Chapter Seventeen
The Brewed Muffin—Take Two
“Everything’s ready out here,” Gertrude said from the kitchen doorway. “People are already waiting outside for us to open. The line is huge! It’s so exciting, yes?”
“Yeah. Exciting.” More like nerve-racking. I raised my hand in the air and did a little pumping motion. “Go, team. And stuff.”
She laughed and returned to the main dining room.
Having been through it once before didn’t make it any easier. Panic set in whenever I thought of the crowds of people and that huge line Gertrude mentioned. Had we baked enough cookies? Cupcakes? I scanned the platters we’d been working on all morning in preparation for the big day. More nerves.
“Breathe, love,” I imagined Briar saying as he pulled me into his arms.
I missed those arms. I missed the smell of his skin.
“Evan?” William asked. “Are you well?”
“Y-Yeah.” I snapped out of my daze. “I’m just freaking out. A little.”
“So am I,” he said, exhaling. “Edwin will be here with his family.”
“If he hasn’t fallen for you yet, he will after today. I mean, look at these perfect cupcakes.” I pointed to the platter of vanilla ones topped with chocolate buttercream. “How could he not?”
“I learn from the best.” William pushed his glasses farther up his nose, and there was a slight tremble in his hand. “My… my parents won’t be able to come today. They’re attending a luncheon at Lord Delmont’s estate. He oversees the mines and is quite wealthy because of it.”
I heard his heartache over that fact. Saw it in his eyes too. His parents had chosen some rich jerk wad over supporting their son. I made a fist and gently bumped his arm. “We got this. Today will be amazing.”
He smiled. It was shaky. “Yes. It will. We’ve worked too hard for it not to be.”
“Exactly.”
“Thank you, Evan. For everything.” William squeezed my shoulder. “In our short time together, you’ve become a good friend. I’ll miss you when you leave.”
Which would be first thing the following morning. I only needed to stay for opening day. William would then be in charge of hiring other bakers and baristas for the kitchen and training them. I was homesick like crazy, but…
“Yeah.” My throat did that dumb wobbly thing. “I’ll miss you too.”
“Cavalry coming through!” a voice boomed before Callum entered the kitchen. Duke trailed behind him. “We’re here to offer our incredible services to our muffin lord.”
“And to sample anything you need us to,” Duke added, already scoping out the treats. “To ensure it isn’t poisoned, you see.”
Their presence took away the last of my nerves. Gave me courage. The only thing that’d make the moment perfect was if my men were here too. I squeezed the protection stone and took a deep breath, then another. I sensed Briar, Maddox, and Lake from within the necklace. Their energy was imbued within the leather strap, magical stone, and the skillfully crafted wood housing it.
Rowan was missing though. I wanted to feel him with me too.
“There you go, looking like a sad toad again.”
I flipped around, a smile instantly bursting across my face.
Rowan sat on the counter beside the pantry, one leg dangling down and his elbow propped on his raised knee. No hood or mask to hide behind. His dark auburn hair remained pulled to the side and clasped together with a golden cuff as always. What drew my attention the most? The way his gaze lingered on me, the pools of gold warm and maybe even alight with the same joy I felt too. One derived from seeing him.
“How did you get in here?” William asked him, then emitted an exasperated gasp. “And do you truly have your muddy boot on that counter where we make food ? By the gods, do you have no manners or sense of decency?”
“Afraid not.” Rowan hopped down and wiped once where his boot had been. “There. All clean.”
I pressed my lips together to keep from laughing. William’s head looked like it was about to pop off.
“Oh!” I held up a finger before rushing over to the prepared desserts, looking for one tray in particular. “I made you something.”
“For me?” Rowan appeared beside me. God, he was so damn quiet.
“Mhm. I’ve been mulling over recipes for the past few days and had a spark of inspiration early this morning. I made a super-small batch of these in between our baking for the grand opening. William was my taste tester.”
William smiled. “It was difficult to stop at one.”
“I wanna be a taste tester.” Callum pouted.
The pout was deadly. Unable to resist, I handed him a muffin. “Here. Cranberry and banana.” A combination of Briar’s and Maddox’s favorite flavors. It was a way for me to feel closer to them while being so far away.
Callum beamed and ruffled my hair before tearing into it. Duke gave me a pitiful look and got one too. They were like overgrown children.
“Now, back to you,” I told Rowan, then continued my hunt for the treat I’d made especially for him.
He frowned. “I don’t like sweets.”
“I know, but you’ll like this one. I hope.” Finding the tray of spicy truffles, I grabbed one and faced him. “Dark chocolate with cayenne pepper and filled with rum-infused caramel. I added a sprinkle of crushed pistachios on top. Here. Try one.”
Rowan glanced at it. “That’s chocolate.”
“Yep.”
“And peppers.”
“Double yep.”
“Two things I said would be revolting together.”
“Uh-huh.” I moved the truffle closer to his lips and made my voice higher in pitch. “Eat me, Rowan. I was made with love.”
“Gross. I hate love.” Rowan made a face. But as Lake had pointed out… his eyes said something different than his lips. They radiated warmth, just like they had in my dream the night before.
Keeping my voice in that same pitch, I said, “But love loves you . Chocolate does too. Now, open up and eat me.”
“I’m only doing it to put an end to that voice.” Instead of taking the truffle, Rowan leaned forward and took a bite with it still in my hand, not taking his eyes off mine.
The eye contact, combined with his teeth sinking into the truffle, heated my blood and sent flutters through my belly. “Um. So? What do you think?”
His expression didn’t change as he chewed. “It’s just as I expected. Disgusting.”
“Oh.” I frowned at the truffles. “Damn. I thought I was onto something. I’ll keep working on it.”
He grabbed the tray off the counter that held the rest of the batch.
“What are you doing?” I asked.
“I’m taking these to spare your customers the horror of having to eat one.” He plucked the half-eaten one from my hand. “Taking that too. No trace left behind.”
Rowan then used the patio door to leave the café, taking every truffle with him.
“Can’t just admit he likes it, can he?” Duke said with a rumbling laugh.
I grinned. “Nope. But that’s Rowan. Stubborn to his core.” And I loved it about him.
I loved him . Too soon, maybe, but I felt the truth of it in my heart.
After William and I added last-minute touches to a tray of cupcakes, Gertrude opened the doors and let in the waiting patrons.
“It’s showtime,” I told William.
He looked like he was going to be sick.
Along with William and Gertrude, five other people helped out—taking orders, delivering food and coffee, and wiping down the tables to make room for the next group of customers. Callum and Duke carried orders to the tables, too, and were super popular with the female customers. Which, in turn, gave us more business. The ladies kept ordering more just so they had reason to stay and ogle them.
Around midday, a group of miners came in. The same ones we’d given food to before. I poked my head into the dining room and waved at them, happy that they’d accepted my invitation. The older man nodded to me before he and the others were shown to a table. The youngest of them, the guy with freckles, vibrated with excitement as he looked around at everything, eyes wide.
“I’ll cover their ticket,” I told Vera, the waitress about to take their orders. “Let them order whatever they want.”
“Yes, sir.”
Sir. It sounded so weird.
When Edwin and his family came in, William delivered their pastries and coffee. I’d told him to take a short break to sit with them, too, if he wanted. And I, of course, was nosy, so I peeked around the corner to get a look at the mysterious Edwin.
Damn.
Edwin was insanely gorgeous. Straight blond hair that brushed his shoulders and dressed in a deep purple suit perfectly tailored to his thin frame. He smiled as William approached their table and then gently tugged on William’s sleeve to encourage him to sit.
A pretty girl sat on Edwin’s other side and jumped up to hug William. The sister, I assumed. The older man and woman at the table motioned to their food, enthusiastically saying something I couldn’t hear. Given William’s blush, I knew they were complimenting him.
His own parents might’ve been unsupportive jerks, but he had a support system with Edwin’s family. They clearly adored him.
Smiling, I stopped being nosy and got back to work. Despite the earlier jitter of nerves, the grand opening was a massive success. By the time the last customer paid for their meal and left, all of us were on the brink of collapse.
“That was a long day,” William said, wiping at his forehead.
“Better get used to it, Mr. Boss Man.” I knuckle-bumped his arm. “Starting tomorrow, you’ll be running this place.”
“Luckily for me, I had an excellent mentor.”
“Okay, stop.” I turned to the counter and started wiping it down. “You’re gonna make me cry.”
He chuckled before washing the dishes. Gertrude and the other workers tidied up the dining room and the reading parlor, so the team effort had the place clean in no time. Afterward, we gathered our things and left the café. Gertrude barely said two words before dashing off to meet with her friends.
William and I then stood in front of the café, neither of us making a move to leave. The light of day still held on but was fading fast. Colors burst across the sky with the setting sun, streaks of orange, red, and hints of purple.
“Well.” William adjusted his glasses. “I suppose this is where we say good night.”
“Yeah,” I said, throat tight. “I’m leaving first thing in the morning and heading home. So I doubt I’ll get to see you again before I go.”
“I know.”
I hated goodbyes. Neither of us spoke for several seconds. Maybe he hated them too.
“Are you meeting Edwin after this?” I asked, delaying the inevitable.
“I am. His family invited me over to celebrate the solstice.”
“The winter solstice? I totally forgot that was today.” Time was a blur lately. “How will you celebrate?”
“Supper and card games,” he answered. “I’m quite wretched at cards. Which is precisely why Edwin loves playing against me. We’ll then light the Yule log and sit in front of the fire.”
“That sounds nice. I’m happy for you.” My chest ached at not being with Briar and Maddox for the holiday, but maybe Lake and I could cuddle in front of the fire with some wine or something. Even better if Rowan joined us, but chances of that were slim.
“Do you have any special plans?”
I shook my head. “Probably just going back to my room. After the long day, I wouldn’t mind falling into bed and sleeping for the next five days.”
William chuckled at that and tipped his head. “Farewell, Evan.”
I wavered in place. “Can I hug you?”
“I’d be quite offended if you didn’t.” He stepped forward and pulled me in for a hug. “This won’t be the last we see of each other. Perhaps I can visit Bremloc someday.”
“You better,” I murmured into his chest. “When I add new dishes and drinks to the menu, you’ll have to come and train for a few days. I can come back to Exalos too.”
“I look forward to it.”
After another hug and promises to visit each other soon, the two of us parted ways, with him heading in the opposite direction.
“You cryin’?” a voice came from above me.
I spun around and spotted Rowan on the lowest-hanging branch of the tree. I wiped at my eyes. “No. I’m not.”
“Liar.” He jumped down and closed the gap between us, gliding the backs of his knuckles down my neck. “You always cry. Even when you’re happy.”
“Speaking of liars, how were the truffles? Did you eat them all?”
His lips twitched. “Keep being sassy and you won’t get your surprise.”
“A surprise? What is it?”
“If I tell you, it won’t be a surprise now, will it?” He nudged my arm. “Follow me.”
I glanced around us, searching for the huge shadows who followed me everywhere.
“They’re taking the night off,” Rowan said. I was so easy to read. “You should be proud of me. I asked them for permission before stealing you away this time.”
I snorted. Being around him made everything seem lighter, easing the heaviness that pressed down on my chest when I recalled Lupin’s warning.
Rowan wove our fingers together as he led me toward the woods. The sun kissed the horizon now, so close to setting. Golden light shone on the treetops and filtered through the branches, like the world around us was holding on to the sun for as long as possible.
Just like I was, with Rowan’s hand in mine.
I squeezed it a bit tighter. “Is this it then? The time you drag me into the woods and finally shut my rambling mouth for good?”
He snickered. “Tempting. But no.”
Entering the woods and moving through the dense foliage and trees, the temperature dropped several degrees, sending chills along my arms. Winter hadn’t made much of an appearance during my time in Exalos, but on the eve of the solstice, it finally did.
“Are you taking me back to the cave?”
“Maybe I am. Maybe I’m not.”
“Yep. You totally are,” I said when the ground began to incline. “I recognize this tortuous terrain. My thighs are already cursing your name.”
Rowan laughed and used our joined hands to tug me to his chest. “Then, how would you like to fly?”
My heart fluttered.
He didn’t wait for a response before tossing me on his back and climbing up the trunk of the nearest tree. The sun had set now, but the sky was still light in some areas, leaving the world suspended between night and day as dusk moved in. In the thick coverage of trees, however, shadows danced and thrived. Those shadows circled Rowan’s feet as he leapt from one branch to another.
“Your eyes better be open, little treasure.”
“They are,” I said, only a little terrified as I caught sight of the ground far below us. But I trusted him and knew he wouldn’t let me fall. He made me feel brave.
“Good. Keep holding on to me.”
I never wanted to let him go.
Minutes passed before he landed on another branch and made his descent back to the ground, climbing down the trunk. Once grounded, I slid off his back, and he grabbed my waist before my feet even thought about being their stumbling selves.
“Thanks.” I linked my wrists at his nape.
“Anytime.” Rowan pressed a kiss to my cheek. It was unexpectedly tender. “I mean that, Evan. Anytime. Any day. I’ll be here to catch you.”
My fluttering heart from earlier? Yeah, it damn near exploded from my chest. I cupped the back of his head. “That means you can’t run away when we get back to Bremloc. You have to stay by my side. Because I’m always stumbling.”
I felt him smile into my hair. “Oh, I know you are.” He drew back and caught my hand again, leading me toward a break in the trees. “Come on. Someone’s waiting for us.”
“Who?” But just as the word left my mouth, I sensed him. Something inside my core reached out, desperate to close the distance that separated us.
Lake.
As Rowan and I stepped into the same clearing he’d taken me to before, that something in my core wobbled. Lake stood near the waterfall, staring up at the darkening sky. Stars had begun to appear. Then, he looked at me. His wolf ears perked up, and he sprang forward, reaching us in seconds.
Still holding Rowan’s hand, I burrowed into Lake’s chest. “Hey, you.”
Lake kissed my brow. “I was about to come looking for you.”
“I told you I’d bring him here safely, didn’t I?” Rowan snapped. “Damned wolf.”
“Wait.” I looked between them. “You two planned this? Together?”
“It was his idea,” Rowan said. “I just went along with it.”
“What exactly is it ?” I asked.
Lake grabbed my hand. “We’ll show you.”
Emotion bubbled up inside me as I walked in the middle, holding on to both of them. I had no idea what they’d planned, but knowing they’d done it together was a huge step. It showed they could get along. That, maybe, Lake would see in Rowan what I did. And eventually, Maddox and Briar too.
As they led me toward the cave, I spotted a blanket on the grass in front of it, along with two baskets and pillows. “A picnic?”
“You like romance, and a picnic under the stars is romantic.” Rowan rolled his eyes. “Frankly, I fail to see the appeal.” Again, his mouth said one thing, but his expression said another. As did the flush climbing up his neck, visible above the dark green scarf he wore. “But I needed woo points.”
I choked on a laugh. The laugh was raspy and thick, barely able to squeeze past the sudden tightness in my throat.
“There you go cryin’ again.” Rowan used his sleeve to wipe at my eyes. “You sap.”
“I’m not crying.”
“You are,” Lake said, gently turning me to face him. He dabbed at my cheeks. “Are they happy tears?”
I nodded, causing more to well in my eyes.
Lake’s expression softened before he guided me onto the blanket and unwrapped another to lay over my lap. “You should warm up soon.”
“I’ll start a fire.” Rowan knelt to the makeshift pit a few feet away and touched the wood. Flames instantly spread beneath his fingertips, and the rush of heat took away the last of the chill in the air. “Better?”
“Yep. I’m all toasty and warm now.” Even more so once they each sat beside me. I lifted the blanket over my lap to cover them too. “What’s all this for? I know it’s not for woo points. I’ve already been wooed by both of you.”
Lake smiled. “You’ve worked hard preparing the café for the opening and deserve something nice.”
“It’s also a celebration for the winter solstice,” Rowan said. “Those of us with mana can feel the energy shift in the air. The fire symbolizes our gratitude. And it prevents your toes from freezing off.”
Touched by their thoughtfulness, I felt a quiver in my throat and a burning in my eyes that would no doubt have me crying in a second flat. Again. “What’s in the baskets?”
“Food,” Rowan answered. “There’s also rum and two bottles of wine.”
I cut my eyes at him. “Did you steal it?”
He flashed that snaggletooth. “Me? Steal something? How offensive.”
Lake made a rough sound.
Oh my god. He actually laughed at something Rowan said. A sign he didn’t hate him. That they were bonding, if only a little.
“By the gods, it never stops,” Rowan said, wiping at my face again. “I think you’ve sprung a leak.”
“I’m just really happy.” I smiled at him through blurry eyes, then looked at Lake. “Having both of you here with me means everything.”
A soft whine left Lake as he nuzzled the side of my head. Rowan looked at us, then moved his gaze to the fire. I wasn’t the best at reading people. I could be pretty damn oblivious. But I sensed Rowan was hiding again.
I grabbed his hand. “That includes you too, you stubborn non-bandit.”
His sharp features smoothed. “I’m better company than the wolf. We should’ve left him behind.”
Lake huffed. “Says the one who came to me at the inn and suggested this whole thing. Insisting I be here too because you knew it’d make Evan happy.”
I flipped back around to Rowan. “You Liar McLiar face. You said it was Lake’s idea.”
“Guilty.” Rowan cracked a smile before grabbing a basket. “Enough of this sentimental shit. I’m starving.”
“Me too.” I patted my belly. “Let’s dig in.”
Our feast consisted of turkey, cheese, and tomato sandwiches, along with oranges, figs, and chestnuts that we roasted over the fire. They didn’t say much as we ate. Neither of them were chatterboxes. Which was fine because I talked enough for all three of us, telling them about the café’s opening day and how it’d lit a fire under my butt to return to my own café and make headway on new projects, like an outside patio, a bigger library, and introducing grab-and-go services. Maybe even delivery eventually too.
Rowan refilled his flask with rum while Lake and I sipped wine straight from the bottle, handing it back and forth.
“I want to revamp the menu too,” I said, then bumped Rowan’s side. “Like adding spicy desserts. Truffles but also pies and cakes.”
“Gross,” Rowan said. “Don’t torment your customers like that.”
I scoffed and swallowed another mouthful of wine. It tasted okay but not as good as Briar’s.
“Careful,” Lake said, gently taking the bottle from me. “Don’t drink too much.”
Rowan smirked. “Can’t handle your liquor?”
“We can’t all be hard-core, rum-drinking thieves like you.” I hiccupped. “Crap. I think it’s too late.”
Rowan had just taken another swig from his flask when he laughed. He tried to cover his mouth, but rum shot from between his fingers and dribbled onto the blanket. I started giggling, which caused more hiccups.
“If only Maddox could see you now,” Lake said, rubbing my spine as I held my breath to try to stop the damn hiccupping. “He’ll be sad he missed it.”
“Drunk muffin.” Rowan took a swig of rum. “Could be your new title.”
I sputtered out a breath and fell victim to another string of giggles. Fortunately, the hiccups stopped. Eating more would help, so I ate a few figs. I wasn’t drunk, but I had a nice buzz going.
“I can’t believe it’s our last night in Exalos.” I tilted my head to the night sky. The full moon was so bright. “I’m ready to leave though. I wanna go home.”
“As do I.” Lake’s wolf ears drooped. “I miss our cottage.”
“And our men in the cottage?”
“They’re your men. Ones I’m honored to share you with.” Lake ate a chestnut and stared at the fire as he chewed. “But I do consider them my family and miss them terribly.”
My heart rose into my throat. “That’s all I’ve ever wanted. For us to be a family.” I glanced at Rowan. He stilled from where he’d been about to take another drink. “A family you’re a part of now too. If you want to be.”
“What I want doesn’t matter.” He downed a mouthful and closed the flask, tossing it beside him on the blanket. “The wolf may not want to rip out my throat anymore, but your captain isn’t as forgiving.”
Lupin had said Maddox and Rowan would constantly butt heads, so Rowan wasn’t wrong in his thinking. But I had faith it’d work out. Rowan wouldn’t be one of my destined men otherwise.
“Maddox will come around,” I said, eyeing the wine bottle. Lake moved it farther away from me. “He’s just stubborn.”
“And protective.” Lake slid his arm around my lower back, and I felt the brush of his poofy tail. “We all are when it comes to you.”
I turned my head and met him for a soft kiss. He tasted like wine and citrus, and the faint hint of peaches came off his silver hair. A scent unique only to him. I broke the kiss and nuzzled his cheek before turning to Rowan.
Firelight danced across his tanned skin. Shadows did too. When his gaze lifted to mine, flames glinted in his irises, amplifying the sudden hunger in his eyes. Hunger… but something else too. Something far more tender. Rowan grabbed the side of my neck and brought me closer without a word. Our lips met once, then again but firmer. Lingering.
Heat licked along my skin, and sparks shot through my veins. Spiced rum and black cardamom infiltrated my senses. A taste, a scent, I knew I couldn’t live without.
Not anymore.
“You really are like the sun,” I murmured against his lips. “One touch and you set me on fire.”
“I should get you drunk more often.” Rowan skated his fingertip along my jaw. “You say the sweetest things.”
“But you don’t like sweet things. You’ve told me, like, a billion times.”
“I liked those truffles. So maybe you’ve changed me.”
There was a hard tug in my chest. “I don’t want to change you, Rowan. I want you to be yourself.”
“What if you make me want to change?” he asked softly. “To be better?”
I burrowed closer and closed my eyes as more dumb tears welled in them. “As long as you’re with me, I don’t care about the rest. I won’t even curl my nose when you ruin good coffee with rum.”
“Liar,” he said with a raspy laugh. “I can feel you judging me already.”
“Careful, thief,” Lake said. “Our male is serious about his coffee.”
I snorted and lifted my head from Rowan’s shoulder. Lake smiled at me. He patted my leg and gave a small nod to Rowan. Almost like an approval. Something had shifted between the three of us. The threads that connected me to them seemed to stretch farther, connecting them too.
When Lake held out a hand, I grabbed it and let him pull me toward him.
“Lie down,” he said, guiding me to my back and positioning one of the cushions behind my head. He brought the blanket higher on my chest and snuggled in beside me. “Well, thief? Do you plan to sit so far away, or will you join us?”
Rowan peered down at me. I thought he might refuse, but instead, he settled in beside me and rested his head on my shoulder. Lake pressed to my back and wrapped his arm around my waist.
The three of us lay that way, staring up at the starry sky. Sounds came from around us: the distant rush of the waterfall, the crackling fire, and nocturnal creatures buzzing from the trees. It was peaceful. So much so that the long day officially caught up with me, and my lids fell closed.
Lips brushed my brow. Lake.
A hand slid down my belly and cupped my side. Rowan.
Heaviness settled over me, pulling me deeper toward sleep.
“Rowan?” Lake whispered.
“What?”
“Please don’t break his heart.” Lake cradled my head. “I see how deeply he feels for you. He needs you in his life just as he needs me, Briar, and Maddox. Don’t leave him.”
Rowan’s hand lightly moved along my side. “I’ve always gone where the wind took me, never staying anywhere for long. My home was the open road. I liked the freedom of it.”
“And now?”
“Now?” Rowan expelled a soft breath. “My home is with him.”
With my sternum tight, I turned my face into Rowan’s hair. I loved how perfectly his head fit against my shoulder.
“Are you awake, you little eavesdropper?” Rowan asked.
I grinned, keeping my eyes closed. “No.”
He grabbed my face with one hand, puffing out my cheeks. When I opened my eyes, he was inches away, one brow arched and that snaggletooth peeking from his upper lip. I giggled, but the hold he had on my cheeks made it sound more like I was choking, which sent him into a laughing fit.
“Forget being a sad toad,” he said. “You’re more like a crazed duck with that quacking.”
Lake caught me around the waist and pressed his face to my nape. “The most adorable duck to ever exist.”
“Just don’t eat me,” I said, then reconsidered it. “Well, on second thought. I wouldn’t mind you gobbling me up, Mr. Wolf.”
“Is that so?” Lake’s teeth grazed my neck.
Shivers cascaded down my arms and legs.
“Well, if you don’t eat him, I will,” Rowan said, retaking hold of my face and crushing his lips to mine. He nipped at them and then nipped at my jaw. “I’m gonna devour every inch of you, little treasure.”
“I… um…” I looked at Lake over my shoulder.
He smiled before focusing on Rowan. It was subtle, but he nodded.
“What do you say, wolf?” Rowan said with a purr. “I’ll take his cock and you take his ass?”
Lake shrunk back a little and averted his eyes, shaking his head. He needed to feel comfortable with someone before allowing himself to be that vulnerable, and he barely knew Rowan.
“It’s okay if you don’t want to.” I smoothed the silver bangs from Lake’s brow and petted his ears. “But are you sure you’re all right with me doing it?”
“Yes.” He dropped a kiss to my neck. “But I’ll stay by your side.”
“Great. You can watch the show.” Rowan shoved me flat on my back and straddled my hips. “It’s about to get really good.”