Page 333 of Blood & Betrayals

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Summer

“What happened?” Connor asks, wrapping his arms around me and pulling me onto his lap.

I press my forehead to his and close my eyes, exhaustion pulling at me.

“Summer? What is it?” Connor asks.

I pull back and open my eyes, looking at his perfect face and the love shining from his eyes. “I don’t want to wait,” I blurt out.

Connor tips his head. “What do you mean?”

I brush my thumb along his cheek. “Let’s get married. Over the summer.”

Connor’s mouth drops open and then closes. He stares at me a moment in shock before saying, “What? You don’t want to wait?”

I shake my head. “I don’t want to wait.”

Connor’s face breaks out into the most heartbreaking smile. “Well, okay then! Let’s call my mom tonight!”

I force a bright smile. “I would love that!”

Connor’s smile grows wider, if that’s even possible. “We’re getting married.”

“We’re getting married,” I agree with a grin.

“I’m going to marry you. I’m going to be your husband!”

I laugh. “My husband!”

Connor smothers me in kisses, and I bask in the joy and love. I close my eyes, soaking in every second.

Connor sobers and cups my face. “Now, tell me why you’re home early.”

I exhale, my smile dimming a little. “Someone followed me. Or at least, I think they did.”

“Followed you?” Connor asks with a frown.

“I handled it, but then I just wanted to get home to you.”

Connor squeezes me to him, and I tunnel my fingers into his hair, nuzzling into his neck and inhaling him.

“I’m here.”

I smile but pull back. “Let’s call you mom now. I know you’re desperate to tell her.”

Connor smiles and pulls his phone free, starting the video chat with his mom. Farrah’s beautiful face fills the screen. Her cheek has a dusting of flour on it. She’s obviously in the middle of baking, but the way her face lights up when she sees Connor is heartbreakingly wonderful. She loves her boys so much.

“Conbear!” she says. “How’s one of my six favorite boys?” she asks. Uriel comes up behind her and wraps his arms around her. He kisses her neck before smiling at the screen and moving away.

“Mom, we want to move up the wedding,” Connor says, joy in every word.

Farrah screams so loud that Connor and I have to cover our ears. I chuckle and nuzzle into Connor.

“I can have everything ready by…” she thinks for a moment, “next weekend.”

Connor laughs. “No! Not that soon! Just sooner. This summer.”

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