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To say the night had not gone the way Adam thought it would was an understatement. “You want to go right now.”

She nodded quickly, like she needed to do it before she changed her mind.

“If you’re scared?—”

“Of course I’m scared, but you’ll protect me.”

“With every fiber of my being.” He’d never meant anything more. He also loved that she knew he’d protect her.

“Then you’ll do it? You’ll take me up?”

He couldn’t believe this was happening. “Absolutely. Yes. But you should probably put something warmer on. It’s cold up there. Not for me, but it will be for you.”

“Okay. Give me a second.” She got up and ran back inside.

He stared after her a moment, then looked at the sky and grinned. He was about to take Sydney Marlowe flying. What crazy life was he living?

He stood up, unsure if he should shift now, or wait until she came back out. He opted to wait, figuring it would be better for her to see him do it. To understand that it really was him, just in a different shape.

She returned wearing a sweater and thick fleece pants with socks and sneakers. She held up something dark. “I grabbed a hat. Is it that cold? Should I put this on?”

“It’s definitely cold. My size and warmth will give you a little buffer, but it might be better to cover your ears all the same.”

“Okay.” She tugged on the dark beanie, pulling it down over her long red hair.

She somehow still looked utterly adorable. But also a little nervous.

“Think it’s okay to leave the dogs out here?” he asked. “We won’t go for too long.”

“They’ll be fine. Um, you can talk and hear and all that when you’re a gargoyle, right? I mean, I know you can. See, dumb question.”

“Not dumb. I can function in every way, but my voice sounds different.” He gave her his best reassuring smile. “You ready for me to shift?”

She tugged at the hem of her sweater and nodded.

He took a few steps away from the deck where she was standing and gave himself over to the magic.

It swept through him with a surge of energy that coursed through every muscle and bone in his body, bringing with it the change in size, shape, and strength.

When he looked at her again, her eyes were wide.

He spread his arms but kept his wings close to his body. “Still me. Just a bigger version with a different exterior.”

“Right,” she breathed out. Hesitantly, she came down the steps, chewing her bottom lip as she gazed at him. She stopped in front of him and lifted her hand. “Can I … touch you?”

“Of course.”

She reached up, her fingers coasting down his shoulder to his arm, the pressure so light he almost couldn’t feel it.

Even so, the sensation shivered through him, pleasurable in a way he had no words to describe.

She spread her fingers, this time planting her hand on his biceps and giving it a squeeze.

“It’s so weird. Not you. I mean, it’s just different.

Your skin kind of feels like hide. But also stone because you’re so hard.

You look like stone. I’ve never felt anything like it.

I thought you’d be cold, but you’re a lot warmer than I expected. ”

“I am still a living being.”

“Good point.” She took her hand away. “Okay, I’m ready. How do we do this?”

He crouched down on all fours, lowering himself to the ground. “Climb on. Position yourself between my wings and put your arms around my neck.”

“Got it.” With more care than was necessary, she did just that.

He could sense her hesitancy in the way she moved, the deliberateness of her actions. It was sweet that she thought she might cause him some discomfort. “You don’t have to be careful. You won’t break me.”

Her arms went around his neck, the scent of her filling his nose. “Okay, I’m on.”

“You feel secure?”

Her grip increased. “Yes.”

“Hang on tight. Get your legs around me, too. Like you’re riding a horse. Takeoff is quick. You need to have a good seat.”

She made a few adjustments, pressing herself against him. “That’s better.”

“All right. Ready?”

He felt her swallow. “Yes.”

“Here we go.” He leaped straight into the air with power, pumping his wings to ascend as smoothly as he could.

Sydney’s mouth was right next to his ear. She let out a small yelp, but it was quickly followed by a laugh.

He smiled, grateful she couldn’t see his teeth bared.

He leveled out and turned, taking her toward town, keeping his altitude low enough that she could see things but not so low that they’d be detected.

Fortunately, there weren’t many people out at this hour.

After a minute or two, he asked, “What do you think?”

“It’s … it’s amazing .”

Smiling again, he glided over Main Street, going as slowly as he could.

All throughout the flight, she whispered words of wonder and pointed at things.

He’d never had such a good time. Or a better passenger.

He’d taken Veronika flying twice. The first time she’d said it was all right.

The second time, all she’d done was complain about the cold, even though he’d warned her.

After Main Street, he followed the river to the falls, which were beautiful by moonlight, and then he went up into the hills where there were cabins and some much larger houses. In a few spots, despite it being June, he caught the scent of woodsmoke.

From there, they went out toward the other end of town, to the lake, which sparkled like there were stars on the water’s surface. The scent of pine rose up from the forest to meet them.

She made lots of happy little comments, never once letting go. He loved her arms around him and how she’d gotten comfortable so quickly.

He made one final turn and headed to her house, landing in the backyard as gently as possible. Mackie and Sugarbelle were lying on the deck.

He crouched low again so she could get off. Once she was on the ground, he straightened. “What did you think?”

She was smiling but shaking her head. “I can’t believe I just did that. That we just did that. Thank you. That’s literally the coolest thing I have ever done. And I’ve done some cool stuff.”

“I bet. I’m really glad you liked it.”

“Like it? I loved it.”

He almost grinned, catching himself before he showed that much tooth. “I’m going to shift back now.”

“Okay.” She took a few steps away to give him space.

He changed, returning to his human form. When he looked at her again, he marveled at how brightly her eyes were shining. Then he realized she was crying. His heart sank. Had he done something? He’d been so careful. “Hey, what’s wrong?”

She sniffed and turned away so she wasn’t quite facing him. “Sorry, I just—that was really something. You’re really something. And I just realized that you’re leaving and…” A tear slid down her cheek. “I’m really going to miss you.”

“Syd…” He didn’t know what to say. He took a breath, trying to think of something. The best he could do was, “I’m really going to miss you, too.”

Her eyes still shining, she faced him, putting her hands on his arms. “Then … stay . You could probably keep working at the fountain. That is your job, right?”

“Right, it is. But I’m only there temporarily while another guy is out on paternity leave.

I already asked.” He sighed. “Also, I have a job waiting for me in Chicago when I get back. At a restaurant. It’s owned by a friend of a friend of mine, and he said he’d train me to be a chef.

I have to start at the bottom, but I don’t care. ”

Some of the light left her eyes. “That’s great. I’m really glad for you. I know how much you want to cook.”

“Yeah, I do.” He smiled. “You could come with me to Chicago.”

She shook her head as she stepped back, her hands slipping off his arms. “The city’s not my dream anymore. I’m where I belong. I know that now.”

They stood there in silence. His thoughts spun with possibilities. “Maybe … maybe I could get a job here. I don’t know. I’d have to look. Put some feelers out. As long as they were all right with me not starting until my current gig is over?—”

“It’s okay, I understand. You have a great opportunity waiting for you.

You get to cook, and you’re back in the city.

I get it. I know exactly that pull. The excitement, the constant activity, the hustle and bustle.

All while you’re working on your dream. You should definitely go for it.

” She lifted one shoulder. “Besides, we hardly know each other. Just because we’re good neighbors doesn’t mean we’d be good at more than that. ”

Maybe she was right, but he felt like they’d be great at more than that. He’d talk to Nick tomorrow. See if he knew about any other opportunities. Didn’t hurt to ask.

She smiled, although it wasn’t that convincing. “We have five months to hang out and have fun. That’ll just have to do. We’ll make the most of it.”

He nodded, feeling a little numb. Better than nothing, he supposed. “Yeah.”

She gestured toward the house. “It’s late. I should probably get to bed. Thanks for coming over to talk to me. And for the flying.” Her smile was real now. “That was the best.”

“It was fun. I should get some sleep, too.”

“You want to come through the house or?—?”

“Nah, I can go back over the fence. No problem.” He patted his leg. “Sugarbelle. Come on, girl.” She sleepily got up and made her way to him. He picked her up. “I guess I’ll see you tomorrow, Syd.”

She nodded as she lifted Mackie into her arms. “Tomorrow.”

As she went in, he jumped back over the fence, Sugarbelle in his arms. He carried her into the house, putting her down in the kitchen.

He locked up, his mind replaying the events of the night. Was something wrong with him? Was he really going to go back to Chicago when the woman who might be the one was here?

What made more sense: pursuing his dream of cooking or pursuing love? Could Sydney love him?

Yesterday, he’d have said no way. Now things were very different.

But were they different enough?

He had no idea. Things with Veronika had been great in the beginning, too, and look how that had turned out.

What he and Sydney needed was time. They needed to get to know each other. To be sure they were really compatible. That love was a possibility.

Because she was right that they didn’t really know each other. How long would it take? Was five months enough?