Page 33 of Did It Have To Be Gnomes?! (Carry A Faerie #1)

Chapter Twenty-Four

Winter

M y god, Miles was so charming in his own way and absolutely adorable. That kiss had lit something up inside of me. It had blown me away, made my belly flutter with excited butterflies, made my entire body come alive. It had made electricity spark across my skin while fireworks exploded around us.

It had been the best damn kiss of my life, and I couldn’t wait to do it again.

But hugging him like this was just as good. Having him in my arms felt right in a way I hadn’t expected. Other people that I’d dated in the past had never brought so much warmth to my chest when I’d hugged them, kissed them, or even touched their cheek or hair or anything.

But Miles was different. So different.

I couldn’t seem to keep my hands off him.

Part of it was because I could tell how much he needed it, that he didn’t have anyone else in his life and he needed the comfort.

But a big part of it—most of it—was because I needed it too.

Comforting him was healing the scars on my heart from all of the people who’d turned their backs on me in my life.

Comforting him warmed my soul. Seeing his face soften, seeing him smile, was all such a huge reward that healed me as much as it healed him.

“Maybe firebirds really do bring good luck,” Miles murmured, and I wasn’t sure I was supposed to actually hear that or not, but I couldn’t help but ask.

“Why?”

He leaned back to look at me, and his whole face blushed. “Because… because you’re here… with me.”

Holy shit, that was the kindest and most delightful fucking thing I’d ever heard. I cupped his face and pulled him into another lingering kiss that made my belly flutter with a thousand butterflies and my heart expand with every brush of his lips.

When we broke the kiss, I rested my forehead against his and whispered, “That was the sweetest thing anyone’s ever said to me.”

He stared into my eyes for several beats, then smiled and pecked my lips. “I meant it.”

“I know you did.” Gah, the absolute sweetest. I couldn’t believe I was actually dating the most endearing man in the world.

I kissed the side of his head and leaned back.

“Do you still want to go out to eat or should we plan something here?” When I realized what that sounded like—like I was suggesting we stay here and fuck around or something—I cleared my throat.

“I didn’t mean for, like, a hook-up, I swear. ”

He stared at me for a beat, then let out a small laugh, grinning at me. “Oh my god, your panicked face was so cute and sincere.” He surprised me by pecking my cheek. “I knew what you meant, but I think we should go out.”

“Okay. Why don’t you grab Sola, and we can head out?”

“Wh… what do you mean?”

“She’s coming with us, right? I know you still have to officially register her as your familiar, but you have thirty days to do so, right? And people still have to respect your right to bring her wherever you go.” I trailed off. “What? Why are you looking at me like that?”

He smiled. “Because you’re a really great guy.” He stepped back, breaking our connection. “Are you sure you don’t mind if she tags along?”

“Of course I don’t mind. Being newly bonded, I doubt you’ll want to be away from her anyway, right?”

He nodded. “If you’re sure…” He trailed off as he walked into the living room.

I watched him hold his arm out to the firebird, who was perched on the stand, and the bird didn’t hesitate to climb up his arm to his shoulder.

He walked back over with a big smile, and just seeing that happy expression made me glad I’d suggested he bring Sola with us.

When he reached me again, the firebird chirped in my direction, so I held my hand up to her. She gave it a rub, so I pet her a few times, then decided to test the waters and make sure she wasn’t going to be overly possessive of Miles.

I leaned in to kiss his cheek, and Sola simply stayed on his shoulder. That made me grin and give her a few more pets before I asked Miles, “Ready?”

“Yes, but hold on a sec.” He rushed into the kitchen and came back out holding a magnet. “Did you happen to, uh, do something with this when you were here yesterday?”

I lifted a brow because what the hell was he talking about? “Uh, I have no idea what you’re talking about.”

He sighed. “Damn. I was hoping you knew.”

“Um… knew what?”

He waved the magnet, and I realized it had his company’s logo on it. “I had this on my fridge, but I sorta put whiteout over the gnome so I didn’t have to see it at home, but the whiteout is somehow missing.”

Biting my cheek to keep from laughing at the cute man, I glanced at the magnet again. “Huh. That’s really odd. Maybe Sola nipped at it or something?”

He shrugged. “Yeah, maybe.”

He didn’t sound too convinced, but I had no other ideas for him, so he put the magnet back before rejoining me at the door and pulling his gloves out of his pockets. That was the first time I realized he hadn’t been wearing gloves when I came in, and he didn’t put them on the whole time I was here.

Granted, it had only been maybe twenty minutes or so, but still. That was a massive thing for him. Miles wore those gloves as armor, and with everything his magic put him through, I didn’t blame him for it.

The fact that he didn’t feel the need to wear them around me was a huge win and made me extra glad I was a null.

We both pet Odin, and his little face made me feel terrible for leaving him, but it wasn’t like we could get away with bringing a cat into a regular store and a restaurant.

He could’ve come to the pet store with us, but that might’ve made it worse to take him back after and then leave him anyway.

And to be honest, most cats wouldn’t like being taken around all over the place like that anyway, so I doubted he’d enjoy it.

So I gave the cat a little kiss on the top of his head and led the way out of the house.

I opened the passenger door of my car for Miles, and he smiled at me shyly and climbed into the car.

After shutting his door, I walked around and got into the driver’s seat.

Miles smiled at me again, and Sola gave me a chirp from her spot on his lap.

We both chuckled at her as I started the car and headed off.

I aimed the car in the direction of the local supercenter since that giant store should have everything we needed from Chaos’s list. I found a parking spot, and the three of us got out of the car.

When I came around to the other side, I could tell Miles was nervous, so I took his hand in mine and gave it a squeeze. “You okay?”

“Yeah, I just… don’t want anyone to call me out for bringing a firebird into a store.”

“Anyone with a brain will know she’s your familiar. It’s illegal to keep firebirds as pets, and no wild bird would be riding on your shoulder so calmly into a crowded store. People are idiots, but hopefully, they’re not that ridiculous. It’ll be fine.”

He blew out a breath and nodded to himself. “You’re right.”

I leaned in and gently tapped my forehead to his temple, speaking quietly. “Plus, if anyone messes with you, they’ll have to go through me. I’ll keep you safe, Sidekick.”

He stared at me for a beat, then burst out with a loud laugh. “Wow. Just wow. That was sounding all sexy and badass until you just had to throw in that sidekick bullshit.”

I laughed. “Not bullshit at all. You’re my sidekick. I’ve decided this.”

He snorted and started walking toward the store. “Yeah, okay, Mr. I Decide All The Things.”

With a chuckle, I tugged him farther along. “I’m glad you’re finally seeing things my way.”

“Oh my god!” He laughed and smacked my arm, and Sola chirped at me, making us both laugh at her angry expression.

“I’m just teasing, Sola, promise.”

She chirped, then turned her nose up at me.

“Wow, your familiar has some sass.”

“That she does.” He sounded so proud, and it was adorable.

T he supercenter and pet store trips both went by quickly without a hitch, and the hostess at the restaurant didn’t even blink an eye at the firebird riding Miles's shoulder.

We did get a few stares from other patrons when we walked to our table, but honestly, I was pretty sure it was mostly out of curiosity rather than hostility.

“You doing okay, sugar butt?”

He sighed and shook his head. “Why do you keep calling me that?”

“Because your ass looks delicious and soooo sweet.”

He looked at me in surprise, then we both laughed, and he shook his head. “Anyway, I’m fine. Thanks for taking me to the pet store.”

“No problemo. You know I enjoyed looking at all the animals. I kinda want to start a fish tank.”

“Really? I’ve thought about it, but I’m always worried Odin will try jumping in it to hunt the fish or something.”

I snorted. “Makes sense. You’d have to have a good lid.”

He shrugged. “Yeah, but I’d rather spend the money on another rescue cat.”

I closed my menu so I could focus on him. “You’re getting another cat? That’s so exciting. When?”

“I’ve peeked at the rescues online, but I’ve been working so much lately that I haven’t had the time to commit to bringing a new cat into the house.”

I nodded. “I know what you mean. I’ve thought about getting a cat—Goliath would love having a friend in the house—but I keep putting it off.”

“Goliath likes cats?”

“He loves them. Lyric has a cat, and Goliath thinks he’s his best friend in the world.

It’s adorable. He gets so excited to see him, and then he’ll just lay on the floor and let the cat climb all over him, lick him, chew on his ears, anything.

It’s ridiculous and cute.” I pulled my phone from my pocket. “I have pictures. Hold on.”