Page 38 of A Reluctant Boy Toy
“It’s strange and wonderful, isn’t it? To look into the eyes of a natural predator. I hate to see them in a cage, though. That takes the joy out of it for me. I hate zoos. So does Bast.”
Speaking of Sebastian. “Something happened to Sebastian today, didn’t it?”
“I’m sorry.” Her gaze lowered. “I can’t talk about that.”
“When I saw him, he seemed truly shaken. I recognized the look.” I turned just in time to watch him photograph the moment the sun dropped below the horizon. “Is he feeling better now?”
“I really can’t say.” She glanced at her phone. “What time is our food coming?”
Neatly deflected. I checked the time. “It’ll arrive at the central clearing in about five minutes. I’ll take my van and go get it. I won’t be gone long. Promise neither of you will approach the kennel without me.”
“Why don’t you let me go? Stay here and enjoy the last bit of light. Let Sebastian get a picture of you with Morrigan.”
I shuddered involuntarily. “I don’t think so.”
“How come? He’s got a great eye.” All the color drained from her face. “Oh my heavens. That sounded…Was that offensive? At the least it feels massively insensitive. I am so sorry.”
“It’s nothing,” I reassured her. “I’ve heard far worse.”
Her face flooded.
“Anyway, that was a great idea. You can pick up the food.” While she got her bearings, I did a quick check. She’d only had half a glass of wine, so she should be fine to drive. “I ordered a family meal and some pastries from a restaurant called Bistro. Here’s the van key.”
She took it from me with a salute. “Got it. Thank you for the opportunity to be of service. I won’t let you down, sir.”
“You’re kind of a smart-ass, huh?” I liked her. Maybe she was Sebastian’s Morrigan.
“Affirmative, sir. Don’t let this sweet feminine exterior fool you. My heart is as cold and black as iced espresso and twice as bitter.” She turned away, hesitated, then turned back. “Why don’t you want Sebastian to take your picture?”
“I don’t much like how I look.” I gave her the unvarnished truth.
“Okay.” Her lips twisted wryly. “But a good photo tells you as much about the photographer as the subject. Wouldn’t it be interesting to find out how Sebastian sees you?”
“I…” I didn’t know what to say to that. “Maybe.”
“Do it. If you don’t like what you see, that’s what the little trash can icon is for.” She gave me two thumbs up, spun around, and then ran to my van. I watched her drive away from the bluff, unaware Sebastian and Morrigan were close until he spoke.
“Did Molly go for the food?”
“Yeah, the service has probably left it with security by now.” I steeled myself. “Molly said I should let you get a couple pictures of me and Morrigan.”
“Awesome.”
I asked because I was curious.
Curious and afraid.
What if Sebastian’s pictures confirmed my worst fears?
What if I looked like a monster to Sebastian?
“Family portrait? I’m your guy. How about we go over there?” He pointed to a spot next to the wolf cage where the light was fading but still good enough. “Down on the grass, Mr. Wilder. This won’t hurt a bit.”
He called me Morrigan’s emotional support human and snapped a picture. He asked me to think about what Morrigan meant to me and took another. After the first five photos or so, he made me forget he was holding a camera.
That was his gift.
While he took our picture, there was a moment where Morrigan and I were eye-to-eye, and it was as if I could read everything she wanted to give me in her expression: her heart, her trust, and her protection. I felt the same. I loved her so much, so unconditionally, it made my heart hurt. I hoped Sebastian captured that.
