Page 7 of Laced With Secrets

Through the crowd, I spotted Victor and Sebastian near the entrance, deep in what appeared to be an intense conversation. Even from this distance, their body language was telling—Sebastian’s smile was outwardly warm, but his shoulders angled away from his husband. Victor stood like a glacier beside him, the temperature around him practically dropping several degrees.

They were heading directly toward us.

Penny’s gaze locked onto the approaching couple, the bright notes of his scent suddenly turning muted and anxious. His entire demeanor shifted, shoulders straightening as he smoothed his peacoat with nervous fingers. His hair caught the glow from the twinkling fairy lights overhead, casting copper fire through the pink strands. I watched as Sebastian Fairfax-Saunier’s verdant gaze snapped to Penny like a magnet finding true north.

“Penny,” Sebastian said warmly as they reached our little group, his French accent more pronounced than usual. “Bonjour, mon ami. You look lovely this evening.”

Victor’s hand immediately tightened on Sebastian’s arm, a subtle but unmistakable warning gesture. His icy blue gaze flashed with something sharp and possessive as his scent spiked with the sharp bite of alpha territorialism.

Penny’s cheeks flushed pink, nearly matching his hair. “Sebastian… Victor.” His voice was carefully neutral, but I caught the slight breathlessness that betrayed his affectation.

The air between the three of them practically hummed with unresolved tension. Sebastian’s warm amber scent carried clear notes of barely contained alpha interest, while Victor’s pheromones had taken on that sharp, possessive edge that made my skin prickle with secondhand anxiety.

“Perfect timing!” Mrs. Henderson announced, apparently oblivious to the charged atmosphere. “I was just telling Leo and Mr. Steel here about our historical fashion plans for the centennial.”

“Mrs. Henderson,” Dominic interjected smoothly, “I’m afraid Leo’s fully committed between the holiday rush and his current commissions, so unfortunately, he won’t be available.”

“Mr. Sterling-Hart is already working on a commission for our shop’s grand opening,” Sebastian supplied. “Perhaps we could incorporate that work into the centennial celebration somehow? Kill two birds with one stone, as you say?”

I felt Dominic’s surprise through our bond, though his expression remained carefully neutral. Sebastian was smoothly providing me with an out.

My gaze swept to Penny, whose fingers had found his lucky penny pendant, worrying it between his thumb and forefinger in that tell-tale nervous habit of his. Color had drained from his cheeks, leaving only two bright spots of pink high on his cheekbones.

He’d caught on to Sebastian’s intent too and was doing an admirable job of hiding his rising panic.

I watched Sebastian’s lips curve into a charming, practiced smile as he focused on Mrs. Henderson. The alpha was expertly weaving a web that would trap all three of them in close quarters for weeks.

“What a wonderful idea!” Mrs. Henderson beamed, making rapid notes on her clipboard. “Leo’s commission work could serve as the centerpiece, and you three could handle the broader costume contest and historical exhibits?”

“Exactement,” Sebastian agreed, his gaze drifting to Penny with undisguised triumph. “We could create educational displays about the area’s historical fashion evolution, yes? Perhaps offercostume consultations for community members or visitors who want to participate in the contest?”

The way he looked at Penny was definitely predatory—maybe not dangerous, but absolutely hunting. His amber eyes lingered on the graceful line of Penny’s neck where his vintage scarf had shifted.

The attention made my best friend’s scent sweeten with an attraction he was clearly trying to hide.

Victor noticed immediately, of course. His blue eyes narrowed as he stepped closer to Sebastian, one hand settling possessively on his husband’s lower back in an obvious warning signal.

“Sebastian has very… enthusiastic ideas about collaboration,” Victor said, his voice carrying multiple layers of meaning. He locked eyes with his husband, his tight smile revealing the tips of his sharp incisors. “Sometimes he gets quite carried away by inspiration.”

The challenge was unmistakable. This wasn’t really about the fashion exhibit—this was about whatever ongoing power struggle they were dealing with in their marriage.

Only, they were putting my friend directly in the crossfire.

“I’m sure we can all maintain professional focus,” Sebastian replied, meeting Victor’s gaze with defiance.

“Wonderful!” Mrs. Henderson declared, completely missing the subtext swirling around her. She paused, pen hovering over her clipboard as she looked between Dominic and me with a speculative gleam. “Speaking of wonderful developments, should we be expecting any wedding bells soon? You two seem so perfectly matched!”

I felt heat rush to my cheeks as my scent probably spiked with embarrassment. Through the bond, I sensed Dominic’s amusement at my flustered reaction.

“The holiday season is keeping us both very busy,” Dominic said smoothly, his voice warm with just the right amount of deflection. “But you’ll be among the first to know.”

“Of course, of course,” she said with a knowing wink. “But when you two are ready, the district would love to help plan something special! Leo is family and we’d very much want to celebrate such a happy occasion with him.”

She turned her attention to the room at large, probably searching for her next victim. “Well, now, I’ll leave you all to work out the details.”

As she bustled away with renewed energy, the five of us were left standing in an awkward cluster.

“We should discuss timeline and logistics,” Sebastian said, breaking the tension.