Page 90 of The Sasquatch and the Hairdresser

“Forty years since Rowan and Baxter dated? He was serious about that? He looks younger than me,” he murmurs.

“Many Otherkind species age differently than humans,” I whisper.

“I didn’t realize mages had slower aging as well, though.”

“It’s from their fae lineages,” I explain. I covertly glance over to where Rowan, Max, Sylvia, and Astraea are doing a more detailed review of the portal with Rowan. “Based on his appearance and the size and strength of his familiar, I wouldn’t be surprised if one of his genetic makeup includes at least fifty percent fae. If that’s the case, it means he might live several hundred years or so.”

Skylar’s eyes nearly bug out of his head. “Holy shit, I think I need to start reading some of those books Max’s husband writes. That’s insane and way cool.”

With hearing to rival a hellhound’s, Max immediately springs to attention at the mention of Targan. He practically skips around the portal and back our way, Waffles hot on his heels.

“My hulkalicious honey’s books are amazing, Skylar, and so informative. Anything you might want to know about Otherkind and their history, he’s got you covered. I can lend you a few if you’d like.”

I’m distracted from the conversation when Rowan gets down on his knees and uses some kind of chalk to draw intricate runes at four directional points underneath the portal.

“This is just like a scene in Ryder’s book, Secretly Married to the Mage,” I say out loud before I can stop myself.

Watching a mage in action is quite fascinating.

“OMG, you’re right!” Max squeals. “When Nox draws those runes to create a protective ward on the tunnel he and Julius use to escape the city.”

“Oh, yes! That one was highly enjoyable,” adds Kassiel. “Especially when Julius stole the map from the villain and they got to the treasure first.”

“Ryder told me he plans on writing a story for Nox’s djinn friend, too,” says Akram. “There aren’t enough romances that accurately represent my people, but I’m confident he can do us justice.”

Seeing the support our town has for my friend’s books always makes me happy.

“Do you guys have a romance book club going on or something?” Skylar asks, dropping that amazing idea bomb on us.

Kassiel, Max, Akram, and I all swivel our heads in unison to gape at him.

Max recovers first, to no one’s surprise. “OMG, yassss! We simply must make our spontaneous book conversations official, babydolls. One book a month should be doable, right?”

“I’ll talk to Yuki. I know he’d be thrilled to join as well as organize our club,” Kassiel says, clearly enthused. “We could even meet at his library when we have our monthly book talk.” His eyes sparkle. “It’ll be yet another way for us to bond over something he loves, namely books.”

“I’m not sure I want to be in a club with you,” Akram grumbles, eyeing Kassiel coolly.

Kassiel grins unrepentantly. “We’re going to become such good friends, just wait and see.”

Akram scoffs.

“And I can bring baked goods for us to enjoy while we talk,” Max says gleefully.

“We should invite Cumar,” I say, really warming to this plan. “He and I often have enjoyable conversations about new romances we discover. We could even meet up at his coffee shop sometimes.”

“That’s brilliant,” Max says, practically bouncing on his toes. “And it’ll be so nice to have a special time for us to all geek out together to look forward to!”

I turn to Skylar. “See, I told you, you’re super smart. Thanks for giving us such a wonderful idea.”

He runs a hand through his hair and gives me an embarrassed smile. “It’s cool. But since I came up with the club idea, I should get a free invite to join, don’t you think?”

I beam at him. “Consider yourself a founding member, sweetheart.”

Rowan doesn’t seem to hear any of us, he’s so focused on what he’s doing. Once he’s satisfied with his work, he rests a hand on his familiar’s neck and levers himself back up with a wince.

I notice Baxter watching and frowning with that obvious concern of his.

Yes, Rowan coming here is ultimately going to be a good thing—not just for our town, but for him and for Baxter. I’m sure of it. If nothing else, they clearly need some kind of closure on their past.