Page 75 of Paws & Order

“The flowers were Emily’s idea.”

At the mention of her name, the kitchen shifts gently, like a breeze through an open window. A woman appears beside him—soft-eyed and beautiful in a pale blue dress, with a smile that reminds me of blossoms.

“Hello, Liza.”

I blink, then wave, because apparently this is fine now.

“Hi.”

Emily’s laugh rings out, bright and musical. Theodore gazes at her as though she is the only person in the world, his love-struck look undimmed by death.

“The blue flowers were her favorite.”

She rolls her eyes. “They still are.”

Their tender exchange makes something ache in my chest—not sadness, but a sweet ache of hope.

“You were trying to bring us together?” I ask.

Theodore clears his throat.

“Well—”

Emily grins. “He was.”

“I merely made suggestions,” he adds.

“You left pastries.”

“You seemed stressed.”

“You watched me.”

His expression softens, and suddenly I understand—not just the haunting or the gifts, but him.

“You thought I was lonely?”

Theodore nods. “So did Emily.”

My throat tightens. He isn’t wrong. I had been lonely—before Cassian, before all of this—before someone looked at me as though I were the best thing that had ever happened to him.

“You looked how I felt,” Theodore says quietly, “and after a while, I couldn’t ignore it.”

Emily reaches for his hand, their fingers lacing together.

“I missed my chance,” he admits, eyes drifting first to her, then to me. “We missed ours.”

“At least while we were alive,” Emily says gently.

His smile overflows with love. “We were fortunate enough to find each other again.”

Emily squeezes his hand. “And we didn’t want you two making the same mistake.”

We fall silent. The apartment is warm and peaceful as Blackthorn Bay wakes outside. Inside, something at last feels complete.

Theodore glances toward the hallway.

“I believe your werewolf is awake.”