Page 67 of The Fated Mate Bandit

Cufflink: Right. But I was thinking we should all go somewhere snowy for Christmas this year. So they could wear the sweaters.

I laugh.

Coin: Okay.

Me: Really? You’re going along with this?

Coin: We could get pictures taken or something.

Oh my God. I love my brothers.

Tinsel: We could get a matching sweater for Chime.

Cufflink: Yes! How much am I allowed to spend on these sweaters? I found some that are $300 each, and I think Quin will be mad if I buy those.

Sequin: Yes, Link. That’s ridiculous.

Coin: What do they look like?

Apparently, Coin is going to dote on our pups as much as he dotes on Chime. I don’t know why I thought he wouldn’t. I guess I was a little worried about him still being hung up on Lucas. I should have known that wouldn’t stand in the way of him spoiling his nieces and nephews.

Link sends the URL of the sweaters in question. They’re a deep blue with white stars and moons woven into an argyle pattern. They’re modeled by the cutest little wolf shifter puppies with pointy ears and bushy tails. Will our pups look like that?

Coin: I’ll buy them.

Cufflink: Wait! That’s not fair! I was going to buy them!

Sequin: No one is going to buy them. They’re too expensive.

Tinsel: We can each buy one. Except for Quin.

Sequin: They’re $300.

Cufflink: I just bought 4 of them! Ha! Take that, Coin!

Coin: I just bought 4 too.

Cufflink: Fuck.

Sequin: Ugh. How much did ya’ll just spend on sweaters the pups will grow out of in a few months and they can’t even wear at home?

I laugh all the way to my car.

29

LUCAS

Iget to spend the whole day making Silver’s house our home. I have lots of time, so I go through each task slowly, resting my swollen feet when I need to. I start by wiping down the walls. I’ve always liked clean walls. Next, I scrub the bathrooms. After rushing around at the diner, being able to take a break whenever I want is such a luxury. I even watch TV for a bit when I stop for lunch.

Maybe I could go to the library with Silver later and pick up some books. I’ll probably have lots of time to read.

I spend the afternoon getting dinner started and packing Silver’s lunch for tomorrow. Every once in a while, I get a text from Quin. He sends me short, funny videos and asks how my day is going. Silver sends me messages too. Just flirty little one-liners that make me feel loved. I enjoy my day of cooking and cleaning in solitude, with the occasional conversation over text. It’s nice.

At 4:30, I’m putting the lasagna in the oven, when there’s a knock at the door.

Is it Daryll? He left calmly with his money last weekend, and he hasn’t contacted me since. Did he deliberately show up unannounced when he knew Silver wouldn’t be here?

The front door opens.

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