Page 128 of Something Handsome This Way Comes

Their mouths met. Softly at first. One kiss. Then another. Grievance’s nose brushed Milo’s as they parted, only for Milo to chase his mouth and kiss him again. The emerald bumped lightly against Milo’s fingers when he cupped Grievance’s face.

My mark.

Milo smiled against his lips. Grievance did, too.

For a little while, Milo forgot all about empty traps and stolen bait and mysterious patches of ice.

Eventually, though, responsibility came crawling back. Milo groaned and rested his forehead against Grievance’s.

“You know, if we check those traps tomorrow morning and still have nothing, Hobbs is going to make us attend the emergency festival meeting.”

Grievance let out a heavy groan, head falling back in dismay.

“I refuse. I won’t go.”

“You have to. All business owners are required.”

“I can’t listen to another hour-long monologue about preventative firework safety.”

“She’ll hunt us down and come to the apothecary.”

“I’ll turn into a Thunderhawk and fly away.”

“And leave me?”

Grievance shrugged. “Survival of the fittest, my love.”

Milo playfully swatted at his chest.

“Come on. Help me close up.”

They locked the front door and extinguished the lanterns one by one. Milo counted the register while Grievance carried the displays from the pavement inside, and within half an hour, the Hollow Antler apothecary was dark and quiet for the night.

Milo stretched, already thinking longingly of their bed.

“Oh fuck. I still need to feed Mari.”

“I’ll do it; you get into bed,” Grievance said.

“You’re my hero.”

“I know.”

Milo rolled his eyes and started gathering the mugs they’d abandoned earlier. He had just turned toward the sink when he heard the back door open.

Then—

“Uh.”

Milo stopped.

Grievance rarely said uh.

“My love? Everything okay?”

A pause, then Grievance’s stilted voice. “You are going to want to see this.”

Milo hurried toward the back door.