I laughed, shaking my head, and it only took a few seconds for him to join in. “I love you too.”

With a smile only someone six cocktails deep could pull off, he rested his hand on top of mine, squeezing lightly. “I’m happy for you, Lu, and I really hope you find him and that he lives up to your expectations, but keep me updated. Send a letter, or a pigeon, I don’t care. Just keep us in the loop, okay?”

“I will.” I smiled, my chest feeling all warm and toasty. I would make more of an effort to visit when we returned from the Outerlands. I’d make plans to spend more one-on-one time with Alex, like we used to before our mates came along. I loved it being the four of us, our little family, but it was also nice to be alone with him and talk about everything and nothing.

It was almost like therapy.

Cair and Teighan wandered back in from their stint upstairs, and I couldn’t help but watch as Tee strode up to my best friend, wrapped an arm around his waist, and leaned in to kiss him. As if their time apart had been too long. It was adorable, and though they were both total softies underneath, this level of romance was definitely not something I had expected from either of them. But seeing Alex’s genuine smile as he gazed up at the grumpy Fae and the look of pure adoration he got in return was heartwarming. They loved each other, that was plain to see, and it was good to know that they were both finally getting the care they needed.

And deserved.

“You two are disgustingly cute,” I observed, and their eyes snapped to me.

Teighan glared, but Alex grinned. “If you tell anyone, we’ll kill you. Or he will, and I’ll just sit here and finish sipping my Dutch Oven.”

“Duchess of Fern.” Tee corrected him with a fond eye roll, and Alex waved him off.

“Whatever.”

“Oh, believe me, I won’t have to tell anyone,” I scoffed. “It’s like a horned-up romcom in here. Anyone with a good nose and a lick of sense could tell you’re an item. I’m surprised Alex doesn’t have you wearing matching sweaters, at this point. I’m a little disappointed in that fact, actually.”

My friend raised a finger, opening his mouth as if to correct my statement, but Teighan piped up instead. “You’re one to talk,” he grumbled, crossing his arms over his chest. Alex gave him an appreciative once-over. “As if the months I spent smelling yours and my brother’s unresolved sexual tension wasn’t bad enough, I had to disinfect and fumigate the entire office before I could even sit down and do paperwork.”