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“He looks like every other orc,” Gunner said with a laugh, not displaying a bit of jealousy about his wife gushing over a different monster.
“I met him last night at the ball,” Kate said. “Are you sure I need a bodyguard?”
I loved her fire and how she spoke up for herself, but she needed someone to watch over her when I wasn’t around. In the elf kingdom, it was common for the aristocracy to juggle for power, and some could be quite ruthless. And since internal combustion engine drivers could be dangerous, it would be wise to ensure my fiancée was well-protected.
“I guess we should get going and leave you two alone,” Rylee said with a wink. She took Gunner’s hand. “Ready to continue our walk, love?”
He leaned over and kissed her.
“Bye, Kate. Bye, Tylik,” Josh chirped, looking up at me.
I lifted him and spun him around once more while he giggled before returning him to the ground. He skipped after his parents, pausing to turn back and wave.
“You’re going to make a great dad,” Kate said.
“Josh is amazing. So much fun.”
She studied me before returning her gaze to our friends. “They’re happy together.” A touch of longing lingered in her voice.
She’d made it clear she didn’t want a permanent relationship, and I’d agreed to respect her wishes. But now that I was getting to know her better—and we’d shared some amazing kisses—I was having regrets.
Would it be wrong of me to try to change her mind about sharing a future with me?
We strolled through the park, sharing bits about our lives and picking the menu for the reception, which I’d pass onto Storm, who’d agreed to cater the event.
Kate loved seafood, which I wasn’t fond of. She’d always dreamed of going hang gliding. I wasn’t sure what that could be, but if she wanted to do it, I’d find a way.
“Seyla’s taking me gown shopping on Thursday; it’s the soonest we could get an appointment.”
“I understand if I see you in your gown before the wedding, we’ll be cursed with seven years of bad luck, so please don’t show me once you’ve selected your dress.”
A frown filled her face. “I haven’t heard of that, but . . .” Her expression cleared. “Oh, you mean seven years bad luck if you break a mirror. We’ll avoid that as well. I’ve heard of not showing the groom the gown until he sees her walking down the aisle, however.”
I cleared the huskiness from my throat. “I am very much looking forward to seeing you in your gown on our wedding day.”
Chapter11
Tylik
We met at the park again on Monday after work. In addition to serving customers at Mystic Mixtures, I’d made arrangements for the procurement of an internal combustion engine vehicle.
Paying anything but gold for such a thing confused me. In the fae realm, coins were exchanged for items. In the human realm, one must sit while a male discussed extended warranties and asked if I wished to apply a coat to the underside of the carriage. Why would an object crafted from metal need to wear a coat?
Finally, I was able to complete the transaction. It would arrive at her place of residence soon.
As Kate walked toward me, she carried a white box. Her other hand lifted to wave. I stared in wonder as usual. Everything about her tugged on my heart, from her kindness to me, to her warm smile, and the way she thought of others before herself.
“I stopped by Rylee’s bakery to buy a cupcake, but Rylee bustled from the back and handed me this box,” she said. “She told me not to open it until I was with you. She said it’s a sample of the wedding cake she’ll be making for us.”
“I can’t wait to see.”
We sat at a picnic table, and Kate placed the box between us.
“My aunt’s hosting a dinner party in our honor Friday night,” I said.
“That’s nice of her.”
“I researched and discovered it’s traditional in some human societies for the groom’s family to host such a meal. Usually it follows a rehearsal of the wedding, though we won’t be doing that.”
