Page 20 of Love Bites (Timber Creek #2)

CHAPTER 20

SUMMER

Summer

Okay, two things. One, I slept with my half-angel-half-vampire husband this morning.

Indi

You WHAT? Your WHAT??

Summer

And two, I have a husband. Max and I got married in Vegas yesterday!

I snapped a picture of my wedding ring and sent it over. Then I realized what was in the photo’s background and added,

Summer

Oops. And three, we’re in Paris!

Indi

EXCUSE ME!!!!!!

Three dots appeared for a long time. While Indi composed herself, I switched over to my family group chat and took a deep breath.

Summer

Yoohoo! Hi family. I hate to do this over text, but time is of the essence.

Terran

Fuck are you pregnant

Dad

GASP

Summer

NO. No.

West

Who am I murdering?

Summer

No murder!

Cooper

We’ll see.

Leif

Everyone, can we let Summer speak?

Summer

Thank you! This is why you’re my favorite.

Terran

brB I have a baby gift to return

Summer

Okay. Let me get this all out.

One, Max and I got married in Vegas last night.

West

Murder is back on the table.

Cooper

It was never off, brother.

Summer

STOP

Two: we’re taking our honeymoon in Europe! Um, as we speak!

I sent the same photo I’d sent Indi, which happened to show the Eiffel Tower in the background of my gorgeous ring I couldn’t stop staring at. Currently, Max and I were having a very late lunch right in front of it.

Terran

Cruz and I could probably get there in ten minutes. West?

West started typing, then stopped, and I held my breath. I didn’t really think my brothers would show up, but with three Alpha men whose animals took over, it was anyone’s guess.

While I waited, I scrolled back up, trying to see if Aspen had chimed in, but she hadn’t said anything yet. It was late morning in Colorado, so maybe she was busy working? Or had she decided it wasn’t worth her time to bother commenting?

I hated how much that second thought hurt.

The next text came through in my private thread with West.

West

Be honest, are you good?

I couldn’t type fast enough, relief whooshing through me. West’s protective nature as Alpha of our pack extended beyond just a typical big brother, and his wolf was his own entity — like two souls living under his skin. But I wasn’t in danger — yet. Hopefully I could appease both my brother and his wolf.

Summer

Pinky promise.

West hearted my response, and I switched back over to the group chat.

Summer

I know it’s fast, but when you know, you know, right? Maybe this wasn’t the wedding I thought I’d have, but Max is great to me and I’m happy and we’re having fun. We didn’t want to wait to start our adventure together.

There. Not a lie.

Dad

I’m happy for you, sweetie. Just promise you’ll let your old man celebrate you two when you get back? I can’t believe one of my babies is married and I missed it.

I glanced over at Max, frowning at his phone on the other side of the little cast iron table at our sidewalk café. His body language was closed off, but his leg rested against mine under the table, making both my wolf and I elated at the small touch. Without asking, I was sure Max had never experienced the kind of chaos my father’s “celebrations” entailed, but I couldn’t stop my smile from spreading at the mental image it conjured. We’d cross that bridge when we came to it.

Summer

Of course!

Cooper

Which will be when?

I faltered, since I had no idea when we were returning to Colorado. In fact, I’d asked almost no questions about this whole vampire hunt — were we looking here in Paris? Other cities? Was this just a pit stop because of my bucket list having the Eiffel Tower at the very top, and I’d mentioned it in Vegas? That thought sent little romantic butterflies fluttering in my stomach, but I squashed them, trying to remind myself that this was business, no matter how insane the sex had been last night. Talk about work perks.

Summer

I’ll let you know!

Aspen

What’s happening with your shop in the meantime?

My heart lurched when her name popped up, and then sank at her words. No congratulations, no support, just pure logic — reminding me of my responsibilities I’d left in the dust.

Summer

I have it all squared away with Olive!

That was a total lie, but I was sure she’d be on board to help out longer. And if not, I’d figure it out.

Just then, a giant paragraph came in from Indi, and I quickly flipped over to her chat to avoid seeing my family’s response.

Indi

I CAN’T BELIEVE YOU SLEPT WITH HIM. Nevermind, I totally can, he’s super hot. Go you girl, hot diggity! Also PARIS! Have the absolute best time! If this marriage is all part of your track-vamps scheme, tell me EVERYTHING and if it is real, I swear to God, TELL ME EVERYTHING. What is vamp sex like? Or ANGEL sex? By the way, did I know he was a vamp? I guess I should have with the wings and all. That makes so much more sense. But damn, I’m beginning to realize how sheltered I am, and that’s saying something because you know your girl hasn’t been a nun. If vamp/angel sex wasn’t on your bucket list, add it and then cross it off, because it should have been. Now I’m kinda curious. Pretty soon you won’t have anything left on that list, but I’m sure after a few margaritas we can think of some new ideas!

I grinned like a fool as Indi continued to gush with enthusiasm over this turn of events in my life, and I needed it. Indi was my girl, always there for me. She talked sense into me when I deserved it, but more often than not, she trusted me to make my own decisions and hopped right onto whatever my latest bandwagon was with equal enthusiasm.

Summer

I love you, Indi-Go-Go.

Indi

Good because you’re stuck with me.

My phone started pinging almost nonstop, so I switched out of our chat to see private messages coming in from almost all my family members.

Terran

You know I love you, right? If you tell me you’re happy, I’m happy for you.

Leif

MARRIED?! Wedding pics??

Cooper

Let Russo know if he hurts a hair on your head, he’ll never see another day of peace. Nevermind, I’ll threaten him myself.

Aspen

Olive isn’t here yet, so I put a sign up on the door. She has a key, right? Heading back to Denver today.

I rolled my eyes.

Cruz

I’ve got the keys to your shop sitting right here, and I’ll keep an eye on it. Congrats lil sis! Have the best time.

Dad

Ask Max if red velvet is too on the nose for your wedding cake? Or what about death by chocolate?

I bit back a smile.

Summer

As long as there’s no actual blood, red velvet is great. Thanks, Dad. Miss you!

Dad

Anything for you. And I miss you too, sweetie.

I set my phone down after that, taking a long sip of my café au lait , and a bite of my croissant. A kid rushed by on a scooter, his parents following at a leisurely stroll, and for the first time since waking up this afternoon, I let myself take in the fact that I was in Paris.