18. Anders

Chapter 18

Anders

"This is exciting." Brett closed the picnic basket and picked it up, while I grabbed a second basket and cushions.

Choccie wagged his tail.

"I'm sorry to disappoint you, little man, but you're going to Jonah and Kyle's for the evening."

Much as we adored our four-legged boy, if he came with us, he'd have to be on a lead, and he'd want all the food and for us to play with him. Better if he was with Jonah's kids who would give him lots of attention.

"Just don't pee or spit up or worse, poop in the house or Jonah might faint." Though since having kids, Jonah wasn't quite as much of a neat freak—sorta.

Brett took Choccie out before we got in the car and dropped him off. He didn't give us a backward glance as he raced inside with the kids, his tail was wagging.

"I thought he might at least spill a tear." I leaned on the steering wheel, peering at the front door Jonah had closed.

"Yeah, there wasn't even a whimper."

We shared a glance. "What's wrong with us? Choccie's happy, and we wanted him to be sad?" I rested my head on the steering wheel and laughed, my shoulders heaving.

"Let's go before he hears us and starts howling."

I left the car near the community center, and we wandered into the park, holding hands.

"Do you think we have enough stuff?" Brett had the blanket tucked under his arm and lifted the huge picnic basket with one hand. "Feels as though we're going on an expedition."

"We could pitch a tent and live here for a few weeks until the food runs out."

"But we'd have to go home for showers ‘cause ewww at being stinky and sweaty."

That I agreed with one hundred percent.

Pushing through the thick vegetation near the waterfall, we chose a spot where we wouldn't get sprayed by water. Though Waylon and Daxon had shifted here before they mated, it wasn't suitable for a unicorn who needed more space to gallop. Besides, if a snow leopard whizzed past a human, they'd probably scream and alert animal control. But if they spied a unicorn, that might create an international incident.

But tonight we weren't shifting; we were just us, Anders and Brett, spending time together as mates.

With the blanket on the grass, the cushions scattered and two camping lamps for light, we opened the baskets. We'd each made or bought food that we thought the other would enjoy. But before I could bring out anything, Brett put a hand on my arm.

"Let's do one at a time. You first."

I pulled out the vegan sausage rolls.

"For me?"

I nodded. "Made with mushrooms and a lot of spices."

"Yum. Can't wait to try one." He popped one in his mouth. "I think I just did." His eyes lit up as he chewed. "I need the recipe."

"Sorry, I bought them from the vegan deli." I pointed to his basket. "Your turn."

Brett bought out a spinach quiche, and I took a bite of one slice. Buttery pastry, creamy feta, and sweet spinach. Perfect for outdoor eating.

We tried to outdo one another as we brought out the salads, pastas, sandwiches, dips, and fruit by yelling, "Ta-da!"

Brett lay on his side, a hand propping up his chin, and popped a grape in his mouth. "This is the life. I never imagined growing up I'd be so… at peace."

My heart swelled with happiness. My mate was in a good place, and his beast was seemingly adjusted to this new life. While he and my snow leopard might not be besties, they rubbed along together, each respecting the other's choices.

"Look!" Brett sat up and pointed upward. "A falling star."

I squinted. Not wanting to dampen his enthusiasm, I didn't point out it was a tiny rock shooting through the atmosphere.

"Make a wish," I told him.

Brett reached for my hand. "Nope. I don't need any more luck. I have you, the love of my life, and if finding you was part luck, part serendipity, I'm not tempting fate by asking for more than my fair share."

Blinking away tears, I leaned over the food, and we kissed. That was the sweetest thing. He was right. We had a good life, a great one even.

"I love you," I mumbled against his lips and licked off some beetroot dip.

"Awww. That's my first ‘I love you.'"

I tilted my head. "Wasn't it mine? I said it." I was hoping he was going to say it back.

"But I'm the receiver so it's my first." He sniggered.

"Okay if you say so." I made a face.

"But I love you too." We kissed again. "We'll always remember our first I love you." He held up his drink to the sky. "Enjoy your journey."

"Enjoy the journey." I said that as much to myself as to the speck of sand streaming across the night sky.

"I miss Choccie." Brett got his phone out.

"Please tell me you're not calling him." Our dog kinda went bonkers when he heard our voices, and he loved video conferencing. He was also a big soccer fan and he'd spend hours watching a match on the TV.

"No, I was hoping Jonah had sent an update." He scrolled through his messages. "What if he's pining for us?"

"He and the kids are probably running riot, and when he gets tired, I told Jonah to turn on the TV. He's fine."

My phone dinged, and we looked at one another. Gods, had the universe been listening in to our conversation and decided to mess with us? I clicked the image from Kyle. It was Choccie lying on his back, mouth open and eyes closed. The caption read, He's exhausted .

Brett took my phone and enlarged the image. Knowing him, he was checking for any injuries.

"He's fine," I repeated and held my hand out for the phone. "Turning it off." Brett's brows shot up. "Okay, it's on silent." The vibrating would alert us to any messages or calls.

My mate studied the moon. "Human legends associate unicorns with the moon."

"Is there any truth to that?" Perhaps the moon played a part in getting us together.

Brett shrugged. "My beast thinks the full moon rebuilds his strength, and he likes to bathe beneath its beams."

I had to see that. Even my snow leopard took note and commented that the unicorn's body would shimmer under the moonlight.

Magical , I told him.

"But humans think the crescent moon is shaped like my beast's horn." He took another chocolate muffin and stuffed it in his mouth, crumbs tumbling over his shirt.

I preferred Brett's beast's version.

"Wanna be naughty?" My mate stood up and pulled his tee over his head.

"Here? Now? What if someone comes by?" This park was popular with families and kids.

"Not sex, silly. A swim under the waterfall. Keep your underwear on. This is not X-rated."

Brett dived into the water, and I followed after tossing off my clothes. Gods, it was so cold. Goosebumps sprawled over my skin as the cold water sent shockwaves through my body.

I surfaced and yelled, "It's freezing."

"Yes. That's the point, to wake us up and feel something!"

I feel plenty, and I didn't need a bath in cold water. My beast was less than impressed.

"We're alive, Anders, and it's so good." Brett smacked his forearms onto the water.

I wasn't as enthusiastic as my mate, but I copied him and tilted my head back, scrutinizing the moon and imagining a unicorn dancing under the moonlight.

Brett climbed out and outstretched his hand.

"I thought we were celebrating life," I said as he pulled me out.

"We are, we did. You think I want to stay in that cold water until my bits shrivel and my fingers are pruney?"

"We didn't bring towels." I jumped from one foot to another, trying to keep warm.

"Good thing we have the blanket." We put the leftovers in the baskets and wrapped the blanket around us as we walked awkwardly to the car.

"Who's going in to collect Choccie?" I pulled up outside Jonah and Kyle's. We were both wet and hadn't gotten dressed.

But someone must have seen the car. The front door opened and our puppy barreled out, barking at the gate. Brett raced out, clad in the blanket and his briefs.

"No time to talk, Jonah. Thanks."

"Must have been some date night," our friend commented.

"The best," I agreed. "You're staying at my place tonight, right?" It was a silly question because Brett spent most nights at my house.

Choccie lay on the bathroom floor as we showered and got into our PJs, and she joined us in bed, after having a mouthful of muffin.

"Where are we going for our next date night?" I asked as the dog wormed her way under the covers.

"Let's make it a full moon," Brett suggested.

I shivered, wondering if the moon did possess powers, meant only for a unicorn.