Pyxlevir understood why Gramlithyn had fled and had somehow accepted it. The lovely elf smiling at him was even open to the possibility of fixing the past. But they had a matebond. One Gramlithyn and Pyxlevir had agreed to keep secret for now.
Which meant Gramlithyn had to face the other people in his life without answering questions about his behavior. Or lie. He’d done enough of that already, and he couldn’t fix anything if he continued to hide from his feelings or tell half-truths.
“They probably don’t like me much anymore,” Gramlithyn said.
“They’re upset because they love your parents and me. But they aren’t going to bring that up and make you uncomfortable. I won’t let them.”
“Don’t make things any more awkward by giving them orders.”
“Think about this…they’d probably like you more if they knew we were rebuilding a relationship. If they could witness that themselves.”
“For someone who overthinks everything, I didn’t give any thought to what would happen if I ran out of town with my zebra’s tail tucked between my legs,” Gramlithyn muttered. The beast in question was overjoyed at the recent turn of events. All Gramlithyn had to do to please his zebra right now was tobe around their mate. Six years was far too long to neglect his zebra’s wants. “But I’m the one who messed up, so I’ll face the consequences. I’ll have lunch with you guys if that’s okay with everyone involved.”
“It will be, no worries.”
“Okay, let’s get the bill taken care of, I have shopping to do. Can I walk you back to your office?”
Pyxlevir’s grin lit up his blue eyes. “I’d like that.”
Gramlithyn didn’t answer; he was too busy smiling like a fool at the most beautiful elf in the world as his zebra whinnied with ecstasy.
Chapter 20
Chuckling at the eyebrow-wiggling Dasan, Pyxlevir grabbed a seat at the dining room table. Gramlithyn was across from him, and they shared a small smile. While everything was new and awkward, Pyxlevir was pleased with his day. Their emotional conversation over the weekend had changed little between him and his mate until he’d received a text inviting him to lunch.
Gramlithyn had needed time to think, and Pyxlevir appreciated that. But he was pleased that Gramlithyn had taken the initiative. Their earlier meal had been fun, and Pyxlevir was eager to do it again. When Pyxlevir had returned to his office, he’d sent a group text to suggest to his current household that they eat dinner together.
Everyone had responded in the affirmative, but as Pyxlevir waited for his roommates to get settled, the vibe was tense. They’d ordered from the kitchen in the apartment building, and it’d arrived swiftly.
“Does anyone need anything?” Dasan asked. They each assured the hummingbird that they were fine.
“Let’s dig in,” Gramlithyn suggested.
No one spoke as they took their first few bites, and Pyxlevir didn’t like the uneasiness.
“What’s wrong?” he asked.
The twins exchanged a glance, then Colburn’s gaze slid to Gramlithyn for a heartbeat before his eyes met Pyxlevir’s. “Well, we were surprised by the dinner invitation. We’ve shared an apartment for over a month, and this is one of the few times the five of us have been together. We were under the impression that we’d left our family homes for a reason.”
Gramlithyn nodded. “You’re right, and I apologize. I arranged for this apartment to give Pyx and I a chance to discover if we can mend our matebond or eventually break it, but I haven’t honored my part of the bargain. That stops now. Pyx and I had a conversation this weekend, and I’m ready to stop hiding from my problems.”
“Good, because as far as Cris and I are concerned, if you decide to go the separation route, we’ll have to extend our time here to add another thirty days. That’s the only way you could fulfill the requirements of the law and prove you tried to be mates for a full year,” Colburn replied. “The first month you barely had conversations with anyone but Dasan.”
“You kidding? He’s been talking to himself more than to anybody else. At least he got a job, so we know he’s not sitting around this apartment naked on the sofa while we’re at work,” Dasan retorted.
Pyxlevir nearly fought the impulse to chuckle, but Gramlithyn’s expression was so annoyed that he lost the battle, which earned him a glare from the zebra-elf.
“He better not be; I put my bare feet on that thing,” Pyxlevir teased.
“Anyway, I think that’s fair, Colby,” Gramlithyn said. “I agree. The first month doesn’t count. We made no effort to reconnect except for a few late-night conversations no one else witnessed.”
Colburn smiled, and Pyxlevir relaxed. Their friends needed reassurance, but Pyxlevir didn’t doubt that no matter what the future brought, they’d be supportive. They were fantastic people he was glad to call family.
“I’m happy you’re finally trying,” Colburn said. “Honestly, Cris and I were talking last night, and we were going to confront you both soon. Either you were going to spend time together or we were going home.”
“I’m sorry I waited so long and made you feel like your sacrifice in leaving your family wasn’t worth it,” Gramlithyn said.
“Same,” Pyxlevir added. “I know you miss them.”
