Page 68 of Accidentally Vacationed with an Incubus

“But I’m so glad I have you as a friend, Diane. I know!” Her toothless smile widened. “I’m going to bake you one of my apple pies! Do we have all the ingredients, dear?” she asked, turning expectantly to her husband.

Mr. Cadmus’s smile was sad, but full of warmth. “I’m sure I can get you whatever you need, my love.” Ms. Cadmus beamed before turning back to Jen. “I’ll get started right away. I’ll bring it over when I’m finished, Diane, and you can catch me up on how Jennifer is doing! I know she’s been very excited to meet her mate this year.” Jen’s breath caught beside me, her entire body going rigid. But Ms. Cadmus barely noticed, her features scrunching into a look of distaste. “But we really need to do something about that orc.” Ms. Cadmus, seemingly forgetting the apple pie entirely, turned and shakily made her way out of the kitchen.

Jen let out a long, slow breath as Mr. Cadmus stepped forward, pulling her into a fatherly hug.

When he released her, he turned to me, offering his hand. “I can’t thank you both enough for what you’ve done.”

I clasped his hand firmly, giving it a small, reassuring squeeze.

“It was the least we could do,” I said, meaning every word.

Chapter 20. Jen

Devlin was silent on the walk back.

I wasn’t sure if it was because he’d just learned that Rowan hadn’t merely had a crush on me but had actually been stalking me, or if it was because Ms. Cadmus, stuck in a reality nine years past, had casually let slip that I’d been excited to meet my mate.

Neither topic was one I wanted to broach with him.

The way his shadows pulsed, ebbing and flowing in restless agitation, I knew without a doubt that bringing up Rowan would send him into a primal rage.

As for the subject of mates, neither of us had dared to talk about it out loud yet.

I supposed it would be easier for him. His mate was out there somewhere, wandering the world, waiting to bump into him. If their paths crossed—whentheir paths crossed, I reminded myself—it would be chance. Fate.

For me, it was a choice. A deliberate, active choice.

If I wanted to keep this—whatever this was—going, I would eventually have to choose between Devlin... and summoning my mate.

And the truth was... I didn’t want to summon my mate anymore.

I wanted Devlin.

Devlin was everything I had ever wanted in a mate.

My body responded to him in ways I had thought were fictional, made up for romance readers... but with him, it was real. And I felt comfortable around him. Safe. I could be myself, unfiltered, without fear that he would flinch at my past or balk at my quirks. And he made me laugh. That was my favorite thing about him.

I was falling in love with him, and I owed it to him to tell him everything.

I took a breath, readying myself for the inevitable onslaught of verbal vomit. But just as I opened my mouth, my phone rang. The ancient iPhone, freshly charged that morning and miraculously holding its battery life despite being nearly a decade old, buzzed in my back pocket.

I pulled it out, my brows furrowing at the unfamiliar number that flashed across the screen. I hesitated. Then, with a glance at Devlin, I pressed the phone to my ear.

“Hello?”

“Jennifer?” The voice on the other end was instantly familiar. “It’s Isobel Lobato.”

“Warden Lobato!” I blurted, equal parts happy and relieved, both to hear a friendly voice and to delay the impending awkward conversation with Devlin for just a little longer.

“I’m not your warden anymore, Jennifer. You can call me Isobel. Or Izzy, if you prefer."

I chuckled, warmth blooming in my chest. “Only if you call me Jen.”

“Of course,” she said. “Tell me, Jen, how have you been adjusting to civilian life?”

I glanced up at Devlin, who stood nearby, arms crossed, curiosity flickering across his face. He mouthed, “Do you want some privacy?”

I shook my head.

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