Page 19 of Wolves & Watercolors
Instinctively, I take a deep breath. He smells like herbs - earthy basil, rosemary, and mint. I need another hit of that. I lean into him to take another lungful. Los Angeles would smell a lot nicer if they could turn that into a vape flavor. Cedar goes tense against me. Ah, crap. He asked me a question and I’m almost falling tits first into his lap.
“Sorry, yeah, I’m great. You smell good,” I whisper back, embarrassed the last part slipped out.
Every nerve in my body goes haywire when he lowers his face toward mine and breathes in my hair. It’s a good thing I’m already seated because my knees would have given out. He leans back, the smallest hint of a smile on his lips as he says, “You do too.”
My mouth opens but no words make it out. Did he think I was flirting with him? Was I? Did he mean to flirt back? Or is he just returning a compliment so I don’t feel stupid? My pulse races.
The conversation carries on around us, but Cedar’s eyes stay on me. I snap my jaw shut, but then lick my lips to try and prepare something to say. It’s no use. Those stormy eyes go to my mouth when my tongue darts out. Oh, that was the wrong thing to do.
“Aurora?” someone asks.
The trance is broken and Cedar looks away. I’m a muddled mess, stomach clenched, heart hammering, skin tingling.
“Rory?” Hazel asks, sounding concerned.
“Yeah, sorry, what?”
“Any last minute name suggestions for the parents?” Onyx asks. “They’re gonna announce the baby name at the party.”
“Shower,” Marigold corrects.
“But you don’t know if it’s a boy or a girl.” I cock my head, my brows furrowing.
Hazel’s smile is secretive. “Yeah, we wanted a name that works for both.” Slate leans forward and kisses her temple.
“Nature names, right?” I ask.
“I said Storm,” Onyx says.
“I still think Jade would be good,” Jasper says.
Onyx throws his hand into the air. “I second that!”
Marigold shushes him. “You just want a name like yours.”
Shrugging, I give Hazel my best charming smile. “You know I already recommended Rock.”
“Rock,” Marigold repeats, squeezing her eyes shut as she smothers a giggle against Jasper’s shoulder.
“Otherwise, Fox has become a pretty normal name. Or Lynx,” I suggest.
Hazel exhales, shaking her head. “You guys are all ridiculous. I swear, we have this handled.”
“Sure, but if you don’t have all your options you can’t know if you picked the best one,” Onyx says with a patronizing smile. Hazel reaches down and flicks the top of his head.
“What about River or Skye?” I add.
“Rowan, Sage, Sorrel, Juniper, Clover,” Cedar says.
“Those are good!” Marigold raises her eyebrows, twisting to see Hazel and Slate’s reactions.
Hazel’s head falls back against Slate’s shoulder. “You guys can save those for your own kids. We’re good!”
“I do like Sage,” Marigold says, running her nails down Jasper’s ribs. He leans in, whispering into her ear. She shivers.
“Geez,” I mutter, pointedly looking away from the display.
Cedar chuckles, tipping his head close again. “They’re always like that. You’ll get used to it.” His breath ghosts over my cheek.
