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“Obsidian, stop,” Camila manages to say through fits of laughter. All the while, I’m a fumbling mess pulling out fresh bedding.

She scoops him up and lets him gracefully land back on the floor. He prances over to me and circles my legs.

I can’t help it—I jump up onto the bed with a yelp.

“Oh my god.” Camila is almost in tears from laughing. “Okay, time-out for you.”

She leads him into the en-suite bathroom and shuts the door.

I swear I let out more than a sigh of relief as I flop flat onto the bed.

Camila saunters over, cheeks pink and eyes bright.

Obsidian is all forgotten about as I take in her glow, and something punches my heart.

“Come here,” I murmur, and she does. Without hesitation, she lies next to me with her head on my chest. I guide her gaze up to me with a finger under her chin. She’s still smiling. “Never stop smiling like that.”

Her lips slacken only slightly as she clears her throat, unfolding herself from me and standing up.

“I should probably start getting ready,” she says, playing with the hem of my t-shirt.

I fold my arms behind my head. “No need. Your hair and make-up ladies should be here any second.”

Her eyes widen. “My what?”

I smirk at her surprised expression. She thought she was getting away with no princess treatment?

Suddenly, a black furball jumps on my chest, his paws pressing into it one after another, the pads hard and his claws sharp.

“Camila, get him off me, please!”

She bursts into fits of laughter again. “How did you get out, Sid?”

“Please, he’s hitting me! He’s going to scratch me!”

“He’s not! He’s just baking cookies,” she giggles.

“What the fuck?” I cry.

“He likes you,” she coos, taking him off me.

Does he fuck.

“He was punching me!”

I’m not about to fight with a cat.

“You’re so dramatic.” She rolls her eyes, Obsidian jumping out of her arms. He scratches at the door, and she opens it for him.

“He’s an outdoor cat. I’m not going to keep him inside, but I hope he can find his way back.” A worry washes her face, and she bites her lip as she watches Obsidian leave. “I think that’s enough stress for you for one night,” she comments, mouth kicking up into a smile again.

“You have no idea.”

Chapter 34

Xander

The glow of purple lights shines on the white marble walls of the ballroom in the office building. Circular tables dressed in white cloth, with bouquets of cherry blossom sitting in the middle, surround most of the ballroom, leaving a small space for guests to mingle in the middle. Most of whom are dressed in black, lavish ballgowns and fancy suits. All but one that sticks out like a sore thumb in her bright red dress, brown hair neatly slicked back into a high bun, currently flitting around the tables, taking attendance of the guests. She’s supposed to be in her office clothing, but over the years she insisted on wearing a dress. Jacques and I gave up arguing over it with her. She’s living out some fantasy that she’s my date, which I’m sure my Angel will be none too pleased about.