Three months later
“Jeffrey’s leg is still in a cast.” Gabby rolled half over in her chair, she was laughing so hard.
“And the thing is, if you ask him how he did it, his story gets more and more elaborate every time. Betty told me in strictest confidence that he’d tripped over a rope at that Shibari thing.
He was so busy eyeing up all the displays, he didn’t pay any attention to where he was going. ”
Senan laughed with her. There were a few times he missed working, but Gabby made sure he didn’t lose his friendships just because he’d rather spend his time with his mate.
Looking across their new porch, he caught Finlay’s eyes and winked.
His mate looked very competent cooking meat on his new grill and chatting to Brennan and Alex.
A couple of Finlay’s shifter friends had dropped in and were entertaining Fern and Aisha.
The only one who hadn’t arrived was Wyatt, but he had an exam and would be dropping by later.
For Senan, life had become fun again. He wasn’t sure when it happened exactly, but with Finlay in his life, he found himself laughing more, more willing to go out, or even just lay around and enjoy his books – and his mate.
He didn’t worry if his scar or fae self was showing.
Finlay accepted him, and for Senan that was a confidence boost he didn’t realize he needed.
“So…how are things with you?” Gabby tapped his arm. “Is mated life all it’s cracked up to be?”
“Yes.” Senan nodded. “It’s…life changing in the most amazing way.”
“Here’s hoping it happens to me one day.
Surely there’s a shifter out there somewhere who can handle all my awesomeness.
Oh, my gods, did I tell you about that last date I went on?
I thought things were going so well over dinner, and then he started telling me about how his wife didn’t understand him.
His wife! I got out of that restaurant like my ass was on fire.
He’d never mentioned a wife when we were making plans to meet up.
I tell you, there are times when I just want to give up… Oh, my gods. Why didn’t you tell me?”
“Tell you what?” Senan got up and looked around as Gabby started screaming and flapping her arms around.
His eyes widened as a new man went over to Finlay, embracing him warmly.
A very familiar-looking man, although he was wearing more clothes than the last time Senan had seen him. “I didn’t know. I swear I didn’t know.”
Finlay must’ve said something as he and the new arrival came over. “Senan, a friend of mine was in town. I hope you don’t mind him dropping in. Maximus, this is my mate, Senan and his good friend, Gabby.”
“It’s an honor to meet you, Senan.” Maximus Khan gave him a brief nod, but Senan could already see his attention was more focused on Gabby who was now burying her face in her shaking hands.
“I’m going to kill you. I’m going to stab you with my fingernails for this, Senan. How could you not tell me?”
“Excuse me, beautiful lady, are you all right?”
Gabby looked up, her red curls flying as she nodded. “Beautiful? You… You’re Maximus Khan. In my friend’s backyard – a friend who didn’t tell me you were coming. Maximus Khan!”
“And you, my lovely lady smell delicious.” Maximus’s voice got deeper, and Senan saw his eyes flash with his animal side. “You’re the mate I’ve waited for my whole life. We must get to know each other. Excuse us, Fin, Senan, nice barbecue.”
Before Gabby or Senan could say another word, Maximus picked Gabby up out of her chair and carried her bridal style around the side of the house. Senan just heard a faint, “I’ll call you tomorrow…” before the sound was drowned out by a car door slamming.
“So, he’s not one for conversation, is he?” Senan started to laugh. “Did you set him up to do that?”
“No, I wouldn’t do that.” Finlay quickly shook his head. “I just let him know we were having a small get-together, and it would be a good opportunity for him to meet you. If he says Gabby is his mate, then she definitely is. Shifters don’t joke about things like that.”
“Wow. Just wow.” Senan poked Finlay’s arm. “Your meat’s burning.”
“Damn it, Brennan, you were supposed to turn it over. Haven’t you seen a movie star before?” Finlay hurried over to his prized grill as Wyatt came around the side of the house.
“Hey, Senan, I think I’ve been hit by your magic.” He was rubbing his head. “Or I could be tired.” Like the rest of his friends, Wyatt had accepted Senan being a fae with no problems at all.
“Why… What did you see?” Senan only had his wards around the house, and they were set very low so his non-para friends wouldn’t be impacted by them.
Wyatt pointed back in the direction he’d arrived. “I would swear I just saw Gabby being driven off in this huge limo being driven by that actor fella, Maximus Khan. I’m seeing things that aren’t there, right?”
“Oh, nope. That happened. Finlay knows Maximus, and he dropped in, got one sniff of Gabby, and carried her off into the sunset. They’re fated mates.”
“Cool.” Wyatt nodded. “That would explain why she was always going on about him without his shirt on. Hey, Aisha, how did you do on your exam?”
He wandered off and Senan sat back down watching his mate and friends enjoy each other’s company. As he took a sip of the wine Finlay had brewed for them personally, he spared a thought for the family and friends he thought he had back on the fae realm. I really don’t miss them at all.
He idly rubbed the scar on his face, no longer hidden because his friends and mate accepted him for who he truly was.
“Sen, babe, I don’t think even your magic can save this steak. Do you mind having chicken instead?”
“You’re the one who likes to eat your meat darn near raw. Bring it over. It’s probably perfect for me.” Just like you are. And with the smile Finlay gave him, Senan knew he was thinking the same thing.
The End