Page 24 of Seneca

“I love the ring,” she said, tilting her head to his for a kiss.“And I love you.”

“I got us the weekend off for our mating,” he said.“We can stay in one of the apartments so we can have lots of privacy.Since I’ll be rocking your world nonstop the whole time.”

“I love that,” she said.“I can’t wait.”

They decided to enjoy the warm evening and watched another rom-com, finishing off the fruit salad and cheesecake before cleaning up and heading down to the house.It had been one of the best nights he’d had with Sunny, culminating in the truth that they both loved each other and were ready to take the next steps in their relationship.He’d wondered if asking her to marry him before they were mated was a mistake, but he was certain it was the right choice.The ring was his promise that he was all in on the mating, no matter that she was a non-shifting half-tigress or that he was a bear.They were meant to be together, and he was going to do his damnedest to make her the happiest female on the planet.

He was just the male for the job.

As the evening shift came to a close, Sunny smiled at how much she enjoyed working at the burger stall.It was Friday evening, and she couldn’t believe how fast the week had gone by.With Seneca manning the grill, she had quickly found a rhythm to working the air fryer and dressing the burgers.The burger of the day with bacon jam made by Lucy and Tarquin had been another hit with the patrons.

She’d gotten to chat with customers while they waited in line and loved to talk to the kids about their favorite animals in the petting zoo.

“My cheeks hurt from smiling so much,” she said, rubbing them lightly.It made her smile even more.

“You really like working with me?”Seneca asked as he finished scrubbing the grill.

“I love it.It’s so fun.”

“I love you being here with me.”

She didn’t just like talking to customers and seasoning baskets of fries, she loved working with Seneca.She loved what a talented cook he was, and sneaking peeks at him when he wasn’t looking.And stealing kisses whenever they had a break.

That might have been her favorite thing.

Marcus joined them.“How was the shift?”

“Great,” Seneca said.“Whenever we have the bacon jam burger, it’s always a hit.”

“Oh yeah,” Marcus said.“We can’t keep the bacon jam in stock in the gift shop.So how are you liking it, Sunny?”

“I was just telling Seneca how much I love working here.I know it’s only been a week, but it’s been so fun.”

“I’m glad,” he said.“I’m officially offering you the job if you’d like it.I know you’re off for the weekend, so you can start on Monday.You’ll rotate lunch and dinner shifts with Tarquin and Lucy.”

“Thank you so much!That’s really amazing!”She looked at Seneca.“Can you believe it?I’ve got a job!”

He laughed and drew her close for a kiss.“Congratulations, sweetheart.We’ll add that to what we’re celebrating this weekend.”

“Oh yes, speaking of,” Marcus said.“We’re all set for Saturday night.”

“Awesome,” he said.

The sleuth was having a cookout Saturday night after the park closed to welcome her officially.She couldn’t wait.

Marcus said goodbye, and she and Seneca got back to closing up the stall.As she was tying one of the trash bags closed, she had the strangest feeling come over her.

“You okay?”Seneca asked.

“Yeah.Maybe?I feel really weird.”

“Weird how?”

“Like something feels off.”She rubbed the space over her heart and looked around.There weren’t many patrons since the park was closing soon, and she didn’t see anything out of the ordinary.

He straightened and scanned the area.“I don’t see anything or feel anything off.What do you think you’re feeling?”

“I’m not sure.It’s weird, though.”