Page 118 of Nine-Tenths

"Babe, we call those weddings."

"Ha ha ha," Dav says.

Strangely, forever with a dragon doesn't sound as terrifyingly permanent this morning as it did a few days ago.

"But, uh, before we start auditioning bands and sampling cake, maybe we could do something smaller?"

"What are you thinking?"

"I'd like to have some people over. Just my posse-Dike, Mau, Hadi, maybe Min-soo? All people you already know."

Dav makes that thoughtfulprrrowtnoise. "I suppose… perhaps, an evening thing? Out among the grapes?"

"Not in the house?" I watch him carefully. He did say it was uncouth to let humans that aren’t his into his nesting grounds, but if we’re going to be even in this, if we’re going to be equal, I want my friends to be able to visit.

Of course, heknowsI'm gauging his reaction, so his face goes blank.

"Okay, not in the house," I concede.

He lets out a breath. "I am sorry," he starts.

"Whatever makes you comfortable," I interrupt, and it's true.

"It must seem wretchedly unfair—"

"No, actually. I get it. Small steps. Between the two of us, who has the therapist?"

Dav winces. "The more I hear of Dr. Chen, the more I wonder if I should make an appointment."

"Would you?" I ask, trying not to sound too enthusiastic.

I mean.

I love him.

But my dragon needs someone to talk to, STAT.

"Perhaps a draconic therapist," he concedes. "I'll have Sarah look into it."

"That's all I ask."

Dav squeezes me close. "You ask a great deal more than that."

"Like an informal get together among the grapes," I tease.

Dav squirms, which does interesting things where he’s pressed against my thighs.

"Why so insistent?"

"I want to show you off. Rebekah is dying to meet you."

"The ex with the excellent sartorial taste?"

I kiss that beautiful multisyllabic word out of his mouth, leaving a dimpled smile behind.

"Don't be jelly, babe."

"I'm not… jelly."