Page 66 of Bear and Book

For the first time, instead of the instinct to run, I felt something else. Something that scared me just as much, but in a different way.

“I want to try,” I said, the words trembling out of me. “I don’t know what it’ll look like, or how I’ll handle it, but I don’t want to pull away anymore. I want to try. With you.”

Leo’s answering smile was so bright, so tender, I thought it might undo me. He leaned down and pressed his forehead against mine, his breath warm as he whispered, “That’s all I’ve ever wanted to hear.”

Chapter 19

Leo

When Julian and Rafael invited me to their backyard barbecue, I hadn’t been surprised.

Bears were like that, any excuse to fire up a grill, pile plates high with food, and laugh until someone fell out of a chair.

What did surprise me was how quickly Rafael leaned over the counter at Bear and Bun earlier that week, eyebrows raised, and said, “And don’t you dare show up without Elias.”

I’d opened my mouth to protest.

Truth be told, Elias didn’t exactly do social gatherings, especially the kind where bear shifters were guaranteed to be loud, nosy, and affectionate to the point of suffocation.

But Rafael just smirked and shoved a tray of croissants in front of me like the matter was settled.

So here I was on Saturday afternoon, walking up Julian and Rafael’s stone path with Elias at my side. My mate looked like he’d rather face a firing squad.

His shoulders were tense, his hands jammed into the pockets of his dark jacket despite the lingering summer heat.

“You’re scowling,” I said gently.

“I’m not scowling,” Elias muttered.

I grinned. “You’re absolutely scowling. Don’t worry, they’re gonna love you.”

“That’s what I’m worried about,” Elias shot back, though his lips twitched like he wanted to smile.

Before I could answer, the back gate banged open and Julian’s voice boomed across the yard. “There’s my favorite bakery boy! And ohhh, look at this! He brought the mysterious bookman at last!”

Elias froze. I nudged him forward, giving his hand a quick squeeze before letting go.

“Come on. If we don’t move, Julian’s going to drag us in bodily,” I told him.

Sure enough, Julian was already striding across the lawn, his grin wolfish. He swept me into a one-armed hug, then turned his attention on Elias.

“And you must be the Elias I’ve heard so much about,” Julian said, sticking out a paw of a hand.

Elias eyed it like it might bite him, but after a pause, he shook it. “Elias.”

“Good grip,” Julian approved. “Don’t let Leo fool you, he’s been grinning like a lovesick cub for months. We’ve been dying to meet you.”

Elias went pink instantly.

I groaned. “Julian,” I began.

But it was too late. Rafael appeared behind him, wiping his hands on a towel and giving Elias the kind of warm, easy smile that could melt glaciers.

“Ignore him. Julian lives to embarrass people. We’re just glad you’re here,” Rafael said.

And then, before Elias could retreat, Rafael slid an arm through his and steered him toward the patio like he’d been part of the family for years.

The yard was already buzzing. Cassian lounged in a chair with a beer in hand, sunglasses perched on his nose despite the fact the sun was dipping low.