Page 22 of Eclipsed Heart

My blood warmed at that damn tempting offer, but if Janet was here, that meant Michael was too and that Miles, Lucas, Jack, and Stella would be here shortly. “You know we can’t.” I tugged on his black shirt, wishing I had some actual clothes to wear. “But one day, that better damn well be possible.”

His eyes sparkled. “Oh, it will be.”

I scurried into his bathroom, searching for something to use to tame my wild blonde hair. All I could find was a comb at the edge of the sink, so I used it as best I could.

As I ran the comb through my knots, I glanced at myself in the mirror. My Caribbean-blue eyes were brighter than normal and my light-olive complexion glowed. Despite the battles and not enough rest, I still appeared to be a healthy version of my prior self, most likely due to the magic now able to run through my body.

The comb was doing a shit job, but I continued to attack one tangle at a time. I needed to bring my stuff here. At least, that would be one benefit of talking to Zeke this morning—I could run by my house and grab some items, though questions about Stevie were sure to come.

Bodey strolled in and stopped, watching me with a huge smile on his face.

I paused and turned toward him, raising a brow. “What?”

“You have no clue how it feels to find you in our bathroom, using my stuff.” He beamed. “It’s a dream come true. I’ve waited for you most of my life.”

My face flamed as butterflies soared in my stomach. Ever since he was a kid, he’d been waiting for me even though he hadn’t known my name or face. He’d just somehow known that I was out there—his fated mate. The fact that he’d chosen me over an unknown fated mate before we’d realized wewerefated made our relationship that much stronger. Learning we were fated was the icing on the cake.

He and I truly were meant to be together. Not only had Fate chosen us, but we’d chosen each other too.

Maybe Fate wasn’t a complete bitch after all.

“There’s no place in the world I’d rather be.” I kissed him, and at that moment, my stomach chose to grumbleagain.

I winced. “Sorry. We didn’t eat dinner last night.”

He laughed. “Believe me. I’m hungry too.”

Giving up, I dropped the comb on the sink. My hair was tame enough to not look like it belonged on a scarecrow. “Let’s eat.”

“Go on.” He kissed me and linked,I’ll be down after I change.

“Don’t be long.” I winked as I strolled out of the bathroom and headed into the kitchen.

When I entered, Janet was at the stove, with Samuel sitting on a barstool at the island across from her. Michael was perched on another stool at the edge of the island near me. The other advisors hadn’t arrived yet, so I had time to drink some coffee to prepare for Jack and all his snarkiness.

“Good morning, dear.” Janet scrambled the eggs, her hair pulled into a bun. “I hope you don’t mind that I came and cooked breakfast.” She glanced at me, biting her bottom lip as if she was nervous.

“You always do.” I brushed past her, heading to the Keurig.

She nodded. “True, but now you and Bodey are mated.”

I put a pod in the coffee machine and grabbed a mug. “Yeah.”

Michael shook his head. “Janet was worried that she’d upset you by coming into your house and cooking for your mate, even though Bodey is her son.”

“Oh, Michael.” She grabbed a towel and tossed it at him. “I can speak for myself.” The towel hit him in the chest and dropped onto the island.

He smashed his lips together, trying to hide his smile as she went back to scrambling the eggs.

Samuel shook his head and took a sip from his mug.

Right, coffee. I pressed brew and poured two tablespoons of sugar and a dash of cream into my mug as it filled. “I promise, Bodey would much rather eat your cooking than mine.” I managed to burn eggs every time I tried to make them, which perplexed me.

Her shoulders sagged, and she nodded behind her toward the couch. “I have a surprise for you.”

My gaze darted in that direction, and I saw a pair of jeans, a burnt-orange sweater, and a bra on the back of the couch.

She took the frying pan off the burner. “These clothes might not fit you perfectly, but I thought you might want to wear something of Jasmine’s rather than Bodey’s clothes to question Zeke.”

---