a small warehouse on the edge of town where we keep our tools. You’re welcome to use anything as long as we don’t need it.” He stood up. “I should get going and let you two get settled. I have an early start tomorrow, but I’ll try to pop by the hotel and check up on you, Elise.”
“Don’t worry if you’re busy. I’ll be fine. And I don’t want Ivan to feel pressure from you being there. I can look after myself.” Elise got up and followed him to the front door.
“Call me if you need me.” He opened the door and stepped outside. Elise followed, walking him to his truck.
“What an incredible night.” She stared up at the huge moon that hung over the bay.
“A wishing moon.” He looked down at her, the moon reflected in her eyes as she stared at it. “Perhaps tomorrow we could go make a wish.”
She switched her attention to him and stood on tiptoes as she leaned forward and pressed her lips against his. “I already have.”
Before he could answer, she spun around and ran lightly back to the house. With one last look at him, she waved then closed the door, leaving him moonstruck.
Chapter Eleven – Elise
“Are you sure you don’t mind me taking the car?” Elise gulped down the cup of coffee Karros had poured her and bit into the piece of toast he’d insisted she ate before she left for the hotel.
“I’m sure. I have plenty to do around here until you get back later.” He came closer, leaning against the counter next to her. “You’re doing it, Elise. You’re going out there and making your dreams come true.”
“I wish it didn’t feel so horrible.” She placed her hand on her stomach as it gurgled loudly. “I’m going to put people off their breakfast.”
“You’ll be fine once you get into it. It’s always nerve-racking when you start something new.” He sighed and folded his arms across his body. “Or end something old.”
“You mean your love for Flora?” She took another bite of toast and ignored her stomach as it rolled over.
“I don’t think my love for Flora has ended. Only my hope that we’ll one day be together.” His mouth turned down at the corners. “I lay awake last night going over it all. I couldn’t sleep thinking of how she’s better off with Aiden. He’ll make her happier than I ever could because they are meant to be together.”
“And you’re going to be okay with that?”
“Yes.” He shrugged. “I have no choice, do I?”
“No, I don’t suppose you do. A mate is for life. Barring some kind of tragic accident, and I know you wouldn’t ever wish that on anyone, Flora is going to marry Aiden and raise a family with him.” She forced the last of the toast into her mouth, and then washed it down with the remains of her coffee. “And now you’ve realized that you’re ready to move on and find the love of your life.”
She jabbed her finger into his shoulder as she placed her cup on the counter. It was time to leave. She didn’t want to be late for her first shift at the hotel and even though the journey to town was straightforward, last night she’d dreamt she’d gotten lost on the way and ended up back in the fae realm.
“Maybe. But I’ve decided to take a leaf out of your book.”
“You have?” Elise asked suspiciously as she gathered up her purse and the keys to her brother’s car.
“Yes. I need to figure out what I’m going to do with my life. Your passion is cooking, mine is yardwork. So, I’m thinking, once I have finished the yard here, I’m going to start a business.”
“Wow.” She blew out a long breath. “Here in Wishing Moon Bay?”
“Yeah.” He nodded slowly. “If this is where you are and hopefully, my nieces and nephews are, then this is where I want to be.”
“No pressure on me to have kids then?” She smoothed her hands over her hair which she’d pulled back in a tight ponytail.
“You have a mate, you have always wanted children, unless there’s some reason you can’t have children, why would you deny yourself?” Karros paused. “And deny Caleb.”
“I am not getting into this right now.” Elise headed for the door. “I need to focus on my job.”
“I’m sorry.” Karros followed her to the door. “I shouldn’t have brought it up this morning. I just want you to be happy.”