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Sounds dangerous and probably would be if Ade wasn’t giving away her position by giggling and Quil wasn’t cheating by peeking.
I laugh as I watch them and Lumi joins in, quickly getting caught by Quilo, who uses the opportunity to feel Lumi up under the guise of trying to guess who he captured.
She untangles herself from his grip and comes back over to me. Her smile is so warm and wide, lighting up her entire face.
It hits me like a ton of bricks.
I love her.
I have the overwhelming urge to say something stupid like how I feel or, even worse, ask her to marry me.
Nope. I clamp my mouth shut so tight it hurts. I can’t say anything. We’ve not even had a date alone together yet. No, it’ll be much better if I wait until then. Or like, the second date or something. It’s not as crazy as it sounds. My species moves fast, and Whit already wants to ask them both to move in with us.
“So did any of the girls come and see you about the charity event in the end? They were pretty keen to hold it here, and Storm’s a bit of a force to be reckoned with,” Lumi says.
I chuckle lightly because she’s definitely putting it politely. “Yeah a bunch of them came over and railroaded Whit into it. I don’t think they gave him much of a choice…apparently they’re going to take care of everything, we just need to provide the venue.”
“What? You’re not taking part?” Lumi teases.
“I’ll be the medic for the event so probably not, but I’m sure Quil and Whit will get bullied into it.”
“Well, it is for a good cause…” she points out, giving me a wink and biting her lip in a way which makes my dick twitch.
“Damn, maybe I should get Sacha to be the medic for the event so that I can do my bit for charity then.”
“You know something? I absolutely wouldn’t complain about that.” She’s smiling, teasing I’m sure, but there’s a heat to her gaze as she checks me out. My bear releases a low growl and she chuckles. “Or maybe just a private show?”
“You’ve got it. Just say when,” I promise. I’m tempted to drag her off the ice right now and up to the office to give her all the show she wants. But Ade’s squeals of delight in the background remind me that it’s not exactly good timing.
“We just need to find a photographer for the event,” I say, thinking it’s better to steer the conversation onto safer topics. “There was talk of a calendar.”
“Ooooh! I can just see you as Mr. June.” She laughs. “You should ask Nyx, over at Midnight Nyx Photography. She has her own studio and specializes in all sorts, but she did the photos of Alaafia for my website and I think she did a brilliant job.”
“Damn, you’re right. I don’t know why I didn’t think of her. And your website looks great by the way.”
“You checked me out?”
“In more ways than one.” I wink at her.
“Shall we get a drink?” Quilo calls out, sounding breathless and looking ragged.
“Sure,” I shout back.
“Mama, can I stay on the ice?”
“Don’t you want a drink, baby?”
“I’m okay. I just wanna skate.”
“Okay, but I’ll just be on the bench if you need me. Don’t get too tired.”
“I’m fine.”
I take Lumi’s hand in mine and we skate to the exit, Whit and Quilo joining us. I leave them on the bench right by the rink, remove my skates, and go to grab some drinks from the bar. Even though Ade said she didn’t want anything, I grab her a fruit juice just in case she changes her mind. I love how quiet the rink is. Obviously, it’s great to see it busy, but with the things Whit has done tonight he’s made it a really special place to be.
When I get back to the others and hand out the drinks, Whit is agreeing to give Lumi some private time on the ice for some sort of ice yoga class that sounds pretty cool. I’ll be glad to stand at the side and watch. I can see how much Lumi loves her job, she’s so passionate and animated as she talks about her future plans for the studio. I realize that she’s going to be staying here, putting down roots to give Ade the best childhood she possibly can, and the idea warms my heart. I love working at the rink, way more than any hospital or surgery job. I want to stay here too and make a life for us all with Lumi, Ade, and my brothers by my side.
“Mama! Look!” Ade calls. Of course we all turn to watch the little girl as she spins on the ice, executing a near perfect spin with speed and precision.
