Page 89 of Only Human in Strangeville

The smile on his face and his contentment I felt through our bond was all the peace I currently needed. Though Nimbus’s happiness and Bridger’s easy walk alongside me added to my good mood.

“Bridger, have you decided if you will accept Katsuro’s offer?” Oliver broke the silence after a time.

“It is probably for the best,” he answered. “I’m not totally thrilled by the idea, but Hannah has taken his mark and I've taken hers. If I can get extra protection by accepting as well, I should do it.”

“Tonight, then?” I glanced at the hunter.

He nodded. “Tonight.”

“So, you and I should probably have a talk first.” I grinned at him.

“Oh?”

“Yeah, cause, uh, it’s intense and, unless you’re into guys, you will probably want me along.”

Bridger raised his eyebrows.

“Not that you can’t, uh, you know, just take care of the extra feelings yourself, if you want, but it’s more fun with friends.”

That got him and Oliver to laugh.

“Katsuro suggested it, but, you know, whatever makes you happy is fine with me.”

“I mean, we’ve barely been on a date. Have we been on a date?” He wrinkled his brow. “I don’t think evading capture counts.”

“Right, but we’re bonded. Though, if you never want to go that far it’s totally fine.”

“Why don’t you two get ice cream? It’s plenty warm and the parlor is quite nice. Then, you’ll have been on a date together.” Oliver grinned at both of us. “Problem solved?”

Bridger laughed again. “Hannah?”

“I love ice cream.”

“Great!” Bridger brought my hand up to his lips and kissed my knuckles.

“I will leave you two alone, then,” Oliver replied.

“We have to go past the apartments to get there, right?” I glanced at my shade.

“Yes.”

“Leave us there. You’re not supposed to be out alone either.”

“Very well.”

We continued on in companionable silence, and I couldn’t help but bite my lower lip. It was either that or walk around with a stupid grin on my face. I was very excited to get my hands on Bridger tonight. Maybe I could even talk him into some time this afternoon after ice cream. That way, our first time together would be just the two of us.

I liked that idea very much.

***

Nimbus buried his face in the vanilla ice cream I’d gotten for him. I had a marvelous lemon-flavored cone and Bridger had gone with rocky road. The trees sheltered us from the afternoon sun while we lounged on a park bench.

Laughing as Bridger told me an outlandish story about some TV ghost-hunter-style humans who’d ended up at the diner and were convinced it was haunted. It wasn’t as far as anyone knew.

I briefly thought back to the ghost that Oliver and Nimbus had chased out of my apartment, but my mate was a good storyteller and I soon got wrapped up in the tale.

Once Bridger finished and we had a good laugh, I fiddled with the last bit of my cone, trying to decide if I should bring up my idea about going back to my place. I was just about to say something when Nimbus’s head shot up, ears perked, ice-cream-covered nose twitching as he scented the air.

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