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“You’re being distracting.”

“And you didn’t say how many lanterns you decided to bring. Yesterday it was ten. Last night was six, and twenty minutes ago you wanted to bring all sixteen of them.”

“It’s not my fault,” she pouts, “It’s all about balancing the space.”

I steal a quick kiss, enjoying the way she melts into me.

“Then we can take them all, and whatever you don’t use we can put back in the car.”

She worries her lip as a hint of self-doubt creeps into our bond. I cup her face in my hands, gently stroking her cheeks with my thumbs.

“Hey, you have nothing to worry about. And I’m not just saying that as your mate.”

I’m gifted with a soft smile that is only for me. The one that graces her lips anytime I call her my mate. Warmth spreads through my chest as I feel her own love pour into me.

“Ember and Logan have been with you every step of the way, and you know how fussy Ember is.”

Cordelya giggles, some of the doubt seeping out of the bond.

“She really can be super picky. I can’t imagine how Logan deals with her looking at plans and telling him her thoughts and opinions on his designs.”

“He secretly loves it.”

“He secretly loves her,” she says, laying her head on my chest.

For a long moment, we stay just as we are. Her sitting on the trunk with her head on my chest, me standing in front of her, just holding her. My watch vibrates, a reminder we have to leave soon, prompting me to break the moment.

“Let me go get the boxes and put them in the trunk.”

“I need to go leave treats out for the fur babies for while we’re gone.”

I lift her from the trunk and set her on the ground. “Already done.”

Another wave of love and happiness hits me as I walk back to the house.

It only takes us twenty minutes to get to the newly completed build after we finished carefully loading the car. The house is on the other side of town from my house and also happens to be in the neighborhood where Ember and Logan live.

Cordelya stares at the house with the same awed expression she’s had since Logan showed her the plans. Every step, I could see how much she liked the house. The further along the build got, the more inspired she was to decorate. She had design boards for every room and even helped pick out all the trimmings and fixtures. There was not a single detail of the house that she hadn’t had input on.

“I’m going to miss this place when it sells.”

I grab her hand, gently squeezing it. “I know, Moonlight. We’ll take lots of pictures tonight.”

She nods and blows out a breath, then releases my hand. Together we unload the plethora of decorations from the car. I carry them in and set them on the back patio, the last space to be decorated. She dives in, placing items strategically before stepping back to assess her work. By the time she places the last lantern, voices drift from the house.

I stand back, looking from the yard up to the patio. “Moonlight, this looks incredible.”

She walks down the steps and joins me, turning to assess her work.

“You don’t think the lanterns are overkill?”

I can’t help but laugh and pull her into my arms, kissing the top of her head.

“No, the lanterns are perfect. Everything is perfect.”

“Should we sneak out through the back gate?” she asks, looking at her watch as we hear another car door shut. “I ran a little late.”

I take her hand, interlacing our fingers and tug her back toward the house. “I think we’ll be okay going through the house.”