Page 22 of Final Shift
“Ethan doesn’t have far to go. Caelan seemed prone to bursts of anger, but Ethan is a simmering teapot. One notch up in temperature and he’s going to whistle.”
Concern rippled through me. As much as I didn’t want to say this, Moira was my best friend. I needed to say it. “Have you ever thought about moving?”
Moira’s eyes snapped to mine. “Away from you?”
I shrugged. “I don’t want you to ever feel like you’re trapped, or this is all there is for you. As much as I would miss you, all I want is your happiness. If that means you need to go somewhere else, I want you to do that. But don’t think you’ll escape forever. I’ll track your ass down if you stay away too long.”
She scoffed. “I appreciate what you’re saying, but I’m happy here. Rowan’s Keep is amazing, and he’s offered me numerous opportunities to expand.”
I blinked in surprise.
“There’s a small spot in town and I’ve hinted around about opening a tea shop.”
“That would be perfect for you!” Losing her at the flower shop would mean hiring another helper, but Moira was never meant to work at Little Shop of Florals forever. When we met, we both were at a point in our lives where we needed stability. Once the flower shop was up and running, Moira could have left at any time, but we’d become a family and everyone decided as a unit to stay together.
Being married to Rowan had changed things between us all. My friends followed me here because they loved me, but I never expected things to escalate how they did or for me to make my home here. Ash loved Rowan’s lands. He would stay. Tess was firmly attached to Ash, so she would stay as long as he did.
Moira was the wildcard, and I feared she might be falling in love with Ethan, while at the same time being completely oblivious to her feelings.
That was Moira. She pegged me in an instant, but she took a while to come to terms with her own emotions.
“I like it here, Evie. Opening a tea shop sounds amazing, but there’s a lot to think about.”
“And if Ethan throws himself at your feet and professes his undying love?”
Moira’s eyes glittered with amusement. “Then I’d ask him how he feels about a long distance relationship.”
“You know part of his territory butts up against Rowan’s.”
Her jaw tightened. She hadn’t.
“And if things worked out for you, I’d be willing to cede a portion of Donovan’s old territory?—”
“Your territory,” she interrupted.
“All the same, if Ethan made you his Lady, I’d cede part of the territory so you could stay close to us.”
Her eyes shimmered with tears. “This feels like we’re children playing a what if game. If I were a princess, I’d ride a big white Pegasus and make it legal for children to have candy for breakfast.”
I looped our arms together. “And I’d bathe in marshmallows and make every night Taco night.”
We grinned at each other. “Just saying,” I said quietly. “I’d happily give it all away to have you close to us.”
She laid her dark head on my shoulder. “I know you would, and I love you for it. We both know Ethan won’t do anything of the sort, but knowing you’d do everything in your power to keep us close makes it all worth it.”
“You never know,” I murmured. “Look at what happened to me. Rowan would have walked away from everything for me.”
“And you made him a king because of it.” Moira sighed. “Maybe one day I will find someone who’d do those things for me.”
“Never maybe,” I said solemnly. “You will find him. You know why?”
Moira sighed. “Because I’m amazing?”
“Yup. And gorgeous. And talented. And you can bake like a fiend, and men love bitches who bake.”
She let out a bark of laughter.
“And you’re super hot and funny and a little wicked.”
