“Wait, don’t go yet,” Wren says and my heart flutters. He tips his head toward the drink table and I follow him. “You don’t have to leave yet if you don’t want to. We’re gonna clean up and watch a movie. You’re welcome to stay.”
“I shouldn’t.”
“Why not?”
I can’t find a reason. We’re closed on Sundays and I can stay. There’s no real excuse other than nerves and anxiety.
“Okay, I’ll stay.”
My skies. The smile. It’ll fuel me for days.
“Thank you.” He bounces and turns on his heel. “It won’t take long to clean up with all of us helping.”
And he’s right. With the six of us, the parking lot is clean in no time. We pile into the living room. I don’t want to break the couch, adding my weight with two of the others and sit on the floor, on the same side as Wren sits on the couch. His leg touches my shoulder for a second before he moves it and apologizes. How do I tell him I don’t mind his touch? I think about it the entire time the movie plays.
13
WREN
Sparkle grins at me from the opposite side of the couch. Talon is passed out on the floor with his head back against the couch. I want to run my fingers through his hair. I bet it would be soft, but I don’t dare violate his trust like that. Beau fell asleep against Gabe’s shoulder. I think it’s just me and Sparkle awake and he knows why I don’t want to be awake right now.
“Still dreaming of the Winter Court and that Fae guy?” Sparkle whispers as the movie plays on. No one’s watching it, but it’s good background noise.
“Unfortunately.” I drop my head to the back of the couch. “I still don’t understand why he waited until now.”
“You don’t live with Lark anymore.” Sparkle shrugs. “Makes sense. Now you’re alone, he can bother you more.”
“Hadn’t thought of it like that.” Do I tell him I’ve been feeling like I’m being watched at the bakery?
“I wish you’d let Pike take care of it.” Sparkle sighs and pulls his feet up on the couch.
“I don’t mind going,” Talon leans over to look at me.
I sigh and shake my head. “I just hate the idea of someone else dealing with my bullshit.”
“I offered. We’re off tomorrow. I don’t mind?—”
Wren holds up his hand. “I certainly don’t want you taking your one day off to deal with this.”
“I think you forget that I love the bakery and it doesn’t feel like work to me. Sundays are just weird, no work days that I have to try and figure out how to fill. So this would be doing me a favor.” Talon grins as if he won me over.
“I could help you fill your Sundays,” Sparkle says, and I snort at how obvious he’s being.
Talon shakes his head. “I usually end up shifting.”
“I can shift.” Sparkle bats his lashes and bites his bottom lip.
Oh Sparkle.
Talon takes a breath and blows it out as if he’s preparing himself for something. “Sparkle, you’re a nice guy, but I have my sights set on someone else.” He glances my way for two seconds before he goes bright red and pushes to his feet.
Sparkle grabs my hand. “Would those sights be set on dear Wren?”
“Obviously,” Beau says softly.
Gabe pokes Beau. “Shhh. We’re supposed to be eavesdropping.”
“I should go,” Talon says.
