Page 93 of Partnering with the Artist

I roll my lips together.

She continues, “Come on. He’s agrown man, but he thinkshe’s an alpha wolf? My partner and I can’t get enough of his utter delusion. You know, we went to that Sunny Con in your town a month or so ago. He chased afurry. Hi-larious. The footage I got from that is my second-best performing video this year.”

Kyran’s brows furrow. “If he’s getting dragged out of multiple events by security, that’s not going to look good for your brand, Moon.”

MoonWoof sighs. “You’re no fun. Last I checked, mybrandput me in fake rainbow fur while I whispered into a mic on camera, so I’m really not sure how much more hate I can worry about. Not all of us can be naturally charming genius gamers, Kyran. Some of us have to rely on the scandals.”

Kyran spares her a look, sighs, and turns off his phone. “My bad. I thought you were better than that.”

“Not really. I’m kind of a sellout.”

“Well, at least you’re honest.”

Zakery’s hand falls against the small of my back while I’m fixated on the exchange.

Blinking out of the daze, I locate his pale gray eyes.

“Hey,” he says, and my nerves settle. His smile warms me through. “Do you want to raid the snack tables and honor me with a dance?”

“I have no idea why you think I can dance in this. It’s a shock I’ve yet to fall on my face.”

“If you start to fall…” He pushes my hair back over my ear. “…I will catch you.”

The face I’ve yet to fall on blazes.

“We can also wander around until you see someone you’d like me to introduce you to.”

I laugh. “Oh sure. Because I’m known for staying upright when I meet celebrities for the first time.”

He ponders. “True, I’d prefer you not start a harem.”

“Um. Yeah. I think I have all the pack I need.”

“That you do.” Zakery hums, guiding me toward the food, hand firm around mine, in case I fall over all this perfectly reasonable tulle.

“I have an idea for what we can do after food,” I say.

“Oh? Do enlighten me, princess.”

“We could flag down a reporter,” I offer. “Give them abig scoop.”

He perks, turning from perusing the snacks to grin at me. “You want to mess with a reporter?”

My smile mellows. “Yeah, let’smesswith a reporter. What do you think we should tell them?”

“That I moonlight as a furry. You could still make me that cotton candy blue fursona. We could keep the joke going until—on one blustery winter morn while I’m putting on my paws—I look at you, concern rippling in my eyes, and say,Maelin, I don’t think this is a joke anymore.”

I genuinely think I’d rather make five hundred pairs of pants than ever attempt another fursuit. “Or…” I begin, “…we could tell them you’re getting married in a few hours.”

Eyes going wide, Zakery squeezes my hand. “Are…are we?”

“We could.”

“You want to?”

“I…do.”

Skeptical, Zakery steps in as close as my skirt will let him. “You do?”

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