Page 35 of Campfires & Canines
“This was more fun when we were talking about moving in together, and not about, you know.”
“That tool?” she fills in. “I agree. I’m one hundred percent on board with the roommates idea.”
“It would be so fun.” My mood lightens.
“We can bake, craft, play cozy games, talk shit about the boys.”
A giggle escapes me. "You know, I met this cute guy in town. Maybe I should take him up on his offer of a coffee date."
"You totally should! Screw Slate. You deserve all the coffee dates."
"Or I'll be a spinster. When I’m old, I'll live in your basement after you marry Cedar."
Marigold snorts. "I think the basement is reserved for Onyx."
"I’ll live there with him. It wouldn't be so bad. We could play video games, and I can be Auntie Hazel to your kids."
"You'll be Auntie Hazel to them no matter what." She squeezes my hand.
"Thanks,"
"Incoming," she murmurs.
Cedar, Onyx, and Slate are all approaching. Slate looks away, markedly showing he doesn't want to be here. Marigold was right – screw him!
Onyx throws his arm over Slate's shoulder, jostling him. "Look who we found lurking." Slate pushes him off.
"How was your morning?" Cedar asks Marigold, sitting beside her.
"Good, thanks. You?" She blushes. I wonder if he notices.
Cedar launches into some explanation about ladybugs. Marigold is fascinated, but I tune him out.
Slate is smiling at Cedar and Marigold, but when he glances at me, he stops. My stomach plummets.
"Gotta get back to the kids. We're going to be helping with the coop, remember? See you guys at dinner." Marigold’s hand lingers on Cedar’s shoulder before she jogs away, her long braid swinging behind her.
Onyx has an easy grin. "Want to hang out, Hazel?"
I glance at Slate. He’s glaring at Onyx, his jaw tight.
"Sure." I don't mind irritating him and I have a feeling Onyx will be on board with it too.
Slate gathers up our two plates. "I'm going back to work too. See you later."
"You don't have to do that." Scowling, I reach for our plates.
"I'm going to go grab some food anyway. It's no trouble." He strides away. Clearly, he can’t tolerate breathing the same air as me after my blunder last night.
"I'm heading to the garden," Cedar says.
"Oh, can I see the garden?" I jump at the chance.
"I'll give you a tour." Onyx offers his arm as we stand.
I’m impressed he’s being such a gentleman. The jokes seem to wane after Slate leaves. We walk along in silence. I enjoy the closeness, but it's not the same as with Slate. We follow Cedar through the trellis archway covered in little white flowers.
I glance between the brothers. They're an interesting contrast. Cedar's hair is lighter and his skin is a darker golden tan. He could pass as a surfer. Onyx looks more like a gamer, like maybe he wore eyeliner in middle school. His ears are studded with black hexagons. He’s objectively handsome, they both are. But they’re too broad, tooblonde, like Prince Charming. Not my type. There’s something about Slate’s sharp features I can’t resist.
