“She’s here in Celestial Haven.”
* * *
A few minutes later,a tap on my shoulder had me waking to Lynx and Aspen’s smiles.
Saros whispered from above me and I propped myself up to sit. “Lynx is going to take you home. I’ll come by after I close up.”
“I can get back on my own,” I insisted, but when I went to stand, my legs shook, about to give out. My limbs were heavy, as if I’d just run a marathon—not that I would ever do that, but it seemed like that’s how it would feel if I were ever crazy enough to run that far on purpose.
“I’m free for the rest of the day, Wicked,” Lynx said, grabbing Aspen’s things and throwing them into the diaper bag. Saros picked up the baby seat and helped me down from the truck as Lynx loaded everything into the stroller. “You’re stuck with me until Saros comes over later.”
I nodded lazily, too exhausted to pick a fight. Saros handed me water in a to-go cup. “Stay hydrated and get some rest. I’ll see you both soon.”
And with that, Lynx and I strolled toward the house, my mind swirling despite the exhaustion, feeling both dread and hope that Hazel was so close.
Chapter20
Oakley
“You really didn’t have to walk me home,” I said, staggering a bit and using the stroller to support and guide me instead of the other way around.
“You could barely stand after that spell, Wicked. There’s no way I’d let you handle this little witchling alone right now.” Aspen sat in Lynx’s arms, facing out toward the neighborhood, his eyes growing wide taking in the orange and yellow leaves spilling from the trees, a stark contrast to the jet-black houses stacked like near carbon copies lining the sides of the road.
“Well technically, I’d be pushing him back in the stroller.”
“You seem barely able to push yourself back with the stroller.” He chuckled, and Aspen broke into a gummy grin in front of him. “Anyway, I couldn’t miss out on this cute company.”
“He is cute,” I agreed with a lazy sigh. “I only wish he’d let me have one outfit he didn’t have to embellish with spit-up.” I looked down, spotting a few slightly yellowed stains on the side of my top that we’d missed when he’d gotten Saros earlier.
“You sure you’re okay?” Lynx asked, stopping our stroll.
“Yeah, why?”
“You walked right past your house.”
I turned, finding a pumpkin-hued door. The Hendrix’s house. “Oops. Guess I was just enjoying our stroll.”
“I’d suggest we continue with it, but I think you need a nap.”
“A nap. What is that?” I gave a half-assed chuckle—I didn’t have enough energy to put my full ass behind it. “I’m okay. A little exhausted, but that is also my general vibe nowadays. Plus, Aspen will need another feed soon since most of his meal was left in Luna’s.”
I wobbled a bit going up the drive, and Lynx quickly shifted Aspen to his shoulder, grabbing the stroller from me to push it the rest of the way. I pressed my hand to the garage panel, waiting for it to take in my data and let me in, its red light still blinking. Turning to Lynx, I held out my arms to take Aspen inside. “Well, here we are safe and sound.”
He made no move to give him to me. “Why don’t I get some snacks together? You can feed the little witch and we’ll eat. Then I’ll watch him for a bit so you get a nap and shower in?”
It was a question that felt nothing like a question with the concern diffusing over his tone.
I touched the door, letting it slip open, then cocked my head at him. “Are you implying I smell?”
He moved in front of me, Aspen still in his arms as he held it open. Shaking a bit, I stepped into the laundry nook, a firm palm coming to the low part of my spine to steady me. “No. I just figure you don’t get many uninterrupted showers these days.”
“You’re right. I don’t.” I brushed Aspen’s cheek with my thumb, getting another sweet smile from him.
“Then let me keep him entertained and help you out.” He sniffed himself, then laughed. “I can be the stinky one, since I just got done working out. How does that sound?”
He definitely had that post-workout musk, but for whatever reason getting farther away from it didn’t appeal to me.
“Not being the stinky one sounds wonderful.” I clutched his shirt to not fall over and pressed a quick kiss to his cheek. “Thank you.”
