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Star winked at me and left the room, and I watched him go, using the counter to support my suddenly unsteady legs. What the hell was wrong with me?
I didn't know if I liked Dakota like that—or even if I could. He was human, after all—but I knew who else I liked. I'd liked Star and Ryk for a long time. It was part of the reason I'd convinced the rulers of Otherworld—the king and his two consorts, Artemus and Reece—that the three of us should be together in the human world.
I'd wanted a chance to turn my fantasies into reality, to live in the same house and care of them like I'd dreamed of. Until I'd first seen Dakota, I had intended for it to be just us three living together, but the human had changed my mind.
I had absolutely no plans of telling Star or Ryk about my feelings for them, mostly because I didn't know how they'd react, and I was too much of a coward to risk my friendship with them over that. I was happy with the way things were, and I'd be content if they stayed just like this.
"Oh, that smells wonderful," Dakota said, sticking his head around the doorway, and I smiled at him.
"Thank you. It's almost ready," I said as I checked the timer on the oven, and he fully stepped into the room.
"I'll help set the table," he said, and I nodded in acceptance.
As he stepped into the kitchen and started moving around, I was hyper-aware of each step he took. I could hear Star and Ryk talking in the living room, though their voices were too muffled to tell exactly what they were saying. I wondered if they were talking about Star's suspicion.
The way I was acting right now, it was easy to see why Star thought so. Considering the fact I'd skillfully managed to hide my feelings for them all these years, I was confident I would've been able to disguise any affection I had for Dakota if I'd realized it existed before Star. I was starting to realize he might've been right after all.
Being blindsided by your own feelings was not fun.
The oven beeped, and I shook my head, clearing my thoughts. No matter what, I couldn't tell him. He was human, after all, and while King Damien hadn't exactly told us we couldn’t date humans—he couldn't say that, considering both his mates had been human at one point—I didn't think it would be possible.
"Nico? Everything okay?" Dakota asked, and I realized I'd gotten lost in my thoughts again.
"Yeah, I'm okay. Could you please take the chicken to the table while I get the pie out?" I asked, and he nodded quickly before doing as I'd asked.
Opening the oven, I pulled out the pie pan, rolling my eyes at myself when I realized I'd forgotten to wear oven mitts. Again. It didn't hurt, but it would've been hell to explain if Dakota had seen me do that. I needed to be more careful. About a lot of things.
Four
Dakota
"Don't tell her, but I think that meal was better than what my mom makes," I said, patting my full stomach.
Ryk tilted his head at me, and I just knew he was going to say something that would surprise me. "We don't know your mom, Dakota. How would we tell her?"
I chuckled, while Star shook his head, a look of exasperation on his face. "It's just an expression, Rykie."
"Ooooh," he said slowly in realization, and I smiled. He was kind of adorable.
"I'm glad you liked it," Nico said, and I turned my gaze on him. He really had made a delicious dinner, and I wished I could eat more, but I feared my stomach would burst if I ate another bite. Maybe a walk outside...
"Hey, Ryk. Do you still want to take a stroll around the neighborhood?" I asked, and Ryk's eyes lit up.
"I'd love that! Are you sure you don't mind?" he asked, his baby blues bright with barely suppressed enthusiasm.
"Of course not. I wouldn't have suggested it if I did," I assured him, and he nodded rapidly before jumping to his feet.
"Are my clothes okay?" he asked, and I roamed my eyes over his form. He wore light blue jeans that clung to his legs like a second skin, and a black t-shirt that showed off his slim build. Both jeans and t-shirt were spattered with droplets of paint, but somehow that just made the outfit look better.
"They're perfect," I assured him, then cleared my throat when I realized how that sounded. Turning to the others, I asked, "Would you like to come along as well?"
"Nah. All that food's making me lazy," Star said, and Ryk scoffed.
"You don't need food, Star. You're always lazy."
"I can still whoop your ass while being lazy," Star challenged, and Ryk rolled his eyes at him.
"Maybe some other time? I'm near the end of the book I was reading, and I'd like to finish it before bed," Nico said with a sheepish smile, and I nodded.
