Page 28 of Promise & Artem

“You know, syrups and sprinkly stuff.”

Promise stood and kissed his cheek. “I take it you like your coffee black?”

“You know it.”

“I’ll bring you a cup.”

When the girls had disappeared into the pantry to discuss the fun coffee items, Varick said, “I can’t believe your truemate just freaking showed up here.”

“Right?” Cade said. “We should be so lucky.”

“Maybe yours will show up at the gathering, especially if they’re able to pull off getting one going earlier in the season,” Artem said.

“We heard about the fighting league,” Daxton said, lowering his voice.

“What? How?”

Cade rolled his eyes. “Our moms are best friends, dude.”

“Oh, right. Yeah, I’m going with my dad tonight to talk to the owner and explain that I won’t be fighting anymore.”

“Will it be so easy?” Varick asked.

“I hope so,” Artem said. But he was a strong fighter and if he needed to use force, he would.

“Do you want us to come with you for support?” Cade asked.

“No, but thanks for offering. I’m hopeful we’ll be in and out without issue.”

“You should have let us know you were fighting at night, we would have gone with you,” Varick said, punching the air a few times.

Artem chuckled. “Next time I join up with an illegal fighting league, I’ll let you know.”

Promise returned with a cup of black coffee for him, and a very light-colored coffee for herself, with ice cubes and what looked like whipped cream and caramel sauce on top.

“Is that even coffee?” he asked, eyeing the brew.

“You sound like my dad,” she said with a laugh. “Yes, it’s coffee and it’s awesome. Not like your boring old black coffee.”

“Hey!”

He took a sip and put the mug down, then kissed her. She tasted like caramel and whipped cream.

“So what’s on tap today besides going to leave that fighting thing?” Isolde asked.

“You know too?” Artem asked.

“Mom told me.”

“Nothing’s a secret in this family I swear.”

“Hey, you managed to keep it a secret for however the heck long you were fighting, so I’d say at least you can keep secrets.”

“Good point.”

“We don’t have any plans though,” Promise said. “Right? Until you leave with your dad?”

He gave her a heated look. “I can think of a few things.”

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