“Hey,” he said softly. “Thanks for doing this with us.”
Boone shrugged, though his expression softened. “I’ll do anything you want as long as I’m with you.”
Demarien’s smile shifted, smaller, but warmer. “Even if these weirdos are involved?”
“Especially then.”
Demarien laughed, and this time when they leaned into each other, it wasn’t out of excitement or relief, but something steadier. Familiar already, even if everything else was still new.
Behind them, the countertop sat perfectly in place—solid, level, and real. Just like something else they were starting to build.
Chapter 10
Leaving the others to their own respective evenings, Demarien went on a walk with Boone and Brownie. His cottage had access to a small, private beach. The wind carried the ocean's steady hush as they walked side by side along the damp, packed sand. Waves rolled in with a rhythmic certainty, stretching and retreating, leaving behind glimmering sand.
Demarien tucked his hands into the sleeves of his oversized sweater, leaning slightly into Boone as a gust of cool air swept past them. “You’d think I’d be used to this by now,” he said, smiling faintly. “Doesn’t matter how long I've lived here. It’s always colder than I expect.”
Boone chuckled, slipping his arm around Demarien’s shoulders and pulling him closer. “That’s part of the charm. Keeps you awake. Makes everything feel sharper.”
“Sharper?” Demarien asked, glancing up at him.
“Yeah. The sound of the waves, the smell of the salt, and you complaining about the cold. Keeps me on my toes.”
“I am not complaining,” he said with a laugh, nudging Boone with his elbow.
The alpha grinned. “Right. Not complaining. Just passionately observing.”
Demarien rolled his eyes but didn’t pull away. Instead, he rested his head briefly against Boone’s shoulder as they continued walking. Ahead, a jagged outcropping of rock jutted into the water, dark and steady against the deep red horizon.
“It’s beautiful,” Demarien said quietly. “I’ve always loved this place. It feels like the world stops out here.”
Boone followed his gaze. “No noise. No rush. Just this.”
“And us,” Demarien added.
“And us,” Boone agreed, his voice softer now.
Something skittered between them, and Boone yelped.
Demarien chuckled. “And a crab.”
The crab sat on Boone’s foot for a moment. Demarien noticed it was missing one of its back legs. Otherwise, the creature seemed fine as it stared at them with its beady eyes. Brownie ran to them and sniffed the creature. Satisfied that it smelled okay, the dog went back to waddling down the beach.
“There’s a crab on my foot.” Boone gave Demarien a solemn look. “Why is there a crab on my foot?”
“Life is strange.” Demarien shrugged, grinning.
The crab click clacked away after a moment of watching them, weaving in a strange pattern as it went back into the sea.
Demarien rubbed his chin. “I shall name him Casanova.”
“What?”
“He really liked you, so he has great taste.”
“I’ve never had a crab sit on my foot before.”
“He was your first.”
