Page 85 of Just A Little Magic

“Why you gotta ruin our sweet moment with lies? I don’t snore.”

“You, my sexy man, snore like a bear.”

“You think I’m sexy?”

“You think you’re not?”

“I only care about what you think.”

“Check your ego, but yes.”

I pulled Owen into a fierce hug and buried my face in his hair. He smelled like citrus and musk. It was a heady combination. His body melted into mine, and I felt all the ways a Daddy was supposed to feel.

“I’m going to miss you too, baby. You’re going to come back with such great ideas for the lodge and relaxed after having time away with the boys. It’ll be so much fun. And Anders needs a weekend, so hopefully, he finds a way to get up there. He mentioned to Rory that his boyfriend actually threatened to fire him.”

“Jesus. That relationship is the poster childfor why mixing business and pleasure is such a bad idea. It’s the scenario I was worried about back in college.”

“It is the worst-case scenario, but don’t you think the people involved matter too? If the couple is toxic, then it’s doomed.”

Owen shoved himself out of my embrace and looked at me through narrowed eyes. “If you think Anders is toxic, then you can fuck right off with that bullshit. His shithead boyfriend is toxic. Anders is kind and sweet and only wants other people to be happy. He just doesn’t know when to let go and tell the boyfriend to get fucked. But Anders isnottoxic.”

Owen glared daggers at me, and Elizabeth popped up out of nowhere on the foyer table and hissed at me, complete with puffed fur and arched back. She even took a few swipes.

“No, no, I absolutely didn’t mean to say Anders was toxic, and I don’t think he is. I do think the relationship he’s in is toxic and his boyfriend is a complete dick. I don’t understand why he stays, but it’s not for me to decide to do something about it. Gabe has shared how worried Rory is about him, but that’s all. I’m sorry I wasn’t clear.” I rubbed my hands up and down Owen’s arms before reaching out to scratch Elizabeth.

“Thank you for clarifying,” Owen said, somewhat mollified. “I don’t understand it either. And thank you for paying for the rooms and the spa. That was nice of you.”

“You are there for business, and so it should be covered.”

“And there’d be no way Anders could come if you hadn’t with as little as the dick pays him.”

“I’ve told him we could always use someone with his organizational skills at Strega, but he said he wasn’t making the mistake of mixing employment and friendship again.” Owen grimaced but stayed silent. “I mean it. He has an open offer of employment.”

“Maybe he’ll take you up on it,” Owen said with a sigh. “I’m going to pick up Jakob and Rory.”

“Not letting Jakob drive you all?” I couldn’t stifle my laugh at Owen’s horrified expression.

“Oh, hell no. That man is a menace behind the wheel. Speed limits are suggestions, and he gets too distracted while my life flashes before my eyes. Rory, as you know, hates to drive, so that leaves me, which is infinitely better than Jakob driving.”

“Yeah, Reed says the same thing,” I said with a chuckle. “But his shitty driving is how they met, so maybe not the worst.” I leaned down to give Owen a soft kiss. “I need you to be careful on the road. I love you, babe.”

“I love you too.”

He gave me another kiss, but this was not nearly as sweet or chaste. Heat pooled in my stomach, and I regretted that there was no time to drag him back upstairs.

“I’ll be careful.” Another kiss curled my toes. “And I’ll see you on Saturday.” Owen turned to Elizabeth for one last snuggle. “And I’ll see you on Saturday too. Be good for Daddy.”

Elizabeth cocked her head, narrowed her golden eyes, and I swear she hmphed before jumping out of Owen’s arms to return to her catio.

CHAPTER TWENTY-TWO

OWEN

“Holy shit, this place is niiiiiiiice,” Jakob said with a whistle. “Your baby daddy wants to get lucky when you get home.”

Rory looked between Jakob and me with a bemused expression. The lodge’s exterior was beautiful, with the imposing three-story structure dominating the landscape. Off in the distance, Alpine meadows were crisscrossed with lifts and pulls.

“I don’t think Elizabeth considers either of us her Daddy.” For Rory’s benefit, I added, “I’m pretty certain she considers herself a coequal part of the relationship.

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