Page 30 of Forged

Nick laughed. It was the best signal that all was well between them that Bax could have had.

They walked on. Macy continued to sleep, and Jordan ended up slumping against Nick’s shoulder and nodding off, too. They really should have headed home at that point, but it was nice to just walk together without interference from the kids while looking at shop windows and light displays. Bax would have greatly preferred if the kids weren’t there at all, but not because he didn’t like them. He longed for the moment when he would be able to spend adult time with Nick doing adult things.

Ironically, as his mind started to wander to some of those adult things, he was distracted by a call of, “Bax, is that you?”

He and Nick both turned to find a tall, gorgeous man in a dark green peacoat with a russet scarf wrapped fashionably around his neck heading toward them.

“Callum,” Bax greeted his friend. He suddenly felt awkward about having a toddler asleep in his arms.

“I thought that was you,” Callum said as he reached them, managing to look like he belonged in the pages of a fashion magazine instead of sweaty and winded, like Bax was sure he looked. “Is that ababyyou’re carrying?” he asked as if it were ridiculous.

“Yep,” Bax answered, trying to sound casual but having to fight off irritation and awkwardness as he did. “This is Macy Turner-Hawthorne, that one there is Jordan Turner-Hawthorne, and this is Nick Turner, their dad.”

“It’s a pleasure to meet you,” Callum said, flashing his perfect smile and holding out a hand to Nick. “Callum Orville.”

Nick shifted a heavy, sleeping Jordan in his arms so he could take Callum’s hand and shake it in return. “Hi.”

Callum immediately turned his attention back to Bax. “I was sorry you couldn’t join us for Imbolc last week.”

More unwanted emotions washed through Bax, heating his face and neck. “I had other plans,” he said.

“Of course, of course,” Callum said, holding up a hand. “The invitation was very last-minute.”

“Oh. You’re the one who invited him to the celebration,” Nick said.

Bax wasn’t sure if he felt happy or uncomfortable that Nick had made the connection. He’d only mentioned Callum’s invitation after the fact and in the vaguest terms, like it hadn’t been a big deal.

“Were you celebrating together?” Callum asked, something unreadable in his eyes as he glanced between Bax and Nick.

Bax had the feeling that Callum didn’t approve of the two of them being together any more than Mrs. Turner did. He could have just been hypersensitive after the encounter with Mrs. Turner, though.

“We did, yes,” Nick answered.

“I didn’t realize you practiced the old ways,” Callum said, trying to be funny.

“Oh, I don’t,” Nick said. “Bax showed me what to do, though.”

“I see,” Callum said, his smile brightening a bit. “And what do you do?”

Nick shuffled a bit. “I’m a metal artist,” he said.

“I beg your pardon?” Callum blinked rapidly, looking genuinely curious.

“I teach metalwork and blacksmithing at the Hawthorne Community Arts Center,” Nick explained.

Callum drew in a breath, like he’d just connected the dots. “Of course, you do,” he said with a cheeky grin. “With arms like those, how could you be anything but a blacksmith?”

Bax didn’t know whether to wince or laugh at the speed with which Nick blushed. Callum was the second person in as many hours to hit on him. Clearly, Nick wasn’t used to that sort of attention from women or men.

The moment moved on when Callum turned to Bax again and said, “You know the invitation to join my coven is still there. Any time you’d like to come by and spend some time with us, you’re welcome. Ostara is a way off, but we’re already making plans.”

“Thanks,” Bax smiled. “That’s definitely something to consider.”

“It’s just that I heard you’re searching for a new group,” Callum went on, going so far as to rest a hand on Bax’s arm. “You’re always welcome.”

“I appreciate it,” Bax said.

He should have pulled away from Callum’s touch, but something held him there a second or two longer. He missed being the carefree, flirtatious adult he was when he’d been with Damien. When Callum finally did let go, he left Bax filled with nervous energy.

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