Page 89 of Cat’s Guide To Romance

Wren sets an apple tart in front of Lucien before he can order. “You’re predictable now.”

“I prefer consistent.” Lucien takes a bite while Wren heads back toward the counter.

Breakfast stretches longer than it probably should. It usually does now. Nobody rushes away when the food is gone. Gabe talks about his knitting circle, Beau tells us something ridiculous Poe did, and Lark complains about Pike stealing the blankets again. Lucien fits into the table so naturally that sometimes I forget there was ever a time when he wasn’t sitting beside me.

Eventually, my phone buzzes with a text from Mama asking when we’re coming over. I tell her soon, then finish the last of my drink before standing. Lucien reaches for my hand automatically. That still makes me smile.

We say goodbye to everyone before stepping outside. The morning has warmed considerably, and I tilt my face toward the sun while Lucien finishes the last bite of his tart. His hand stays wrapped around mine as we walk away from the bakery.

The sun feels good. I’m happy. A little over six months ago, I was terrified that if I stopped moving, everyone would realize they didn’t need me anymore. Now I know being needed and being loved were never the same thing.

I’m still Mama’s son and Ferris’s big brother. I’m still a dancer and bartender at Flutter and Fangs, though I’ve cut back my hours because having free time is fucking fantastic. I’m still part of the loudest, nosiest friend group in Hex. I’m also Sparkle. Just Sparkle. And I finally know what he wants.

I slide my arms around Lucien’s neck. His confusion disappears as I rise onto my toes and kiss him. His hands settle against my waist, and his tail curls tighter around mine while I take my time. People walk past us. Somewhere behind me, a car door slams. The bakery door opens and closes. None of it matters. When I pull back, Lucien’s eyes are half closed and a smug little smile is spreading across his face.

I laugh and kiss the corner of his mouth. “I love you.”

There it is. That look. Six months of saying it, and Lucien still lights up every single fucking time.

“I love you too, darlin’.” His hand slides up my back before he kisses between my ears. “More than anything.”

My chest warms. Sixteen-year-old me would be absolutely losing his shit right now. He made that ridiculous Guide because he wanted someone to love every part of him. Someone who would make him laugh, take him on adventures, kiss him until the world disappeared, accept his family, accept his body, give him space when he needed it, and tell him exactly how much he was loved. He thought finding the right person would be the hard part.

Turns out the hard part was learning I could have all of that without disappearing into someone else. I can love Lucien without giving him every piece of me. I can love my family without living my life for them. I can be alone without being lonely.

Right now, I have my apartment. My family. My friends. My demon. A job I love and whole days where I don’t have to do a damn thing if I don’t want to.

And apparently, by this afternoon, I’m going to have an unnecessarily enormous cat tree. Not bad for a kitty cat who thought nobody would want him if he stopped being useful.

Lucien brushes his thumb over my cheek. “Come on. Mama’s waiting.”

Lucien lifts his fingers to snap, but I catch his hand and lace our fingers together instead.

“We can walk.”

He looks toward the road, then back at me. “That is significantly slower.”

“I know.” I squeeze his hand.

“We could already be there.”

“I know.”

Lucien studies me for another second before understanding softens his expression. He lowers his hand and falls into step beside me. I’m not in a hurry to get anywhere. I already have everything I want.

The end.