Page 5 of Something Handsome This Way Comes

“It’s field-trip day,” Milo said. “She wanted to show off her new sweater.”

“Well, it’s adorable. Also, get out before she eats my tablecloths,” Rowen said, and Milo quickly redirected Marigold’s attention from the checkered tablecloth currently being used by two tourists enjoying their coffee.

“Yeah, that’s probably for the best,” Milo said, taking the pouch of coins from Rowen. “Pleasure doing business,” he said, trying for that charisma Rowen channeled so easily.

“Same to you, Brooke. You take care and—” Rowen turned his attention to Grievance, who hadn’t stopped glaring the entire time. “You keep on being your happy, sunshine self, alright, big guy?”

Grievance bristled, lip pulling back in a snarl. “The fuck is that supposed to mean⁠—”

“We’re leaving. Bye, Rowen!” Milo said, dragging Grievance with one hand and pulling Marigold’s leash with another.

Milo hurried his problematic little family down the street, and didn’t slow until they were well beyond the bakery, ducking into a narrow alcove between two crooked storefronts.

Bundles of dried cornstalks leaned against the walls beside pots overflowing with golden and burgundy chrysanthemums, while stacked pumpkins waited to be arranged for the festival. It was just far enough from the main road to escape the steady stream of shoppers.

“Lanterns,” he groaned. “I can’t take you anywhere.”

“You better be talking to the goat,” Grievance hissed, still pissy.

“Babe, I love you, but you gotta cool it with Rowen. He’s with that pretty vampire lady.”

“Still don’t like the way he smiles at my mate. It’s rude.”

At the sound of that, some of Milo’s irritation melted away. He took Grievance’s hand until his fiery Chimera looked at him, those flecks of peridot sparkling in a pool of caramel brown.

“You should know by now, you have nothing to worry about.”

Grievance’s shoulders eased. “I know.” He squeezed Milo’s hand. “Maybe I enjoy worrying.”

“I think you enjoy pouting.”

Grievance frowned. “I do not pout.”

“You absolutely pout. You’re pouting right now!” Milo said, pointing at the hard set of Grievance’s mouth.

“I do not pout. I brood. Much sexier.”

Milo laughed, shaking his head. “Well, lucky for you, I happen to like brooding Chimeras.”

“Oh?” Grievance asked, that crooked smile returning to his face. Others might have found the scar pulling at the right side of his mouth disfiguring, but Milo adored it. It gave every smile a lopsided warmth that somehow made the handsome Chimera even more unfairly attractive.

“Hmm…” he mused, closing the distance between them. “And how many brooding Chimeras do you know?”

“A few,” Milo teased. “But lucky for you, I happen to be completely obsessed with this one.”

His fingertips brushed lightly along the scar, lingering against warm skin.

Grievance’s grin softened, gaining that gentle affection he reserved just for Milo. A few sparks of lime green danced just under the collar of his vest, the way the Chimera’s magic always did when bonding with his Veya. His family.

“Mmm, how obsessed are you?” he purred.

“Pretty fucking obsessed,” Milo breathed, resting a hand on Grievance’s stubbled jaw.

“Can I ask a favor?”

Milo blinked, surprised. “Of course.”

“I want you to spell out exactly how obsessed you are with me—when I have my tongue in your ass tonight.”