Page 35 of Hot in Witch City
"Does that mean your roommates will be there?" Her wary tone noted her skepticism.
I scowled. That wasn’t what I wanted, but if they needed to be there for her to agree, I’d deal with it. "I see them all the time and feed them, but if you feel more comfortable with those knuckleheads around, sure, I'll invite them. And Nova, of course."
“It can’t be just Nova and Diego,” Gianna said with a laugh. “Otherwise, that seems like a double date.”
Would that be so wrong? “I’ll invite Lucas, too.”
"That sounds—nice. Thanks, Sebastian."
"I'll need to figure out a night when we can all get together. Is there a better one for you?"
"Weeknights are best. The club is busy on the weekend, and I like to be there early to make sure there are no snafus."
"I'll make it happen."
It tooka lot of coaxing my roommates to adjust schedules so I could plan this dinner as soon as possible. We arranged it on a weeknight, which was slower for everyone, and I spent even more time than usual contemplating the possibilities for the menu. Ultimately, I decided for a family-style Italian dinner rather than one too ostentatious, with me showing off my culinary skills as I aimed for a casual, comfortable setting.
When Gianna walked over with Nova and my pulse skyrocketed, I sensed that goal had already imploded. My wolf went wild chantingmate, mate, mate.
I gritted my teeth and tried to get him to settle down. Not easy when a dogged wolf was eager to claim his fated mate.
"You look beautiful, Gianna." I walked over and held her upper arms while I kissed her cheek, then the other in the European style.
Her fragrance infused me like a shot of adrenaline. I closed my eyes and let it roll through me. It was as soothing as drinking a hot beverage after coming in from the cold.
“Thanks.” Her smile was just as elating.
Nova laughed. "I’ve never had that kind of greeting from you, Seb."
"Pshaw," I dismissed. "You live here."
"I'll be the one—and only one—to greet you with a proper kiss," Diego said and planted a kiss on her lips.
Lucas groaned and teased, "Get a room." He rubbed the top of Shadow’s head, as the cat had slipped into a free spot pressed beside Lucas.
Nova clucked her tongue. "We already have two in this house." She turned to Diego and grinned. "Which one shall we continue in later?”
"Both?" he suggested.
Lucas made a gagging sound. "Couples. Make it stop."
Gianna laughed, a musical sound that warmed my soul. “It smells delicious in here. Did you prepare it all, Sebastian?”
“Of course.” I pushed my chest out an inch. “I won’t let them in the kitchen with me when I’m working. Can’t leave a professional’s job to amateurs.”
“We get it, you can cook.” Diego leaned forward with a mock bow. “All hail Sebastian’s culinary magic.”
Lucas bowed forward. “We’re not worthy,” he quoted Wayne’s World.
“Fine, you’ll go without,” I countered with a grin.
“Screw that. It smells too good. I’m not missing this meal.” Lucas strode over and took a seat at the table. Shadow jumped off the couch when he stood and darted up the stairs.
After everyone was seated at our table, with Gianna next to me, of course, I introduced the menu for the night and suggested some good wines with which to pair them. “To start, we have artichoke bruschetta. Then a tomato, mozzarella, and basil salad. For theprimi, we have the classic spaghetti carbonara. Forsecondi,there’s chicken pizzaiola. And then for dessert, a tiramisu trifle.
“Ooh, sounds scrumptious,” Gianna said.
While we ate, we chatted about life.
