Page 11

Jamie

“Where to next?” Anders asks.

I drive out of the parking spot. “Brooklyn.”

“What’s there?”

“When my grandma died, she left me her bookshop.”

Anders hums. I’m not sure if he knows what books are. After we drive across the Brooklyn Bridge, it’s only ten minutes to the shop. Once we park, Anders follows me into the little blue shop with big glass windows. The sign over the shop welcomes us to Moon Beans and Books Café.

Every time I unlock the doors, memories of Gran rush back to me.

When I was a kid, if my parents were busy, they’d drop me off here.

I’d study at one of the tables while Gran baked fresh pastries, or I’d while away the hours reading fantasy books or blushing over a steamy romance novel.

She always had the latest bestsellers. When I was a college student studying to earn a degree in entrepreneurship, Gran gave me a job and helped put me through school.

After Grandma died a year ago, I worried the café would lose much of its heart and soul, but I’ve done my best to keep her spirit alive.

I’ve created my own coffee blend that flies off the shelves and expanded our stock to include books by indie authors rather than just the latest bestseller from the big publishing houses.

My bookshelves full of diverse stories by queer and BIPOC authors are the highlight of the store.

I always wanted to read more books with queer characters like me when I was growing up, and I know so many people crave that representation too, so it’s important to me that my shop helps provide a platform for those much-needed voices.

This shop is my baby, so it really pisses me off when people try and take advantage of me and mess with my store.

Like my former employee. I tried to be understanding, gave her chance after chance, but she kept missing work and coming in late if she came in at all.

Just a few days ago, she quit without any notice and left me searching for her replacement.

Then, a Viking werewolf burst out of the Hudson River and landed at my feet. Anders wants to earn my grandma’s necklace? I have an idea for where he can start.

“How would you like to work here?”

Anders almost drops a book he’s lifted from a shelf. “You want me to work? Here?” His eyes go wide as he looks up and down the shop.

“It’s a simple job,” I assure him, hoping I don’t give the guy a coronary. “Nothing complicated like making coffee. I just need someone to stock shelves and keep the store clean. Do you think you could do that?”

Anders huffs and crosses his arms. “Do I look like I’m incapable of manual labor to you?”

I throw him a wink. “Puppy dog, you look capable of throwing me over your shoulder and carrying me off to your den to have your wicked way with me. So that’s a yes?”

He shrugs said shoulders. “Just tell me what needs doing.”

“Like I said, just cleaning and simple stuff like that. If you want, we could work up toward you being a barista.”

“For how long would I be indentured to you?”

Oh, right. Our time together has an end date.

Anders will want to go back to his time.

My wolf whines in my chest. I cough to try and hide the pitiful noise that escapes me.

I barely know Anders. Why do I care if he leaves?

“Until after the New Year, if that’s all right, so about three months.

The holidays are the busiest time of year for us. ”

Anders runs a hand through his thick beard, considering my offer. “Very well. I accept your offer on the condition that you give me food and lodgings until I can return to my time.”

“Of course. I’d be happy for you to stay with me.” More than happy, actually. If I were shifted right now, my tail would be spinning in circles.

“When can I start?”

“We’re closed today. There was some flooding in the basement, but that’s all cleared up. But how about tomorrow?”

Throat bobbing, Anders says, “T-tomorrow?”

Fighting back a chuckle at his nerves, I flick some of his long hair out of his rugged but handsome face. “Relax, puppy dog. You’ve got this. You’ll shadow someone and they’ll show you the ropes.”

Anders’s shoulders loosen. “Oh. Aye, I can work with ropes.”

A laugh escapes me before I can stop myself. “No, not those kinds of—never mind.”

Ah, he’s too much fun.

If I’m not careful, I could really see myself liking this guy.

Crap.

Jace is bursting with excitement when I pick him up from school. “Mr. Gladston wants us to pick our own subjects for a presentation.”

His excitement makes my chest warm with affection. Mr. Gladston is his history teacher, and Jace adores him. “That’s cool! What do you want to give a presentation on?”

“Duh, Vikings! Hey, Anders!” Jace sprints toward the car. Before I can warn Jace not to pester Anders, the big Viking squats down to Jace’s eye level and offers my brother a smile that makes me almost trip over my own feet. How is such an intimidating guy capable of looking so… sweet?

“Aye, lad? Have a good day at your school?” His deep voice is soft and warm, making my chest hitch.

“It was great! Hey, Anders, can you come do a presentation with me at my school? I want to tell my class all about Vikings!”

It’s not a terrible idea. Nobody will actually believe he’s a real Viking from another time, but a Viking werewolf in a classroom full of rowdy children doesn’t sound like the best combination. Anders will probably be overwhelmed by the environment.

Anders says, “I’d be happy to. What is a presentation?”

The last thing I want is for Anders to put himself in an uncomfortable situation. He’s already stressed as is. “Jace, hey, bud. How about you get buckled in? We can discuss this at home.”

Once Jace is in the car and buckled up, I drive us home. Jace challenges Anders to a race up the stairs, and I’m surprised when Anders obliges, grinning like a big kid as they race each other to the fifth floor. Huffing a laugh, I jog after them.

Anders hasn’t known Jace for even a full day, but he’s already better with him than most guys I’ve dated for weeks.

Chest tightening with longing, I halt on the stairs.

Anders isn’t staying. He isn’t . Staying .

I can’t afford to get attached to some guy who clearly has his own motives and priorities.

“Yes!” Jace slaps his palm against the front door. “Beat you!”

“Jace,” I scold lightly, then glance at Anders. He’s panting exaggeratedly. There’s no way my kid brother could have beaten a Viking werewolf. Did Anders let him win?

Damn it. That’s so sweet. And I’m supposed to not daydream about a future with him?

“That you did, lad,” Anders says, ruffling Jace’s hair when he comes to stand beside him.

Unlocking the door, I let everyone inside. “Are you hungry?” I ask Jace. I made sure to pack him his usual lunch, so he shouldn’t be.

“Nope. Can I play video games?” He flashes a charming smile.

“For an hour, but then you need to do your homework, okay?”

Jace boots up the PlayStation, then throws himself on the sofa. “Got it!”

Chuckling, Anders says, “He’s a good lad.”

“The best brother a guy could ask for,” I say, smiling as Jace starts playing Rachet & Clank .

Anders sniffs his underarm. “Where is the nearest hot spring?”

“We don’t have those here, but you can use my shower.”

“A… shower?”

“Yeah. You know. A bath.”

Anders cocks his head. “Is it Laugardagr?”

I have to google on my phone what the hell that word means. Turns out it’s an old Norse word for Saturday. “No. Why?”

“It’s wash day.”

“Nowadays, most people bathe at least every day.”

His eyes widen. “Every day? But that’s such a waste of water!”

“No, no! It’s okay. We have plenty of water here.” I show Anders where the bathroom is. “How about you give me your clothes. I’ll wash them.”

Anders arches a brow. “You do this all yourself? Don’t you have any thralls to do your chores for you?”

“You mean like a maid or something? Yeah, I wish I could afford to pay a cleaner. This place seriously needs it.”

He sighs. “Fine. I suppose I can wash my own linens. Is there a river around here?”

A snort of laughter escapes me. “I have a washer and dryer in my unit. Just strip. I’ll take care of it.”

Anders undresses, grumbling about how I shouldn’t be washing his clothes.

His eyes widen when I turn the tap and water gushes into the tub.

“You don’t have to gather water? It fills itself?

” He marvels at the water, running a hand curiously through it.

“It’s so warm!” He adjusts the knob and gasps when the temperature drops.

“Hot and cold at the turn of a knob! Odin’s beard, this is astonishing! ”

I grin at his enthusiasm. For such a scary-looking guy, he really is adorable. “There are towels on the rack, and I have a spare comb there. I’ll do your laundry.” I leave Anders to his own devices and get the washer running.

With the washer cleaning his linens, I collapse on the sofa and watch Jace play games. He’s good at gaming, but I was never really into it. Books were always my go-to escapism. “You’re feeling better, huh?”

Jace’s fingers slip on the controls, making his character fall to their death. “Darn it! Uh. Yeah. I’m fine.” Thanks to my shifter senses, I pick up the way his heart skips and his scent darkens with something like… guilt?

“Hey. Pause the game a sec. Talk to me.”

Sighing exasperatedly, Jace sets down the controller and stares into his lap. “I’m sorry.” He rubs his nose. “For messing up your date.”

Jace thinks it’s his fault? I had no idea he was blaming himself. “That wasn’t your fault.”

“Yes, it was,” Jace huffs, blinking fast. “I always mess things up for you.”

Shaking my head, I touch his shoulder. “You do not. It’s not your fault you get anxious sometimes, Jace.”

“But you were really looking forward to it.” Jace’s lips tremble, tears brightening his eyes. “You were happy. You’re never happy.”

Is that what he thinks? Horrified, I stay silent as I churn over the past week or so, trying to remember what kind of a mood I was in.

Sure, I try to be upbeat and positive, but lately, a lot of it feels like an act.

Rent is tight, and I’ve basically got two full-time jobs—the bookshop and being a parent to my little brother.

Maybe there was one time I cursed when I screwed up dinner, or maybe I sweat over little mistakes too much, but I try to stay positive for his sake.

So he doesn’t realize how fucking deep I’m drowning some days.

The truth is, I don’t know if I can keep the bookshop going and raise Jace, but I’ve got to.

It’s hard when, after an exhausting day burning the candle at both ends, I come home to a cold, empty bed.

I can’t remember when I last had time for myself or even finished a book.

Most days, I don’t think I’m a good caretaker to Jace.

My parents were so much better at this than I am, and they’re gone.

I have no one to rely on, no one I can trust with my brother but myself, and a lot of the time, I don’t even know if anything I do is good enough.

Swallowing the lump in my throat, I make myself smile. “Jace.”

He stubbornly avoids my gaze.

“Hey.” Reaching out, I tip up his chin and look him in his watery eyes. “That guy I went out with? He was a jerk.”

“You’re just saying that,” Jace mumbles, picking at a loose thread hanging from his jeans.

“I mean it. He was a big, nasty chicken butt.” Jace snorts, and I grin. “Listen to me, kiddo. Nobody is coming between us. If I have to choose between you and some guy, I’m choosing you. End of story.”

Jace makes a face like what I said was gross, but happiness blooms in his scent like sweet spring flowers. “What if they’re Henry Cavill?”

I gawk at him. This kid… “Okay, if I have to choose between you and Henry Cavill, I’m picking Cavill, but anyone else gets the boot!” When Jace erupts into giggles, my own laughter bubbles out of me. “Get over here.”

“No!”

“Come here!” I yank him against me and tickle him until he’s gasping for breath. Breathless with laughter myself, I give him a squeeze. “Love you, little bro.”

“You too,” he says grudgingly, but he’s smiling when we pull apart.

“Now, go do your homework.”

Pouting at me, Jace does as he’s told. The bedroom door closes behind him, and I fall back against the cushions. I meant every word. I will always put Jace first. Our little family is broken and unconventional, but we’re all we’ve got.

Nobody’s coming between us, even if I have to be alone for the rest of my life.