Page 50 of Hot Monster Summer

So when she announced she wanted all three of us—me, the wolf, and the walking tree—my first instinct was to wrap my tentacles around her and drag her to the depths of my lake forever.

But I’d rather have a third of Lily than none at all.

And watching her face light up when she swims in my waters… I’d agree to almost anything to keep seeing that.

I glide beneath the water, my tentacles trailing behind me as I contemplate this new arrangement. My head breaks the surface near the shore where Oren and Kaelen are arguing.

Again.

I drag myself partially onto the shore, water cascading off my skin. “If you two are done, maybe we should finish setting up before she wakes up.”

They both turn to glare at me.

I’m not exactly the peacemaker of our unlikely trio; that’s usually Oren, but Lily’s due to step out onto the porch any minute now, with a mug of coffee in hand, and we’re supposed to be showing her we can get along.

“The water-dweller speaks sense for once,” Kaelen mutters, running a hand through his shaggy fur, which looks like it’s been carefully combed.

Grooming Kaelen’s fur was something I used to love doing.

So soft, warm, and perfect.

These past few weeks, as I have interacted with him more and more, I have realized what a fool I’ve been.

But now, it’s too late.

Or is it?

I catch him watching me sometimes, and I wonder.

I quickly avert my gaze, focusing instead on the ridiculous sign we created. "Lily’s Monsters" in mismatched letters—Oren's contribution made from actual living flowers, Kaelen's part from dyed animal hide, and my section crafted from polished shells and pearls.

“Look, we agreed to give this a try. Can we manage that, or do I need to drown you both?”

Oren rumbles deeply, “Small one makes threats.”

“I’m not small where it counts,” I reply to the walking compost, one tentacle curling suggestively in the air.

Kaelen makes a huffing sound, which I pointedly ignore.

We’ve spent the morning preparing, setting up a picnic area, gathering wood for tonight’s fire, and generally trying not to murder each other.

“She’s coming,” Kaelen says suddenly, his nose twitching.

We all straighten up, attempting to look casual and failing miserably.

Lily emerges, sunglasses perched on her head, wearing a yellow bikini that makes my chromatophores shift with excitement. She stops dead when she sees all three of us together, her eyes widening.

“What’s… happening here?” she asks cautiously, looking between us like she’s witnessing a miracle—or preparing for disaster.

“Surprise!” I call out, forcing enthusiasm that isn’t entirely fake.

Just mostly.

“We thought you might enjoy a bit of fun. With all of us. Together.”

Her skeptical eyebrow rises. “And you haven’t killed each other yet?”

“The day is young,” Kaelen snickers.

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