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“Or just a chick thing. Flora and Shay knew.”
A smile takes the place of his perplexed expression. “I’m happy you’re building new friendships.”
“Me too. I already have more friends here than I did in my entire lifetime when I lived in Toronto.” I scrunch my nose when he smiles wider. “What?”
“I like hearing you describe it as ‘when I lived in Toronto.’ Putting it in the past tense. No longer calling it ‘back home.’”
I hop off the counter stool and wrap my arms around him. “This is my home now.”
“I’m glad you feel comfortable in Fate’s Falls.”
“I do, I really love this town, but I was talking about you. Wherever you are, that’s my home.”
“And you are mine.” He dips down, brushing his lips over mine. The beginning of a kiss that could quickly become more—if the doorbell didn’t chime again.
Groaning, I ease backward from his arms. “Sorry, that has to be Ro. With everything happening in her life right now, I don’t want to leave her hanging, even though she didn’t let me know she’s coming.”
“I’d never want you to.” He presses a kiss to my forehead. “I’m glad she has you, and she’s always welcome here. Just don’t give her a key.”
“Um, never.” My body heats at the thought of all the things I wouldn’t want anyone to walk in on. So many perfectly dirty things. “I better get the door,” I say, when his nostrils flare and his tail swishes side to side. I don’t need to hear his thoughts to know he can smell my arousal, that he’d like nothing more than to make me come right now.
“Natalie.” A bullish huff of breath follows my name. “The door or our bed. Five seconds.”
Giggling, I take one more look at his big, beefy deliciousness, then hurry to the door. I don’t even try to tone down the love-drunk smile on my face as I grab the handle. Ro will take one look at me, give me a “get it, girl,” then turn around and leave us to our insatiable mate bond. I’ll make it up to her. I have all the time in the world with her now.
Only…it’s not Ro’s face I see when I open the door.
“Surprise!” my parents say in unison, complete with jazz hands.
I shriek at the sight of them—and not in a good way. My distress call brings Constantine thundering to the door, the sound of his hooves clapping against the hardwood practically echoing.
He pulls up just shy of barreling into me, his big arms wrapping around me protectively. Warmth flows through me from a place deeper than his physical embrace. Our bond. Everything will be okay.
What should I do?
“Introducing us would be good,” Dad says, giving me a big smile while openings his arms. “Hi, sweetie. We sure have missed you.”
Happy tears roll down my cheeks as I go from the arms of my mate to those of my father. Two men I love and trust. Both here in this strange, wonderful place where unbelievable things make perfect sense.
“Dad,” I say, hugging him tight. Then, “Did you hear my question?”
“I did. Only to break the ice, since you seemed pretty flustered. I’ll do my best to block your internal voice, but do your old dad a favor and try not to share any overly personal thoughts with your boyfriend while I’m around.”
Choking on a laugh, I ease out of the hug. “Okay, but he’s not my boyfriend. Constantine is my mate. My fated mate.”
Mom’s eyes open wide, then she takes her turn at attempting to hug me to death. “That’s wonderful, sweetheart. Your dad and I are so happy for you.”
“You are?” I ask as we break apart.
“Of course we are,” Dad says. “Finding your other half is the best kind of magic.” He wraps his arms around Mom, gazing at her as if he’s seeing her for the first time. “I knew your mom was my fated mate immediately.”
“We both knew,” Mom says, touching his face and drawing him in for a kiss.
Watching them share a kiss isn’t awkward at all. They’ve never hidden their affection for each other. Knowing what I know now about the mate bond, it’s a miracle I never had to witness more than G-rated shows of love.
“Love you,” Dad says to her, then turns to me again. “Now that you’ve found your special one, your mom and I will always know you’re happy, safe, and loved, whether we’re on the opposite side of the continent or parked in your driveway.”
I glance past them to the RV—the first one I’ve seen in Fate’s Falls, with good reason. “How did you find me? How did you find Fate’s Falls?”
