Page 19

I had been over the moon when I had received my invitation to the Legacy Gala. As the realization of my success started to settle in, however, that giddiness had slowly morphed into nearly crippling anxiety.
“And the expo is in Vegas,” he continued, his voice rising now. “Do you have any idea how expensive it is to ship enchanted cosmetics across state lines? Don’t even get me started on booth design. It has to be perfect. No.” He paused mid-step and shook his head. “It has to be better than perfect.”
“Okay, Otto? Relax. Take a breath.” I held my hands up, as if that alone could hold back the tide of anxiety. “You’ve been planning for this moment for years,” I reminded him. “We’ll make a list, then tackle it one thing at a time.”
“Perfect!” His gaze zipped across the office. “We need a whiteboard.”
“Whoa!” I grabbed his shoulders, forcing him to look at me. “We’ll get a damn whiteboard, but we don’t have to do everything right now. Tonight? We’re celebrating.”
He immediately started shaking his head. “I don’t have time to celebrate!”
The gleam in his eyes, however, suggested otherwise.
I waited, letting him come to the right decision on his own.
“Fine,” he relented. “I have a client coming at three, but it’s just a consultation.” His smile softened, becoming more playful. “Some of us don’t have the luxury of spending all day in bed.”
I rolled my eyes at his obvious attempt to change the subject. “If you want to know about my mate, just ask.”
“I want to know about your mate,” he deadpanned. “Tell me everything.”
I was still working out how to describe him—or so I thought—when my mouth decided to just roll the highlight reel instead. “His name is Deaton. He’s a werewolf, insanely hot, and the sex is life changing.”
Otto’s cackling laughter rang throughout the office. “Ah, yes. The holy trinity of lasting relationships.”
“Shut up,” I grumbled. “I can’t help it.”
“You really went and got yourself cursed?”
I huffed and rolled my eyes. “No, I faked it for clout.”
“I don’t know.” Otto shrugged. “You sound the same to me.”
“Asshole,” I shot back, shoving at his shoulder. “Be careful in Vegas.”
“I don’t really plan to piss off any warlocks while I’m there.”
“Neither did I.” Joss Weller hadn’t even been on my radar until he’d decided to insert himself into my life. “Just promise me you’ll be careful.”
Otto nodded. “So, when do I get to meet this insanely hot werewolf?”
I glanced at the neon clock that hung on the wall over his desk, a grin tugging at my lips. “Soon. He’s coming to pick me up when he finishes with his MNSTR gig.”
A frown tugged at Otto’s lips, and worry lines marred his brow. “He’s still working for MNSTR? Are you okay with that?”
“It’s fine,” I assured him. “He’s just taking some elderly lady shopping. He’s not going to accept requests for date-type stuffanymore, and outside of that, what am I supposed to say? Don’t help people?”
Of course, Otto didn’t need all the details, but I had little control over how much information came out of my mouth. In this instance, it seemed to be just the right amount because his expression cleared, and he bobbed his head.
“All joking aside, are you happy?”
“Ridiculously.” I had never felt this way about anyone before, and despite everything still being pretty new, it went so much deeper than a silly crush or infatuation. “I think I love him.”
It took a moment for me to register what I’d said, and when I did, I slapped a hand over my mouth, my eyes wide and panicked.
“River?”
“No,” I moaned. “No, no, no.” Rushing over to my bag, I dug my phone out of the side pocket and shoved it toward Otto. “I need you to text him.”