Page 109 of My Big Fat Shifter Wedding

I loved sharing everything Keith had introduced me to with my family, and although I had fewer than ten of them present, I hoped they would spread the word about whatever they ended up liking.

A knock sounded on the door. That was odd. Was the music too loud?

I didn’t think so, but I couldn’t think of another reason someone would be at the door, so I got up to check. Amanda was squealing and trying not to cry because she was holding Rosemary in one arm and Oregano in the other. Both dogs were nuzzling her cheeks.

As soon as I dealt with whoever was at the door, I was so going to grab my camera to record some of that. As one could imagine, the adorable scene distracted me, so I didn’t even think to scent who was behind the door until I opened it and was greeted by an incredibly jacked gentleman dressed in jeans and a flannel shirt so tight they might as well have been painted on.

“Uhm, hello?” I asked, wondering if he had the wrong Airbnb. Belatedly, I remembered to use my nose, but I couldn’t smell any alcohol on his breath.

“I’m on the lookout for some wood to chop, and I got a call that this might be the perfect place for me to find it,” the man said, clicking his tongue and giving me a wink in a way I was sure worked for him often, but all I could do was stare at him with the banal disgust that came when a particularly misbehaved pet ruined something because of their owner’s negligence.

“Excuse me?”

Only then did the other ladies in the room seem to notice I was having a conversation at the door, and Ginna let out a squeal I hadn’t heard since her third boyfriend bought my sister her very first Tesla.

“He’s here! Hit the music!”

At that, my cousin Maria quickly changed the music on her phone, blasting what I supposed was meant to be sexy music but mostly reminded me of awkward high school dances.

“Hey there, ladies, aren’t you a sight for sore eyes,” he said, sauntering in. I let him, because it made the man move farther away from me. I wasn’t repulsed in any way, and I got the fun of hiring a stripper, but I was wholly uninterested. “Now, who here is the head lady of the establishment?”

I could practically sense the way they were all going to point at me, so I crossed my arms and sent them the deadliest glare I could muster. “Don’t you even fucking think about it.”

Ginna seemed surprised by that. Even though she was fun and kind, she didn’t really get me. Serafina emphatically shook her head. More gazes went to Amanda, and for a moment I was worried she felt like she’d have to out herself, but she sat back drunkenly with Rosemary and Oregano.

“Sorry, my hands are already full.”

Thankfully, Olivia-Two decided to take one for the team. “Me! I’m the birthday girl!”

“Well, I’ll be. Thank you for your graciousness, ma’am. The least I could do is... repay your hospitality.”

And suddenly his shirt exploded.

At least, that’s how it looked. While I appreciated the aesthetic of his rippling muscles and striated abs, it made me want my man. My Keith, who had biceps bigger than my head and thighs like tree trunks. His stomach showed that he was strong enough to throw around someone like me but also liked to eat. He was a strong man, my own personal Thor, so why would I ever accept a lesser substitute?

My gaze landed on Serafina. She looked a combination of mortified and exhausted. I gave a little wave, drawing her attention to me, and the two of us had a conversation without saying a word.

We were quite different. She got her joy from being a housewife, and I got my joy from all the new things I was trying. Still, we shared common ground.

A moment later, the two of us were outside, the cool night air a gentle kiss against the heat of our cheeks. I waited while she called Cillian to come pick her up. When she ended the call, I made sure to give her a hug.

“What’s this for?” she asked, and although she still looked very exhausted, there was a sweetness to her features as well.

“Do I need a reason to hug my big sister?”

“No, but for most of our relationship, I’ve been the one hugging you. Or need I remind you that I used to chase you around the house trying to love on you when we were kids?”

“That’s because you were sappy and gross, and I was too cool to ever show such weakness as loving my own sibling.”

“Sounds about right.” We shared a chuckle at that, and it was such a soft and sweet moment. The past two years of my life had been a whirlwind roller coaster. While I was having fun and never wanted the night to end, it was important to slow down occasionally and just… be.

But after a few minutes, and several truly interesting squeals from inside the Airbnb that were borderline concerning, Serafina turned to me with love radiating out of her so palpably I could scent it in her pheromones.

“I know it hasn’t been the easiest bringing a human into our fold, but I want you to know that I’m really, really happy for you.”

I smiled, reaching over to squeeze her hand. “You know what? I am too.”

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