Page 102 of Heimlock

The pair exchange another glance, then Reverie says softly, “Just don’t waste time if you want to be together.”

Damn Fynn for ruining the phrase ‘just friends’ because I want to minimize this assumption in case it makes Kyrielle panic.

“Hello everyone.” The waitress, a dark purple Elf, stops at our table with a smile. Thank the goddesses. Holding a tablet, she asks, “What will everyone be having today?”

After we give our orders, the conversation shifts to Fynn’s plan for the proposal. During the entire conversation, I watch the two of them interact. It’s incredibly clear how in love Luca is with his wife. When she speaks, he hangs on to every word. When he speaks, she has a hand somewhere on his body, interjecting when necessary.

It’s an easy dynamic, not unlike Fynn and Orliana’s.

At times, I catch my focus drifting to the Fire Sprite next to me. I’ve had to shove my hands under my legs between bites of food because they desperately want to touch her. But since all we’ve done is kiss, I don’t want to push anything. Instead, I let my fingers go numb.

My whole life, I’ve wanted a partner who makes love look and feel easy. I want inside jokes and lazy mornings with coffee. Before Kyrielle, I began to think it was a pipe dream. After the speed dating night, I thought there wasn’t anyone out there for me.

But as I watch her speak enthusiastically with her hands, laughing at Luca’s jokes, I know without a doubt I’m willing to get on my knees to beg for a chance. Even if it means I’m relegated to cooking and cleaning, with the occasional cuddle, I’d sign up in a heartbeat. It’s either Kyrielle or no one. I’ve sampled enough of the outside world to know her joy is a rare treat.

When brunch is over, we mingle outside ‌the restaurant, saying our goodbyes. My fingers are still regaining sensation as I shake Luca’s hand. “Thanks for meeting with us. We’re excited for Fynn and Orliana. When he said he was proposing, there was no doubt in his mind that you’d be hired.”

Luca smiles softly. “I remember Rhuth. She was lovely. I’m sure Orliana is as well.”

“I’m biased, but I agree,” Kyrielle jokes.

She and Reverie exchange hugs and numbers. Something tells me we’ll be seeing more of these two in the coming months.

We watch them walk away, side by side. Looking down at Kyrielle’s hand, I risk it — intertwining her fingers with mine, I wait for a rebuke. Instead, she gives me the sweetest smile.

“I’m pretty beat,” she admits. “Can we go home?”

Home. I’ll follow her anywhere, but instead, I say, “Do you want to come to my place tonight? We can go grab some of your things. Not to brag, but I do live in luxury with a couch and a spice rack.” I whisper into her ear, “I can season your dinner, baby.”

Kyrielle giggles, giving my cheek a kiss. “You don’t like sleeping next to a cast iron?”

“I’ll sleep anywhere,” I hope she can sense my earnestness. “But imagine this, Firefly: a seasoned dinner, a couch, a movie, and a foot rub.”

“You’ll rub my feet?” she says, looking hopeful.

“Of course not,” I fake my disgust. “You’re rubbing my feet.”

She laughs. “Well, how could a girl resist such a proposition?”

“Exactly. So is that a yes?”

She pretends to think, tapping a finger against her chin. “Okay, as long as I can get pancakes in the morning?”

Kissing the top of her head, I say, “Firefly, nothing would delight me more.”

41

After picking up some of my things, Trinte flies us back to his apartment. It’s been well over a month since the last time I was here. When he invited me over, a part of me was worried it would be at the same level of disarray.

So imagine my surprise when it’s actually clean. As in, a real mop was used recently.

Trinte smirks as we walk in, as if knowing my thoughts. He drops my suitcase by the coffee table. “Would you like something to drink? I happen to have a dozen Heimlocks ready.”

I laugh. “A Heimlock sounds great.”

He motions to the couch. “Go on; spoil yourself. Your cute butt deserves it.”

Getting comfortable on the couch, I watch him pour the Heimlocks into clean glasses. It’s suddenly clear how much of a mess he was the day I barged in. It makes me even more curious about the Weyr reunion. Whatever it was, had this man flipped upside down.