The Birthday Bear by Holly Day

Author:Holly Day [Day, Holly]
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9781685505981
Publisher: JMS Books LLC
Published: 0101-01-01T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter 12

"We need another party." Quillian was leaning his elbows on the baker's table, getting flour on his forearms.

"Why?" Gabe glanced up from the brioches he was braiding for an order for this evening. A woman would be by to pick them up right before closing time.

"Because Rook is moping, and I want to hear Riley talk about stupid books again."

"And a party would help?" Gabe glanced at the clock on the wall. He didn't know when Riley ended his shift, but he kept hoping he'd show up around every full hour. He had to come soon.

"Yes! A few drinks, a few laughs, some good food, maybe even cake."

"You realize we've had a party every damn week lately, and we never have parties." Normally, Gabe would have turned him down the moment the word party was out of his mouth, but if he could get Riley to come to the house again...

"Yes, and see how much better everything has been."

Gabe grimaced because apart from getting to touch Riley, not much had changed. Or more like Rook had turned into a shadow of his former self, and Gabe had no idea why. He didn't think it was the crappy one-night stand. "Maybe ask Rook if a party is what he wants."

"I don't think he knows what he wants."

Gabe nodded. Sometimes you got stuck in a rut. They'd moved here, they'd bought the house, and they'd opened the bakery, but since they wanted some security, they didn't want everyone working in the same place. So, Rook had taken a bartender job. It wouldn't help them if the business failed. Rook's pay wasn't enough to cover the bills, but it was something. They'd made sure they weren't intruding on any other shifters' territory. Conflict wasn't what they wanted. All they wanted was to live their lives without having to fight for their existence, and they'd come a long way, but maybe it had been wrong to have Rook work in another place.

The rest of them were together several days a week, but Rook was often left out. And it wasn't because they didn't want to include him, but they kept different hours, and often they talked about little things that happened during the day, which he hadn't been part of. Gabe grimaced. Fuck. But could they afford to hire Rook too? Did he want to work here?

The bakery was doing okay, but he wasn't sure it could support them all. Especially not if they wanted to have Riley working more--and they did.

"What do you think?"

"About?" Gabe looked at Quillian.

"About what I said." Quillian glared at him. "You didn't listen, did you?"

Gabe grimaced and placed one of the braided breads in a baking pan.

The back door opened, and both Gabe and Quillian turned to it. When Riley stepped in, Gabe grinned.

"What do you think, Rye?" Quillian took a step in his direction.

"About?" Riley looked confused, and given he'd crossed the threshold only moments ago, he had the right to be.

"About having a party."

Riley scrunched his face.

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