Lucy’s head snaps toward her. “Really?” She’s thrilled.
Mom, however, is horrified. “She needs to be here—”
“You’d be doing me a favor, actually,” Lark continues, still looking at Lucy. “I’d feel better knowing someone was looking after it. Plus, it’s not far, so we can all check in on you.”
Without looking, Lark reaches back and takes my hand in hers, giving it a gentle squeeze. The tightness in my chest loosens.
Mom looks like she wants to argue, but Dad rests a hand on her shoulder. “We will call her every day.”
“I’ll install a full security system before she moves in,” Daniel adds.
Lark nods. “Of course, Daniel. Silas told me you’re in the security business. I’m sure you’ll want to install the highest quality tech.”
Daniel looks at her for a long moment. Then his mouth tilts with something that might be the beginning of a smile.
Lucy jumps in before Mom can argue again. “So,” she says, looking between Graham and Saint. “When are the rest of you planning to make it official?”
Saint goes still. Graham on the other hand, smiles easily. “Whenever Lark is ready,” he says. “I’m in no rush. Good things are worth waiting for.”
I don’t miss the way Lark’s gaze flicks toward Saint. He's uncertain. I'm not. Through the bond I can feel what she feels when she looks at him. Steady. Warm. Patient. She's not waiting for him to be ready. She already knows he is hers. It won't be long.
Eventually I push back from the table. “We should get going.”
Mom protests, but it’s half-hearted. “Family dinner next Saturday?”
Graham kisses her cheek. “We can’t, Karen. The University is hosting a fundraiser.”
Lark tucks her hand into his. “Graham is being recognized for his research.”
Graham beams down at her.
“Always such a smart boy,” my mother says, patting Graham’s cheek. Then she kisses Saint’s cheek before turning to pull me and then Lark into tight hugs.
“You two enjoy these days. The first weeks after a bond are truly special.”
Hugs are shared by everyone else, along with promises to visit soon.
“I’ll text you the codes,” Lark says to a beaming Lucy. “Move in whenever you’re ready.”
“Thank you!”
As we walk back to our house, Saint chuckles. “Bold move, princess. I thought Karen’s head would explode when you offered Lucy your apartment.”
Lark shrugs. “Lucy’s a grown woman.”
Graham wraps his arm around Lark’s shoulders. “I’m just glad to know you don’t plan to move back.”
She looks up at him. “To the apartment?”
He nods. “Bonding with Silas makes it more official, but we never discussed if your move to our house was permanent. This means you aren’t leaving.”
Lark rolls her eyes at him. “Of course I’m not leaving. I just had the mirrors installed and Saint hasn’t even seen them yet.”
“Mirrors?” Saint asks. “Do I want to know?”
He looks between Graham and me. Graham is smiling. I'm smiling.
“Oh, you definitely want to know,” I say.
