Page 48 of How to Hide Your Angel Kid

“I don’t need to be adorable! I—I’m not a grump.” Galent scowled, peeking at Pinks with bated breath in case Pinks decided that Galent did not meet his high standards.

But Pinks’ eyes were bright, a smile playing on his lips. “Wee-Wee, huh?”

Galent flushed. “Elephants can have any name they want.”

“Yes,” Handsome said gleefully. “Three-year-olds can also sit with their elephant BFFs and wave their arms around like a nose.” He grabbed his nose with one hand, stuck his other hand through the triangle of his arm, and waved clumsily. “Baby Lord Fangylovedpretending to be an elephant. Especially when I turned into an elephant and brought him and Wee-Wee on rides.”

Pinks’ face grew soft. “Awww.”

Galent blushed harder. “You shouldn’t be finding that... cute. I’m not cute.”

“You might be,” Pinks said with a smile.

Galent couldn’t describe the sudden swell of emotion in his chest.

“So!” Handsome whipped out a familiar pink book.

Pinks groaned. “Not that book! I’m banning it from this place!”

“I’m with Pinks,” Galent said, really to get on Pinks’ good side.

Handsome squinted suspiciously at them. Then he nodded, and tucked the book away. “You will get your hands on the coveted lines, one way or another.”

Galent didn’t know how his butler had learned to read him so well. “Anyhow, it’s time for me to make supper. And you’re not invited.”

Handsome pretended to be shocked. “Don’t you want your Lord Consort hearing about your dastardly adventures?”

“No,” Galent said, even though Pinks seemed interested. “You got what you came here for. You know I’m alive.”

Handsome gave them a big wink. “Come live with us, Lord Consort, and you’ll get all the stories Lord Fangy has paid people never to repeat again.”

Galent breathed in deep, ready to roast his butler into a crisp.

With a squawk, Handsome turned into a giant pelican, scooped his clothes into his throat pouch, and flew off.

Galent shut the door soundly behind him.

“So, that was your butler,” Pinks said warily.

“Ignore him.”

“I can’t! Not if youlivewith him.” Pinks raised an accusing eyebrow.

Galent froze, seriously considering firing his butler if it would encourage Pinks to be his mate.

Pinks cocked his hip. “How long has he been your butler?”

“Since before I was born, as you might’ve guessed.”

“Would you fire him, if it meant I would come to live with you?”

“... Yes.” Galent bit the inside of his cheek. “Even though I don’t want to.”

Pinks’ mouth twitched. “Does a mate really mean that much to you?”

“Someone to share the rest of my life with? Someone to hold in my arms every night? Yes.” Galent rubbed his chest. But no one decided to be mates for life after knowing someone for only a day, so he turned away. “I should make us some food. For Zarrie, too. What would she like to gnaw on?”

“Fruit and pasta would be great.”

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