"That sounds perfect." Inside her, Reyna perked up at the mention of food. The fox's enthusiasm made Harper smile.
"It's a date then." The smile in Nathan's voice was evident. "I can't wait to hear about everything - and to see you."
Heat bloomed in Harper's cheeks at the tender note in his voice. "Me too. Both telling you everything and seeing you."
He chuckled, his voice warm in her ear. "Great! Then it's settled. I'll pick you up at one."
As Harper ended the call, a delightful shiver of excitement coursed through her body. Her heart raced at the prospect of seeing Nathan again, his warm brown eyes and gentle smile already vivid in her mind.
But beneath the surface bubbled a far more potent thrill. The revelation about vampires burned inside her, a secret yearning to be shared. Harper's lips curved into a mischievous grin as she pictured Nathan's possible reactions - his eyes widening in disbelief, jaw dropping in shock, or perhaps a burst of nervous laughter.
What's more, Reyna was busily chasing her tail, yipping "Mate! Mate!", making her laugh.
The morning seemed to crawl by after that, with Harper frequently checking the clock. When 1 o'clock finally rolled around, she practically bounced out of her chair, grabbing her purse and heading for the door.
Nathan was waiting outside in his car, a warm smile lighting up his face as Harper approached. As Harper slid into the passenger seat, the familiar scent of Nathan's cologne washed over her, a subtle blend of cedar and citrus that made her heart race. She inhaled deeply, savoring the aroma that had become synonymous with his presence.
Harper's heart fluttered as Nathan leaned across the center console. His warm brown eyes met hers for a brief moment before he closed the distance between them. His lips brushed against hers in a tender kiss that sent tingles down her spine. The subtle scent of his cologne enveloped her, making her head spin with delight.
Perfect mate,Reyna sighed contentedly within her.
The kiss was sweet and gentle, full of promise. When Nathan pulled back, his smile made her stomach do little flips. Heat bloomed in Harper's cheeks as she touched her fingers to her tingling lips.
"Good afternoon," Nathan told her, reaching for her hand, taking it in a warm clasp. "Ready for some delicious Mexican food?"
"Tacos," she nodded. "Bring it on!"
As they drove, Harper asked Nathan about his morning, and the children who came to see Jill. She carefully avoided any mention of the meeting - she wanted to wait until they were seated and could talk more privately.
The drive was short, and soon they were pulling up in front of a charming brick building with red, green, and white awnings over the carved wooden double doors. The smell of meat and spices wafted through the air as they stepped out of the car.
"Wow," Harper breathed, taking in the sight. "This is perfect."
"Yeah, but we won't be able to sit outside," he said, disappointment on his face, as he gestured to the crowded patio. "I guess I should have expected that, on a nice Sunday afternoon like this."
"It's okay, we can ask for a booth," Harper consoled him.
A tall, broad-shouldered man with a friendly face approached them as they entered, his arms spread wide inwelcome. "Nathan! Good to see you, my friend. And who is this lovely lady?"
Nathan's face brightened, a warm smile spreading across his features. "Hey, Nick!" he exclaimed, his voice filled with genuine pleasure. He pulled Harper close, his arm coming around her shoulders. "I'd like you to meet Harper. She's a newcomer to our little corner of the world, having just recently moved here from the city."
Harper extended her hand, a warm smile gracing her features. "It's nice to meet you, Nick."
As their hands touched, Harper felt the familiar tingle of recognition dance across her skin. Her amber eyes widened as they met Nick's dark eyes, seeing the same flash of startled awareness there. Another shifter! Her heart leaped with excitement at finding yet another member of the community. A soft chuckle escaped her lips as her eyes darted to Nathan, who was totally unaware.
At Nathan's request, Nick led them to a cozy booth in the far corner, away from the other diners. As he handed them their menus, Harper leaned in slightly.
"Nathan knows about us," she told Nick in a low voice.
Nick froze mid-motion, his eyes widening. Nathan's brow furrowed as he processed Harper's words, then his eyes lit up with understanding.
"Wait, you're a shifter too?" Nathan asked, his voice pitched low but filled with wonder.
Nick's eyes widened as he stared at Nathan. "You know about us?" He grinned, slapping Nathan's shoulder in delight. "Well, damn! I wish I'd known. I'm a badger shifter."
Harper watched Nathan's face light up with boyish enthusiasm. "That is so cool!" he exclaimed, keeping his voice low despite his excitement. "A badger shifter - I'm totally envious."
Reyna stirred within Harper, preening at Nathan's obvious fascination with shifters. The fox's satisfaction radiated through her, making Harper's lips curve into a fond smile.
