My erratic heartbeat was clearly on board. I nodded my head dumbly and stood, only to hear the damn bell go off on the door.
“There you are!” Mason shouted, running toward me and pulling me into his arms. “I missed my best friend.”
Alex groaned.
Mason ignored him.
“I loved your hands.” Mason said in gruff voice. “I knew it felt familiar. We were inseparable until a narcissistic siren caught your eye.”
“Thanks,” Alex said from behind me.
Mason continued ignoring him. “He asked about you… we were dancing together at one of those horrible dinner parties and he heard your laugh first, and then saw you second. I always thought it was peculiar that a siren would be attracted to laughter before he even saw the woman it was attached to.” Mason finally looked at Alex as he set me back on my feet. “You wanted her soul first, you just didn’t know it.”
Alex gaped.
Mason shrugged. “That is love.”
“If you start crying I’m going to punch you.” Alex said in a hoarse voice.
Mason held out his hand. “I would have helped you.”
Alex tilted his head, “Helped me?”
“I would have helped you back then, helped you go to the council, helped you talk to the remaining elves. I knew you loved her even if you were too afraid to admit it.”
“I was never afraid.”
“Yes, you were.” Mason and I said in unison.
“Not afraid,” Alex corrected, “More like terrified that she’d finally see what I was capable of and walk away.”
“Hate to break it to you, but we’ve all seen that scary as hell shit, and look, still friends. This reminds me of when King Lion—”
“NOPE!” Alex cupped his ears with his hands. “Our lives are not Disney movies.”
“But they could be!” Mason said in a teasing tone and then winked at me. I knew he was just trying to mess with Alex, as per usual.
The bell above the door rang again.
Cassius waltzed in, his wings tucked away from human sight.
“Seriously?” Alex looked toward the ceiling. “Must everyone interrupt us before—”
Cassius crossed his arms.
“—tag.” Mason finished. “Before a rousing game of tag.”
“Tag, my ass.” Ethan said behind Cassius followed by Stephanie and finally Genesis.
“Alex!” Genesis surged forward. “I’m so glad you’re okay! Also, there are a few stray dogs outside. I think they want to…” She blushed.
“Hell.” Ethan pinched the bridge of his nose.
“Why is everyone here?” I asked, since Alex looked too irritated to say anything more.
“Family.” Cassius shrugged. “We’re a family.”
I glanced around as my throat swelled.