Page 43 of Miles's Pact
Fifteen
Duckie
I couldn't stop thinking about yesterday.
I didn't think I'd ever had as much fun in a single day, and it was all because of Miles. He'd planned the perfect first date, if such a thing existed.
After our swim, we'd shifted back and enjoyed a nice dinner on the picnic blanket, surrounded by the sound of rustling leaves and crickets, the breeze cool and thick with the scent of moss and wet earth. Out there—Miles had later told me we were on the pack's land—surrounded by trees, I'd felt like it was just us in the world.
We'd talked for a while, about things big and small. Miles had told me more about the time they'd spent as prisoners of the dark witches, while I'd shared some of the more dicey situations I'd ended up in pretending to be a common duck.
By the time we'd made it home, Mateo had already turned in, and so had Snowball. Miles had walked me to his room, and we'd lingered there for a long moment before I'd chickened out, wished him a good night, and escaped into his room as my heart tried its best to leap out of my chest.
I'd wanted to kiss him so badly, and yet I'd been unable to do it. I wasn't sure what had held me back. Was it first-time jitters, or was I afraid of something else?
"Earth to Duckie, you there?"
I blinked, then shook my head to remind myself that last night was over, and I was here now with Mateo. "Sorry, what did you say?"
Grinning, Mateo threw the ball toward me, and I caught it as Snowball raced after it, pawing at my feet as his eyes stayed latched onto the ball.
"I was asking how your date went, but the dreamy look on your face is answer enough."
Heat raced up my cheeks as I ducked my head, which made him chuckle. I threw the ball at him, and he caught it before it could hit him in the chest as Snowball ran toward him.
"It was great." I relented once I'd calmed down, and Mateo's smile softened.
"I'm glad to hear that. Miles was nervous about it."
"He was?"
"Of course. You're his mate. He wanted to make a good impression."
Knowing I hadn't been the only anxious one was soothing.
"Mateo," I started to say, remembering the worry I'd pushed away yesterday. I didn't feel right talking to Miles about it, but it seemed easier to discuss with Mateo.
"Yeah?"
"Do you think I might be able to get a job? I mean, I don't know much, so I don't know if I'm even qualified for anything, but..."
Brows furrowing, Mateo walked over to me as he threw the ball toward the edge of the backyard for Snowball to chase. Climbing the deck, he sat down before patting the space beside him, and I quickly joined him, angling my body so I could see his face.
"Can I ask why you want a job?"
I pursed my lips, then shrugged. "It's what you're supposed to do as an adult, isn't it? Have a job, be independent?" I asked, then sighed. "And... well, you and Miles have been taking care of me since you found me, and that doesn't seem fair."
Mateo was quiet for a moment, and I turned my gaze to Snowball, smiling as I watched him entertain himself with the ball. I was glad he was doing okay. Mateo had said he'd been a little malnourished, but Raphael had healed him and now he was perfectly healthy.
"Duckie, you don't have to worry about that," Mateo said, and I opened my mouth to protest, but he patted my knee. "Let me finish. If you want to get a job because you're feeling bored or aimless, that's different. But money isn't an issue for us. Our dad has alotof money. He's the only living Romanov—one of the most powerful mage families to ever exist—and has more money than he'd ever be able to spend in a supe lifetime. He set up funds for Micah, My, and me, and that's what we use for most expenses."
"What about your jobs at the B&B and the haunted house?" I asked, since I'd assumed that was how they made money.
Mateo shrugged. "We don't exactly charge for that. I mean, we did go to design school, and we treat our work seriously, but Cam and Neel, they're family. Part of the clan. We do it because we like the work, not for the money."
That was a lot to absorb, but it did make me feel a little less uncertain. While I still wanted to contribute more to our bond, maybe it didn't have to involve money. I could do something else to show my commitment to my mates. I just needed to figure out what.
"Feel better?" he asked as he nudged my side with his elbow, and I nodded, shooting him a smile.
