Page 65 of Partnering with the Artist

I get two.

“It’s just so nice, you know?” I say.

“What? The fact we can afford both banana nut muffins and double fudge brownies in the same grocery trip?”

Well, I mean.Yes. But also. “Knowing the person I like cares about me just as much.”

“It’s been a matter of weeks, Mae. You have to keep love bombing in mind. Not even Harry was a complete menace to you those first few months you were together.”

It’s true. But there were still some signs with him that I didn’t see until after we broke up. Even when he wasn’t horrible, he was still self-centered in ways that left no room for me. Sure, thewolfkinmoment was a sudden downward shift, but if he’d made the same form Zakery had, he wouldn’t have filled it out.He would have graded me. He would have left off every question about my dreams and aspirations and how he could seek to support me in them.

Yet I would have been moonstruck all the same, obsessing over the fact he’d put effort into wanting to take our relationship seriously at all.

I’m definitely honeymooning with Zakery, but I at least hope I’m not being completely oblivious this time or sweeping anything that niggles at me under the rug. After all, I’m not coming into this relationship believing that I’min lovewith him.

Am I somewhat enchanted?

Yes.

But with Harry, superficial things enamored me. I thought he was attractive. I liked the way he carried himself with a confidence bridging on arrogance. He was sure of himself, and I convinced myself that it made me feel safe. With Zakery…the biggest thing is his kindness. Which is saying something, because the man is twenty thousand times prettier and more confident than Harry.

“Is there something you aren’t telling me that makes you uncomfortable where Zakery is concerned?” I ask.

Morana shrugs, reaching forrealmaple syrup.Notpure high fructose corn syrup. “No. I like the whole family. Except Kyran. Who needs to freaking use his fricken hamper.” She’s half smiling when she looks at the price. “Kaleb is amazing.”

“Do youlikeKaleb?”

“Not my type. But since he’s handled my training most directly, I consider him to be my main boss and I interact with him more than everyone…second only to Kyran. After Helena, I just really, really appreciate how…what’s the word?” Her brow furrows. She puts the maple syrup back. “Sane?Yeah. Sane. I appreciate how sane my new main boss is.”

“Mora. Please.”

“What?” Her fingers have latched around the pathetic bottle of fakeness.

I present the elite,glass, beautiful bottle of maple syrup. “Please.”

“That’s eight dollars. This is three.”

“What price would you put on your big sister’s joy?”

Morana scans me. “Dollar.”

My heart, it weeps. And the sorrow must reflect on my face because Morana deflates, puts the fake sugar back in favor of the good stuff, and mutters, “If I don’t like this better and my pancake breakfasts are ruined, I’m dropping you off at a thrift store.”

“Refine your taste buds. Once Zakery and I are married, you’ll be living in the lap of luxury.”

“We already live in the lap of luxury, Mae.This—” She references the dark hardwood and umber ceilings. “—is where we shop. There are flower beds and hanging peonies up and down every street. Town-wide no smoking rules.Thisis luxury. And you know what luxury offers?” She grabs the sad bottle. “Plain old corn syrup. Made from corn. Good old corn.”

Good old corn.

“What about good old koalas?” I ask.

Throwing her head back, Morana groans. “Fine. Get your stupid koala cereal.Butif you don’t like it, you still have to eat it.Allof it. By yourself.”

Oh no. I’ll have to eat my organic chocolate cereal without any help. How will I ever survive?

Grinning, I go back and retrieve my poor neglected marsupial.

Chapter 24

---