Page 36 of Shift of Morals
Moira tapped a pencil on the desk. “She’s from a royal line. Swan shifter.”
“Ugh. Of course she’s a swan shifter.”
Three pairs of eyes turned my way. Moira’s lips twitched. “We should have tagged her as one when we first saw her. That neck. Dead giveaway.”
True. Gianna’s neck was long and graceful, and her bones were slender and delicate. Simone was smaller but sturdier.
“Swans are mean as hell,” Ash said. “And territorial. If she thinks you’re making a move on Caelan, Gianna will get territorial.”
“I’m not making moves on anyone.”
The doorbell rang.
“Except for him,” Moira said under her breath.
Ben walked in, his soothing magic sweeping across the store. I closed my eyes and smiled. Every time he came around, all I felt was peace.
He smiled when he spotted me. “Morning. I hope it’s not too early.”
“Nah. We just opened, but almost everything is still closed, so we won’t get any customers for a while.” I headed to the coffee pot and poured him a mug.
“Here you go.” Black and hot, the way he liked it.
Ben took the mug and curled his large hands around it. “Thank you.”
“What brings you in,” Moira said. “Searching for anything in particular?”
Ben grinned. “Just your lovely Floromancer.”
My cheeks colored. Ben and I hadn’t gone on a single date, and he hadn’t asked me out yet, but there was something between us—a spark we had yet to explore.
“You found her,” Moira said.
“Can I steal her for breakfast?” Ben sipped his coffee.
“Please,” Ash said. “She can take the entire day off. We have it under control.”
“That’s not necessary,” I said.
“I won’t take you away from the shop for the entire day. Breakfast is good for now.” He glanced at me. “Ready to go?”
I downed the rest of my coffee. “Sure am.”
He slung an arm over my shoulders, pulling me into the warmth of his body. “My treat.”
“Bye, Evie!” My team said in unison. “Either be good or be good at it!”
Ben chuckled as he held the door open for me.
The shifter had me back at the shop by 10:30, leaving me with a small charm he said was good for grounding. Comforting magic pulsed from the small stone I’d tucked into my pocket. Heleft me at the door, one finger tugging on a loose strand of hair, saying he’d come by in the next day or so. His blue eyes crinkled at the edges as he bent to brush a kiss over my cheek, the spot tingling when he rose.
Catcalls greeted me when I walked into the shop.
Moira plopped her head onto her hands. “How’s our hot little healer?”
“So hot,” Tess said dreamily.
Moira grinned. “Tess! You little minx.”
