Yes, I would miss familiars, but there were lots of other jobs working with animals. I could find something fulfilling, something that made me happy. Having Declan in my life—in any capacity—was worth it.

Declan looked up then, warm brown eyes meeting mine. He grinned and it felt almost physical. Like I’d dipped my toe in a hot bath and that heat flowed through me all the way up to the roots of my hair. I actually blushed.

Just from a smile.

Later that night, I went over to my mom’s place to watch a movie. With everything going on, I hadn’t been able to spend time with her. Not that we were by ourselves. Declan of course came with me.

My mom was making popcorn on the stove in her small kitchen while I supervised. Neither of us wanted burnt popcorn. As soon as it was done, we’d sit down to watch whatever film she’d picked out. We took turns picking movies and tonight was hers. Tonight we were watching Clue because it was one of her favorite movies and she’d discovered that Declan had never seen it.

I peeked into the living room and spotted Declan stretched on the couch, completely sacked out. He had one arm flung over his head, his face turned into the cushions so I only saw the back of his head. His stomach lifted up and down slowly with each breath. He looked so peaceful.

Mom also peeked around the corner to see what I was staring at. She grinned.

“Shut up,” I said, giving her arm a playful shove. Not too hard, though—she was cooking, after all.

“What?” She batted her eyelashes at me, her eyes wide. “Did I say anything?”

“You didn’t have to.” I crossed my arms and leaned against the counter.

She shook her head. “Only you would break the law and get that guy in return. If I did that, I’d end up with a troll. The kind that yells at you to get them a beer while they scratch themselves on your couch.”

I rolled my eyes and moved to grab the popcorn bowl out of the cabinet. “Please. You’d toss that guy out on his ear. Your track record hasn’t been that bad. You know, besides Dad.”

“Your dad was enough,” Mom muttered.

“I heard you went on a date recently,” I said. “How was it?”

“I don’t know. It wasn’t a crash and burn, but he wasn’t my usual type, and I can’t see a future, you know?”

“What do you mean?” I held the bowl until Mom needed it, cradling it to my chest.

She blew a lock of hair away from her face. “He took me to the opera.” She mumbled it, so I had to lean in to catch it all.

“He took you to the opera? What an asshole.”

She mock glared at me. “And out to a fancy restaurant downtown. There were real linens and candles and no prices on the menu.”