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Logan watched my struggle with undisguised amusement before crossing the room in three strides. Without warning, he scooped me up and tossed me over his shoulder.

“Put me down!” I yelped, my hands instinctively bracing against his back. “I’m not even dressed properly!”

“You look fine,” he assured me, already heading for the door. “Besides, Aunt Vivian has seen you in worse states.”

“That’s not the point!”

Keir followed us out, still buttoning his shirt. “The point is that Logan enjoys manhandling you and is using breakfast as an excuse.”

“I do not enjoy—” Logan started, then shrugged, jostling me. “Actually, yes, I do.”

Drew met us in the hallway. “You’re carrying him again? What is it with you three and treating Finn like a sack of potatoes?”

“He’s the perfect size for it,” Logan replied, adjusting his grip on my thighs.

“I am not!” I protested, though it was hard to sound dignified while upside down. “I’m average height! You three are just freakishly oversized!”

“Keep telling yourself that, short stack,” Drew grinned, ruffling my hair as he passed.

The kitchen was filled with the heavenly scent of Aunt Vivian’s blueberry pancakes when Logan finally set me on my feet. Cade sat at the island beside our aunt, both of them with coffee mugs in hand, engaged in what looked like a serious conversation. But Vivian’s face lit up when she saw me, immediately setting her coffee aside to pull me into a hug.

“There’s my favorite artist,” she said, holding me at arm’s length to examine me. “You’re looking better. Less like a ghost and more like a fox.”

“Funny,” I deadpanned but couldn’t help smiling. Aunt Vivian had always supported my artistic pursuits, even when Cade had insisted it was “just a phase.”

“I’m serious,” she insisted, guiding me to a stool. “You’ve got color in your cheeks. And you’ve gained a little weight, thank goodness. I was starting to think we needed to check you for tapeworms.”

“Vivian,” Cade admonished, but his lips twitched with amusement.

“What? It’s true. He was wasting away.” She slid a plate stacked with pancakes in front of me. “Eat. Elena’s on her weekend off, so I’m in charge of making sure you all don’t starve.”

I didn’t need to be told twice. Aunt Vivian’s blueberry pancakes were legendary—fluffy, buttery perfection studded with fresh berries and topped with real maple syrup. I dug in with enthusiasm, barely noticing when Keir stole a bite from my plate.

From under the table, I felt a cold, wet nose nudge my leg. Looking down, I found Mochi staring up at me with hopeful eyes, his fluffy white tail wagging expectantly. Beside him, Boba sat with his head tilted, his tan face with black mask markings making him look perpetually confused. His potato-shaped body was practically vibrating with anticipation.

“No begging,” I whispered, though I was already sneaking a small plain piece of pancake under the table. Mochi delicately took it from my fingers while Boba watched with dramatic envy, letting out one of his signature sighs before flopping onto the floor like his life was ending.

“I saw that,” Aunt Vivian said, though she immediately contradicted herself by slipping Boba a tiny plain morsel of her own. “These dogs are spoiled rotten.”

“Where’s Pixel?” I asked, realizing the one-eyed tabby was missing from the morning pet parade.

“Sunning herself on the window seat in the library,” Drew replied. “She made it very clear she had no interest in coming downstairs for something as undignified as begging.”

“That sounds like her.” I laughed.

“So,” Vivian said, leaning against the counter as she surveyed us all. “What’s the plan for today? I thought we might go to the beach, if you boys don’t have other commitments.”

“Council meeting this afternoon,” Cade replied, his hand finding my knee under the counter in what had become a familiar gesture. “But the morning is free.”

“Perfect.” Vivian clapped her hands. “We’ll go to North Beach. It’s too hot to do anything else, and I want to see if Finn’s swimming has improved since last summer.”

“Hey!” I protested around a mouthful of pancake. “I’m a perfectly adequate swimmer.”

“For a fox,” Drew teased. “Which isn’t saying much.”

I flicked a blueberry at him, which he caught and popped into his mouth with infuriating ease.

“Children.” Vivian sighed, though her eyes were filled with fondness. “Finish your breakfast, then go get ready. I want to be at the beach before it gets too hot.”