandon’s shoulder, felt the warmth and strength of him, and smiled. He was so very lovely, my Brandon.
He dropped a kiss on my hair before going back to typing. Even such a simple gesture of affection made me absurdly happy.
“All right, emailed. Hopefully we can have that date. Do you want to do tuxes or suits?”
“Suits.” I couldn’t imagine skinnying into a tux. That felt too fancy for me.
“We’ll probably need to buy suits, then. Really, we should have one in the closet anyway, just in case.”
“It’s not a bad thought, cher.”
The sliding door opened and Lachlan stepped out. He slid it closed behind him but paused, looking us over. “Interrupting something, am I?”
“Not so much.” Brandon waved him closer. “What’s up? How’s Seiji?”
“That poor man’s puggled.”
“I’m sorry?” Scottish slang was just indecipherable to me sometimes. I imagined American phrases for them were just as bad.
“Pure done in?” he offered.
“That one translated better. So he’s worn out, eh? Do you think he’ll be recovered by tomorrow?”
Lachlan shook his head immediately. “No chance, mate. Even if he’s awake by then, he shouldn’t be working.”
“He did an insane amount of work today. I think he’s due a day of rest.” Practically, I added, “I vote we all take a day of rest.”
“I’m all for it.” Brandon’s voice did hint at fatigue.
But then, we’d all worked a full twelve-hour day, so no wonder we were all feeling tired. A day of rest would do us good.
“Lachlan, looks like we’ll be staying here another two or three weeks, clearing out the ghosts as much as we can. I’ve got a few choice spots I need Seiji to clear out for me, as it’ll be a breeze for him and work for me. But afterward…”
“You don’t need us,” Lachlan finished. “Well, that’s fine. Knowing how busy Seiji is, we’ll like as not be called to some other emergency.”
Nice segue into the nosy questions I was dying to ask. “So you’re sticking with him, then?”
“Much as I can. Might get pulled away by a job, but…” He ruffled a hand through his hair. His braid hadn’t lasted long. “Brandon. You said before, Seiji should have an anchor. After today, I agree with you.”
Ohhh, I knew that look well. The Havilis got it all the time. Protective instincts were running at high speeds. It was like if determination tangoed with pure affection. Hard to describe in a word but I knew it well.
Seiji just got an anchor whether he wanted one or not.
Oh, I was sure Lachlan wasn’t going to jump in feet first—he was the type to think important things over, but he also had no trouble forging ahead when he found the right path. He was strapping on boots right now, if his face was anything to go by.
Brandon sat up a little, expression intent. “You sure, Lachlan?”
“He’s one of the best men I’ve ever met. I don’t have a clue whether we’ll work as a couple in the long run, but I want to try being his anchor for a spell. Try it out for both of us.” Nose wrinkling up in aggravation, he grumbled, “And frankly, the idea of him out on a job alone makes me fair fleggit.”
I translated fleggit to something like giving him the willies and moved on with the conversation. “It’s a reasonable feeling. He scared even me for a second.”
Lachlan pulled up a chair, elbows on his knees, eyes intent on Brandon. “So I’ve come to ask you to give me some pointers.”
“I’ll be happy to.”
