Page 25 of Starfall

“I hadn’t. Not like this. He said he was given the image of me when he was worried he would be alone.”

Gabi gasped. “Oh. That’s...”

Levelle snorted. “So, he started sketching every part of her that had been shown to him. He saw a lot.”

Emery was nervous. “Like what?”

“I don’t know, but he has a collection of sketches, so he sees what he’s seen.”

Gabi glanced out the window. “He’s here. See you later, Emery. I am so glad he brought you to the shop today. We have to reconnect and go for coffee.”

“When I can get back into my other self, you can meet me at the diner. I can take as much time as I like.”

Gabi smiled. “Throw in unlimited coffee, and I will be there.”

“Of course. I mainline it most days myself.” She smiled. “Why is he coming in?”

“Because our family is old-fashioned, and he is going to escort you to your car. Haven’t you ever had an old-fashioned date?” Gabi chuckled.

“I don’t date. It’s complicated.” She shrugged and looked at the door as Rowen came in with his hair slicked back, his eyes bright, and he found her the moment he scanned the room.

“Oh, wow, Emery. Every beautiful feature has been enhanced so it cannot be forgotten.”

She blushed.

“Levelle, you did a wonderful job. Gabi, you, too. We will see you both later. We have to get there before the Yule log is set ablaze.” He held his hand out, and Emery walked over, acting on instinct.

She fidgeted as he kissed her knuckles and then wrapped an arm around her. They left the salon, and he walked her to his car. “This is different.”

“Fancy car for fancy events. I am just going to tuck you in, and we will be on our way.”

He followed his word, and she couldn’t stop staring at the tux he was wearing. She pulled the cloak around her as he tucked her in, and then, she had to put her arms out of it to buckle herself in. She sat with her hands in her lap as he came around and settled behind the wheel. “You look wonderful, but I think you are gorgeous sweaty and without a shower.”

“Thank you. The tux looks good on you.”

He grinned. “Thank you. I have to go to a surprising number of events in a year. It was sensible just to buy one.”

She had a thousand thoughts, most of which involved him in that suit and her in very little. Her cheeks were hot as he drove. It would be presumptuous of her to think that it was in her future, but she liked the thought of it.

He drove over the bridge that still showed the mark from where Orla had driven through the guard rail and into the river. He turned right instead of left toward the ogre’s house, and she exhaled slowly.

The glowing lights in the trees lit the path to Winter’s home. Hunter was outside, supervising the last of the arrangements, and Orla was next to him, wearing a white fur cloak with a snowy puppy in her arms.

“That is one large puppy.”

Emery chuckled. “Yeah, but he showed up when Orla needed him, so I sent him over from the rescue.”

“You sent him over?”

“Sure. The pet rescue is one of the businesses I own, and there is a strangely large percentage of magical creatures who arrive at our doors.”

They pulled into a marked parking spot, and he turned off the engine. He looked at her. “What would you pick for me?”

She looked at him. “I have a jackalope that requires a specific home.”

His grin said it all. “Just tell me what he needs, and I will get it together.”

Emery nodded. “I will make you a list.”

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