Page 16 of With the Stars

“If you were nicer to your human mate, maybe he’d be nicer to you.” Key arched an eyebrow at Gray. “Getting all growly and demanding is only going to piss Henry off.”

Gray gritted his teeth and muttered something under his breath. “You’re good to go out?”

“I am. Usual location, please.”

“Ohhh. Now it makes sense. You always wanted the Knight area because he lives there.”

“No, he works there. He owns a cafe.”

“Does he?” Key’s eyes lit up. “Cakes and pastries as well?” Minho nodded. “Can you bring some back? And coffee, too. I’m on the night shift and I need some sugary goodness to get me through with dumb and dumber here.”

“There is only me and I’m neither of those,” Gray growled.

“No, you’re both of them.” Key fluttered his eyes at Minho. “Please?.” When Minho nodded, Key grinned and went back to work.

Gray snorted and shook his head. “Those apple turnover things would be nice.”

“I’ll see what he has left over when he closes.”

“Hang on.” Key swung back around to face him. “If you met him thirty years ago, how old is he?”

“He’s almost fifty.”

Key’s eyes went wide. “Wow. You waited that long for him. What if his wife hadn’t died?”

“Then I would still be waiting. I had no intention of breaking his marriage apart. What kind of vampire would I be to cause them both pain?”

“But he could have died and you would never have mated him.”

“Yes. I was willing to accept that. As long as he was happy, then I was happy for him.”

“What about you, though? Didn’t it hurt you, seeing him and knowing you couldn’t be with him?” Key leaned forward in his chair, his eyes focused on Minho. “Or did you stay away?”

“I made a decision to watch over him and his family. If I couldn’t be with him then I wanted to make sure he had a good life with those he loved.”

“That’s… It must have been painful for you at times.”

Shrugging, Minho gave Key a small smile. “I accepted it. Peter and Diane had a good life together and raised two boys. It hurts to know he went through the loss of his wife, but now we have the chance to build something together. I don’t regret my decision, Key, and if I was faced with the same situation, I’d do the same thing. Being someone’s mate isn’t about putting my wants and needs first. Being a good mate is also making sure heor she is happy and healthy and content. Peter was all of those with Diane. Why would I take that away from them?”

“But you’re mated now?”

“We are.” Minho nodded.

“He, er, looks, you know, older?” Key fidgeted. “I’m not saying he’s too old, but he’ll look older than you. People will talk.”

“Let them. I don’t care what others think. I only care what Peter thinks. As my mate, he is my priority. Him and his children.”

“You know what? I’m glad you finally have a life with him. It can’t have been easy to step aside and watch him have a family with someone else, yet you did, so yeah. I’m happy for you.” Key turned back to his computer. “You should bring them around one night. I’ll cook.”

“That would be nice. Thank you. This is a new world for them.”

“Oh yeah. Been there, done that.” Key waved his thanks away. “Let me know when you can all make it and we’ll set it up. Usual area, Minho, and don’t forget the coffee and cakes.”

Minho appeared near Peter’s cafe, saw him serving customers, smiling and talking. He took his fill, watching his mate, then began his route of the area. Movement caught his attention and Minho wasn’t sure what it was about the man until he saw him glance to check up and down the street, then disappear into an alley.

Only it wasn’t any man. It was Rex.

Minho moved location and stood by the alley entrance. Glancing around the corner, he watched Rex jog down the alley, then duck into a doorway. Following, Minho made sure to stay far enough away so Rex wouldn’t see him, and when he reached the doorway, he quickly glanced inside, checking the area.

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