Page 54 of Finn's Solace

"That's a cozy-looking spot," Levi murmured, and I didn't detect a hint of teasing in his voice, not that I expected there to be.

I shrugged but didn't say anything, just grabbed a few changes of clothes and stuffed them in the bag, then got my toiletries from the bathroom. When I came back, Levi was sitting on the edge of my bed, taking in my room, and I realized that this was the first time he was seeing it.

We hadn't come up here when he came over for lunch last week, and we usually hung out at his place since we could be alone—save for Greta—there. What did he think of my room? Itstill had some posters from my younger days, but most of the space was more 'adult.'

"I like your room. It's very you. Cozy and warm," he said with a smile, as if he'd read my mind.

My room was the biggest bedroom after the master bedroom belonging to my dads, and I'd set my desk up against the window so I could get some sun in when I started work for the day. Other than that, there was a single cabinet full of stuff from my—but mostly Penny and Dean's—childhood. Projects made by my siblings, birthday gifts they'd given me, stuff I had no use for now but couldn't let go of because of sentimental value.

Until I moved here, I'd never had stuff that was mine, nothing except a few clothes and sometimes a toothbrush, and I'd lost even that when we were taken. So when I started actually owning stuff, I became a bit of a hoarder. Now most of that stuff was hidden in the cabinet, or in boxes in the top shelf of my closet, but it was all still there.

My bed was where Levi probably got the "warm and cozy" from, because it was covered in pillows, and at least four blankets made out of the softest wool. I'd made two of them with Noel, while the other two had been Christmas gifts from him. I had a few more I used in my closet. I loved how soft they felt against my skin.

Levi

I saw Finn eyeing the blankets on his bed, and grabbed the corner of one, surprised by how damned soft it was.

"You wanna take one of these? And wow, they're soft," I murmured, making him laugh.

"I made that one," he said, the pride clear in his voice. "Well, Noel made half of it, but I did the part you're touching."

"Noel as in Caleb's mate, the elf?" I asked, and he nodded. I supposed I should get used to everyone knowing everyone. That was the small-town magic, wasn't it? There were no strangers here, only potential friends and acquaintances.

Finn took the blanket we'd been talking about, and quickly folded it up before sticking it into the bag.

"All right, I'm done."

I stood up, then took his free hand in mine.

"Let's go, then," I said, and he smiled at me, his eyes crinkling at the corners. He was so damned cute.

Downstairs, Jai handed me a Tupperware full of curry and told me I could heat it up for dinner tomorrow. I wasn't going to say no to a free meal, especially not when I knew what a good cook he was.

"Have a great weekend, you two," Jai said, and Raphael wriggled his brows from behind his mate, making Finn blush.

"We will. Thanks again for the food," I said since Finn was too busy having a silent stare-off with his dad, and Jai waved me off.

"Come on, Gin," I murmured, which made Raphael grin for some reason.

Finn wished Jai a good night, then promptly ignored Raphael as he turned around and made a beeline for the front door.

"Ah, night, Raphael, Jai," I said, then hurried after my mate, who was already halfway to my car.

While I put his bag in the backseat and made sure Greta was settled in, he got into the passenger side. I handed him the Tupperware as I got into the driver's side, then stole a glance at him as I started the car.

"You okay?"

He sighed, then nodded. "Just embarrassed. Dad never tires of teasing me."

"I think it's sweet."

"Well, I do like that he doesn't treat me with kid gloves the way Papa sometimes does, but I could do with a little less teasing."

"You know he only does it because you react so easily," I pointed out, and he snorted.

"Thank you, Mr. Obvious."

"Hey, I'm on your side!"

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