I cut my eyes at him. “Did you steal it?”
He flashed that snaggletooth. “Me? Steal something? How offensive.”
Lake made a rough sound.
Oh my god.He actually laughed at something Rowan said. A sign he didn’t hate him. That they were bonding, if only a little.
“By the gods, it never stops,” Rowan said, wiping at my face again. “I think you’ve sprung a leak.”
“I’m just really happy.” I smiled at him through blurry eyes, then looked at Lake. “Having both of you here with me means everything.”
A soft whine left Lake as he nuzzled the side of my head. Rowan looked at us, then moved his gaze to the fire. I wasn’t the best at reading people. I could be pretty damn oblivious. But I sensed Rowan was hiding again.
I grabbed his hand. “That includes you too, you stubborn non-bandit.”
His sharp features smoothed. “I’m better company than the wolf. We should’ve left him behind.”
Lake huffed. “Says the one who came to me at the inn and suggested this whole thing. Insisting I be here too because you knew it’d make Evan happy.”
I flipped back around to Rowan. “You Liar McLiar face. You said it was Lake’s idea.”
“Guilty.” Rowan cracked a smile before grabbing a basket. “Enough of this sentimental shit. I’m starving.”
“Me too.” I patted my belly. “Let’s dig in.”
Our feast consisted of turkey, cheese, and tomato sandwiches, along with oranges, figs, and chestnuts that we roasted over the fire. They didn’t say much as we ate. Neither of them were chatterboxes. Which was fine because I talked enough for all three of us, telling them about the café’s opening day and how it’d lit a fire under my butt to return to my own café and make headway on new projects, like an outside patio, a bigger library, and introducing grab-and-go services. Maybe even delivery eventually too.
Rowan refilled his flask with rum while Lake and I sipped wine straight from the bottle, handing it back and forth.
“I want to revamp the menu too,” I said, then bumped Rowan’s side. “Like adding spicy desserts. Truffles but also pies and cakes.”
“Gross,” Rowan said. “Don’t torment your customers like that.”
I scoffed and swallowed another mouthful of wine. It tasted okay but not as good as Briar’s.
“Careful,” Lake said, gently taking the bottle from me. “Don’t drink too much.”
Rowan smirked. “Can’t handle your liquor?”
“We can’t all be hard-core, rum-drinking thieves like you.” I hiccupped. “Crap. I think it’s too late.”
Rowan had just taken another swig from his flask when he laughed. He tried to cover his mouth, but rum shot from between his fingers and dribbled onto the blanket. I started giggling, which caused more hiccups.
“If only Maddox could see you now,” Lake said, rubbing my spine as I held my breath to try to stop the damn hiccupping. “He’ll be sad he missed it.”
“Drunk muffin.” Rowan took a swig of rum. “Could be your new title.”
I sputtered out a breath and fell victim to another string of giggles. Fortunately, the hiccups stopped. Eating more would help, so I ate a few figs. I wasn’t drunk, but I had a nice buzz going.
“I can’t believe it’s our last night in Exalos.” I tilted my head to the night sky. The full moon was so bright. “I’m ready to leave though. I wanna go home.”
“As do I.” Lake’s wolf ears drooped. “I miss our cottage.”
“And our men in the cottage?”
“They’re your men. Ones I’m honored to share you with.” Lake ate a chestnut and stared at the fire as he chewed. “But I do consider them my family and miss them terribly.”
My heart rose into my throat. “That’s all I’ve ever wanted. For us to be a family.” I glanced at Rowan. He stilled from where he’d been about to take another drink. “A family you’re a part of now too. If you want to be.”
