I just wish Aunt Nelle could be here tomorrow.
But maybe she, wherever she is, will be here in spirit.
“I guess I’m not going back to work at the boutique,” I say.
I told Tamara that I was moving out. She was shocked that I’d moved in with a guy so fast. We’ve been friends since high school. But I can’t exactly tell her everything. I’ll figure out what I can tell her later. Her boyfriend is really touchy-feely with me and it’s gonna be a while of prepping Ty before I can introduce them. She’s going to ask him to move in with her, so she’s okay about me leaving, as long as I promise to see her once a month for girls’ night out.
I feel bad that I can’t invite Dad or Leo to the wedding. Leo won’t care much. He’s twenty years old and busy with school out of town. Dad isn’t our favorite person right now with all the crap he’s put Mom through. He’s in for a rude awakening when she leaves town. She’s already sold the house. It sold after just two days on the market. She’s filed for a divorce, too.
“Why don’t you open a dance school? There are dozens of little girls in our pack who might like to be ballerinas,” Ty suggests.
My eyes light up.
Whoa.
“That’s an idea,” I say.
Wow. I never thought my dream of having a dance studio would turn into anything. My mind is racing with the possibilities.
“Lots of time to figure all that out,” he says and kisses my hand.
I haven’t seen my sister, but I have talked to her on the phone twice. Once, when she called after I found out she took off from Mason and he brought her back. He made her phone me to tell me she was okay. She was so grumpy about it. I tried to reassure her that I’m happy, that she can be happy. She burst into tears on the phone and he took the phone off her.
“Are you being good to her?” I demanded.
“I am, Ivy,” Mason said, sounding exhausted.
“I know Amelia is exhausting, Mason, and you’ve got your work cut out for you but once she falls for you, I bet you any money you’ll be the happiest guy around.”
Ty chuckled at that. “Second happiest,” he corrected. “Say bye to Mason.”
I smiled big. “Purr for her, Mason. Bye Mason!” I ended the call.
The second time, I called to check in and after we talked about all the wedding stuff, all she did was complain about Mason being bossy. It’s kind of funny because she’s the bossiest person around. I would love to be a fly on the wall. I tell her that and she complains that he ends arguments with orgasms. But the way she complains, I could swear she’s not really against it.
And she will be here for me tomorrow. As my maid of honor.
I can’t believe I’m getting “mainstream” married, as the pack calls it, before my bridezilla sister.
I don’t know what happened or how it happened (but am looking forward to the gossip), but her engagement to Rick was broken. He obviously knows she won’t be at the church tomorrow.
Yes. Tomorrow. I’m marrying Tyson on Amelia’s planned wedding day. She worked with Mom to have all the flowers, church décor (tulle, ribbons, twinkle lights), and party favors sent here. Mom made the arrangements with Joel and Jase who drove a truck filled with the stuff here yesterday. Tonight, me, Bailey, Cat, Mom, and Amelia will go through it together.
Riley is not doing so well. Apparently he’s off the rails with rage and is trying to hunt down his wayward mate. He can’t seem to catch her scent. He thinks she’s done something to disguise it. And he’s hunting her down the non-shifter way. With the help of a private eye shifter.
The pack’s minds are all blown over the whole thing.
I have no idea what’ll happen when he finds her.
***
“Your mom said you were most likely conceived here. Right here, likely,” I smooth my hand over the rock.
It’s gorgeous in here. Everything sparkles. There’s light but privacy, and the wall of trickling water in front of us just adds to the appeal of the cavernous space.
“Mm hm,” he says, his hand landing on mine. “Care to see if lightning strikes again? If we can make the next generation’s super alpha right here on this rock?”
I bite my lip.
His lips meet mine. He lays me back and unties the side of my string bikini bottoms. His hips meet mine. Our hearts beat together against each other’s bodies, and then he unties the tie behind my neck and my halter bikini top falls as he fills me. As he knots me. Our eyes are connected, then our lips, and I know for sure that so are our hearts.