Page 83 of For the First Time

“Well, I hate to break it to you, but I actually have news.I’m not sure if it’s good or bad yet.Bartholomew called.He wants to meet with us tomorrow morning.”

“Interesting.”He nodded solemnly, his attention suddenly completely on putting his boots and hat away.“And would you say you’re nervous about this meeting?”

That was a strange question.“I guess.A little.”

“I see.So what you’re saying is that you could use some sort of emotional boost.Something to cheer you up?”

I stared at Atlas for a long moment.Then I looked around the house in case he was somehow talking to someone else or at least something to explain his strange words.I pressed the back of my hand to his forehead, testing his temperature.“Are you feeling okay?”

He pulled my wrist down.“I’m fine.”

“Are you sure?Cause you’re acting weird.”

“I just want to give you a gift.”

“A gift?”

“Yeah.I was supposed to wait but you’re so worried about this meeting tomorrow that I figured it would be a little pick-me-up for you.Something to distract you so you weren’t worried about it.”

I tried, I really did, but I couldn’t hold back my guffaws of laughter.Literal tears came to my eyes.My mate was impatient—that was all this truly was.He had a gift for me, and he couldn’t tolerate keeping it hidden rather than simply giving it to me.

Atlas just stared at me, pretending to be annoyed but I saw the way he fought his cheeks to keep his frown from turning into a smile.

“All right,” I acquiesced.“What is this gift that’s going to make me feel better?”

I was absolutely proven right when he didn’t have to go anywhere to get the gift.He just pulled it out of his pocket.“Everett said it was a broach?”

I grabbed the hummingbird broach from him, admiring the green and purple and red colors of its wings.The silver of its long beak.

“We know how much you like your sensible outfits.We figured this was a way to make it more fun for you.Even though we told you, you can wear pajamas while you work for all we care.”He shrugged.“You like your little outfits.We just thought this would be something for you to add to them.Some color.Some fun.”

I couldn’t stop petting the bird.It was heavy in my hands, and I inspected the needle that would pierce through the thickest of fabrics like I was an inspector of antiques.“It’s gorgeous.”

Atlas’s chest seemed to puff up like I’d complimented him, not the bird.

“Should I act surprised when the others give me their gift?”

“Depends.How good is your acting?Can you pass for being shocked?Show me the face you’ll make.”

I did not make a face.

He shook his head.“That won’t fool anyone, pet.”

“I wasn’t trying to.”

“Sure.”He shrugged a shoulder.“I’ll just get on my knees tonight.I’m pretty sure I can earn their forgiveness with my tongue.”

“Can I watch?”

Atlas groaned.“Abso-fucking-lutely.”He pulled me flush against his body as his face pressed into my neck, no doubt searching for the smallest hint of my perfume.“I’ve decided that I can’t stand going into work and being apart from you for hours at a time.I want you to come with me from now on.Just hold my hand all day and be near me.”

“Wouldn’t it make more sense if you just stayed here?”

He considered that for a moment before shaking his head.“Nah.Better if you come with me.”

“Oh, really?”

“Definitely.”