Page 7 of Shift of Morals
“It feels way too much like a romance novel to say cock.”
I held up a hand. “Please. No.”
She tapped her pen on the wood. “Have you seen the bride before?”
“Never. There aren’t many women in the Keep to begin with. But when he came to the shop and even when he was at home, I never saw any females other than Simone and one of his mated shifters around.”
“Maybe she’s not from the Keep.”
“It doesn’t matter. She’s Caelan’s fiancée, and we’ll meet her soon enough.”
Moira grinned. “I can’t wait to see how this meeting goes.”
I crumpled a duplicate receipt and tossed it at her. “You’ll behave. Caelan is throwing enough money at us to sustain the shop for years. We will both be on our best behavior. Promise?”
Moira sighed but made an x motion over her chest. “Cross my heart.”
I narrowed my eyes, but Moira wore an innocent expression. “Two days from now,” I reminded her. “Wear business professional.”
“I’ll look like a million bucks.”
I slung my purse over my shoulder. “Just look normal, please. And like we know what we’re doing.”
“That too.” She nodded eagerly, and a knot of worry uncurled in my stomach.
“I’m heading home. Mind closing up shop?”
“Not at all. Tess and Ash should be back shortly. We’ll work on Hattie’s bouquet, so you won’t have to do as much tomorrow.”
I shot her a grateful smile. “Thanks.”
“You got it, boss.” She waved me away. “Get out of here. We’ve got it under control.”
I’m glad one of us did.
Chapter
Three
Seeing Simone rattled me more than I thought it would. She was a harsh reminder of Caelan. His power, his presence, his ability to influence my life in ways I hated…his Omega was only one piece of his power. I liked her, but I wouldn’t be upset if she stopped coming around.
Not that she would. Simone was Caelan’s official messenger for wedding info.
I sighed and tapped my fingers against the steering wheel. My greenhouse awaited me. I couldn’t wait to dig my fingers deep into the soil and rid myself of thoughts of Caelan and all the conflicting feelings he inspired in me.
But when I pulled into my driveway, a sleek black car sat in my spot. I tensed, carefully navigating around the vehicle so I wouldn’t block it in. The thing could only belong to one person, and I wasn’t in the mood to deal with him.
I sat in my vehicle for a long moment contemplating leaving again, before sliding out of the seat and heading straight for my greenhouse. Caelan’s presence tickled against my awareness. He wasn’t inside my house, but he wasn’t on the front porch either.
I made my way through the yard, unsurprised when Caelan stepped into my path from the side of the house. Veering around him, I kept walking.
But his presence struck me like lightning. I hadn’t seen him since the night Finn had found me—the night Caelan had given me the tools to save my life in the form of a dress attuned to my unique magic.
He was tall, broad-shouldered, and lean. Tousled dark hair framed a stunning face with high cheekbones and generous lips, but the thing that had always made me mute was Caelan’s eyes. Storm gray and gold-flecked, those eyes had always stopped me in my tracks.
The Shifter Lord’s form was barely restrained violence, his staggering magic tightly leashed. To my surprise, he looked tired.
My lip curled. His future bride must be keeping him up at night.
