Page 82 of The Patron Saint of Timber Hollow

"Prime rib."

"Oo, la, la," Sam hums, shimmying her shoulders, and I can't hold back my laugh anymore. "Artemis tells me you made mac and cheese?"

"Did she? Yes, there is an abundance of mac and cheese."

"He made it a few weeks ago— trust me, it's amazing," I say to Sam, covering my mouth with my hand like I'm telling her a secret, even if Saint and I don't break eye contact.

Sam merely says, "We shall see, blondie," lacing her fingers under her chin.

Then, my phone buzzes in my hand again, and the notification reveals Ivy's arrival text. "Ivy's here. Sam, you coming or staying?"

"Coming," She hums, snagging another slice of salami, a hunk of cheese curd, and an olive on her way out of the kitchen with me.

When I reach the door, I greet Ivy with a "Hello, Darling," offering her arm. Immediately, her demeanor changes, tensionloosening from her shoulders, and the crease between her forehead smoothing out.

She chuffs a laugh, stepping in, removing her shoes, and hanging her jacket up.

Ivy is wearing green velvety dress pants, a white blouse over them, and gold chains gathered around her wrists and adorning her neck.

"Itoldyou you couldn't just wearjeans, Artemis Leto Hunt," Sam sings, making Ivy laugh.

"You werenotgoing to wear jeans to your first hosted family dinner since moving back while having a steady relationship?" Ivy gives me a look that just saysgirl.

"In my defense-" I start, but Sam cuts me off.

"I was there when your mom was gushing about Daisy's cooking. How she's always 'impeccably dressed' and is anamazinghostess. You'd be opening yourself up for comparison, and you know it."

Immediately, I snap my mouth closed, teeth clacking.

She's right, you know,my wolf says, golden eyes gazing out from the depths of my soul.Someone had to say it,she remarks again, receding back to the depths of my subconscious.

"Alright,fine.Thank you both for having my back," I say, grabbing their hands. Sam and Ivy give me a small smile, squeezing my fingers gently. "So, Ivy, what did Dante do?"

Ivy sighs, but Jay walks through the door carrying an enormous bouquet. Her story will have to wait a little longer.

"Hey, Gorgeous," he hums, striding over to pull me into a deep kiss, his free arm gripping my ribs.

When he lets me go, I know I'm blushing with how fiercely my cheeks burn, but Jay just gives me that grin that sends my heart racing and says, "These are for you."

"For me, Why?" I ask, hearing the distinct sound of the other door opening, Dante's thundering gallop up the stairs to his room.

"To remind you that you are loved. Deeply, " he says, depositing the flowers in my hands. Soft pink wild roses with thorns intact and deep green ferns are arranged throughout.

My chest pinches, chin immediately wobbling.

"Fuck you for making me cry-" I laugh, tilting my face up to the ceiling. My eyes burn with tears, and I can't remember whether I had used my waterproof mascara this morning. Sam and Ivy cackle with me and start fanning my face with their hands.

Jay chuckles softly and whispers, "I adore you," in my ear when he takes the flowers from my hands.

"Hey, Big Guy-" I shout when he's a few steps away. Jay turns and gives me a heated look, replying with a quick "Yeah?"

"Thank you," I reply, giving him a soft smile. Jay's smile reappears, and then I add, "Will you bring me and the girls some drinks?" I hook my thumb over my shoulder toward the stairs, intending to sit on the bench with them to talk while we wait for our other guests.

My family-eugh.

"Anything for you, baby girl," Jay says, nodding.

When the girls and I march up the stairs, arms linked at the elbow- I ask again, "So, what did Monsieur Kincayde do?"