Page 43 of Her Convict Wolf

I hug her tight. “What do you think? We need to reserve the course two weeks in advance, but otherwise, we can go any time you like.”

“I think…” She draws back, tears pooling in her eyes. “This is the best thing ever. And I can’t wait to go. Thank you so much!”

Warmth pours through me. She’s even more excited than I thought she’d be. “This little place will always be here for us when we get back.”

She nods, eyes shining. “Oh, I know.” Then her forehead furrows. “I thought you said shifters and airplanes go together like peanut butter and gravy?”

I kiss her on the nose. “I might have. But I can make an exception for you.”

It’s true—shifters hate flying. Even that helicopter ride shook my beast up no end. But it’ll have to suck it up. I’m so ready for our adventure—to see my beautiful mate exploring the world at last. Nothing could make me happier.

EPILOGUE

Three years later

“Chef?”

I turn my head, locating the voice of my head waiter, Lucia. She’s at the service hatch, waving to get my attention.

“Table twenty-one wants to thank you for their meal,” she calls. She rolls her eyes and grins at the same time. The compliments have been coming so thick and fast tonight, we can barely keep up.

“Thanks, Lu.” I scan the kitchen. We’re almost done for the evening, and my team looks to have everything under control. We’ve been debuting a brand-new menu, and everyone has done so well. I couldn’t be more proud of my chefs.

I give a happy sigh, pull off my hat and follow Lucia into the dining room.

There’s only one customer at table twenty-one. A big, broad-shouldered man with dark hair, a ruggedly handsome face, and the most incredible blue eyes.

My heart bounds. “What are you doing here?” I exclaim, dashing over.

Maxim gets up and kisses me way more discreetly than usual. He’s wearing a dark suit and a light-blue button-down, and he looks absolutely gorgeous. “I wasn’t about to miss your big night.”

I fix him with a stern look. “I thought you had a meeting with Travis tonight?”

He shrugs. “I knew you’d be nervous if you realized I was out here.”

I break into a grin. “You know me too well.”

“No such thing as too well.” He catches my hand and kisses it.

“So…?” I demand, my heart beating faster.

“Sensational.” He shakes his head. “Every single dish was a knockout. The duck rillettes, the tartare. You’ve totally surpassed yourself, Emory.”

“Really?” I lay a hand on my chest and close my eyes. Maxim’s opinion is more important to me than anyone else’s. My restaurant is two years old, and we’re already won a bunch of accolades. We’re currently in the running for a Michelin star, and I’m hoping this menu will seal our reputation.

“Thank you for knowing I actually, secretly wanted you here,” I say, and suddenly, I’m blinking back tears. I couldn’t have done any of this without him.

He wipes at a make-up smudge beneath my eye with the pad of his thumb. “I wouldn’t have missed it for anything. Now go. I’m sure you’ve got a ton of things to do. I’ll be right here when you’re done.”

* * *

When the lastcustomers have left, I lock the doors and we have a little party for the team to thank them for being so awesome.

Maxim insists on helping, so I put him in charge of pouring the Champagne. He’s the perfect host—confident and charming—and I’m so dang proud of him.

After an hour or so, the party is going strong. It’s great to see my crew relax and let their hair down after an intense period of preparation. When my sous chef busts out the karaoke machine, I decide our work is done. Maxim and I sneak out and climb into his SUV.

It’s always late when I finish, but Maxim has adjusted his schedule to mine, so we get to spend quality time together. He insists on picking me up every single day, and driving me home.

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